Esthetician School: Cost, Requirements & Program Length

Esthetician School Resource Hub WRITTEN BY Beauty Schools Directory Editorial Staff | EDITED BY Sarah Mattie | UPDATED ON 05/23/2024

Welcome to the Esthetician School Resource Hub, where you can get answers to some of the big questions that pop up when considering a career in esthetics. Here, you'll learn about the basic requirements for most esthetician schools, what to expect from these programs, and how to find the best esthetician school for you.

• Learn more about esthetics careers
• Learn more about the cost of esthetics school

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What Is an Esthetician School?

Esthetician school teaches all about skincare. Esthetics, also called "aesthetics" or, occasionally, "esthiology," is one of the fastest-growing fields in America. As more people focus on self-care and wellness, they're looking for professionals dedicated to helping them improve their skin. That's where esthetician school graduates come in!

Start Your Journey! Find an Esthetician School Near You

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• D.C.
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Esthetician School Requirements

There are several prerequisites to becoming an esthetician. Education requirements vary by state, as do tuition costs, program length, training hours, exams, and other licensing requirements.

Most schools expect students to:

• Be at least 16 years of age or older
• Hold a high school diploma or GED
• Provide a valid photo ID for proof of identification
• Provide a social security card for proof of citizenship
• Take preliminary exam or aptitude test
• Pass a drug screening test

Some states may require an 8th-grade education and others may need you to be 17. An acceptable criminal record in one state may not be okay in another state. A few states have looser or no English requirements. So, check with your state's cosmetology board and your chosen program to see what you need to do.

What Is Esthetician School Like?

Esthetics training involves much more in-depth than simply learning about skincare. You should also learn about sanitation, human physiology, state laws, and business skills.

Esthetician school is a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical training. Students learn through classroom instruction and demonstrations before practicing their new skills on mannequins and then moving to real volunteers as they become comfortable with the tools and products.

Although most programs occur during the day, some offer evening and weekend classes. An esthetics student committing to a nearly full-time schedule may spend around 24 to 35 hours per week in and out of class, either studying or practicing esthetics.

How to be successful at beauty school?

How do I get licensed as an esthetician?

How long does esthetician school last?

Student Voices Series: Why I Became an Esthetician

What inspired me to pursue beauty as a career is seeing the way my services make people feel. There is no better joy than designing a look for someone and seeing them feel beautiful both inside and out. A traditional office setting does not seem to set my soul on fire like hands-on work and the connection that I make with clients.

–Abigail Nguyen (Haslet, TX)

Read more esthetician student inspiration stories

What Do You Learn in Esthetician School?

Esthetician school offers training in various aspects of skincare and beauty treatments. The specific curriculum can vary by school and program, but here are some common topics and skills that students typically learn in esthetics school:

Expect your hands-on training to cover:

• Skin Anatomy and Physiology
• Facial Treatments
• Hair Removal
• Makeup Application
• Eyelash and Eyebrow Services
• Chemical Peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Facial Massage
• Skin Analysis
• State Cosmetology Laws and Regulations
• Product Knowledge, including Chemistry
• Sanitation and Safety, including Bloodborne Pathogens
• Client Consultation
• Customer Service

Depending on your state and school, you may learn about more—or fewer—topics. Some common but not as universal subjects include microneedling or identifying signs of abuse or neglect.

Esthetician must-have tools

Typical courses in esthetician school

Do you enjoy skincare but want to go beyond that one piece of the beauty puzzle? Check out cosmetology school!

How Do I Know Which Esthetician School Is Right for Me?

Before you enroll in an esthetician school, make sure the program suits your goals and lifestyle. Attending esthetician school is a large commitment in terms of time, money, and effort.

When comparing esthetician schools, look for the following:

State Approval or Accreditation of Esthetics Schools

All approved schools must be recognized by the state in which they operate. A school that's not recognized by the state could put you at risk of having spent the money and getting nothing in return. Most states maintain a list of approved schools on their board websites.

Some schools are accredited in addition to being approved by the state. It's important to understand that state approval is different from accreditation. Not all state-approved schools are accredited, and that doesn't mean they're bad. Accreditation is an extensive and expensive process that not all schools can swing. However, there are major benefits to attending an accredited school, like knowing the school has undergone a rigorous review of educational quality by the accrediting agency and potentially having an easier time moving to a new state while keeping your license.

Some of the most common accreditation agencies in the beauty space include:

• National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
• Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
• Council on Occupational Education (COE)
• Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
• Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)

Program Reviews

Online student testimonials can help you determine if a program suits your needs. See how the program's reputation holds up over several online sources, such as Google reviews and Niche.com, and don't be afraid to contact the admissions team to ask questions or discuss your concerns.

That said, be smart when reading reviews! While overly glowing or majorly negative reviews may be more eye-catching, they could have ulterior motives. Look at the overall feelings more than anything else.

Research the School

Look at the school's published materials and for outside reviews and opinions. Most school catalogs and websites give program details, with vital information like tuition and fees, scholarships and other financial aid, job placement rates after graduation, and student-to-faculty ratios. Using these publications is an excellent place to start. Then, you can take your shortened list of schools and look for student reviews, relationships with nearby salons, what professionals or clients say about them online, and any other details.

Talk to Esthetician Graduates

No one knows whether a program is worth the price like its previous students. Speak to grads for first-hand advice and ask about the specialties that pique your interest.

Take a Tour

Visit the school in person if you can. Walk through the whole space, ensuring it meets state standards, seeing how students and teachers interact, and doing a general vibe check. If it meets your needs and feels like a good place for you, consider enrolling.

Talk to Enrollment Staff

Whether or not you are making a school visit, speak at length with the enrollment staff at any school you're considering. This is a good way to get all your questions answered and, again, do a gut check.

Esthetics programs are available at community colleges, independent esthetics schools, and cosmetology schools. A list of approved programs near you may be available on your state board of cosmetology or your state's education department websites. Alternatively, simply browse Beauty School Directory's comprehensive list of esthetician programs in your state.

Find an esthetician school near you

Esthetician apprenticeships

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Furthering Your Esthetician Career

Transition from cosmetology to skincare

CIDESCO licensing

Dual licenses for estheticians

NCEA certification