🧴 Esthetician License Requirements by State

Compare esthetician license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 50 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level esthetician license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $50–$50. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$50	$33,773
AKAlaska	Required	—	$50	$48,136
AZArizona	Required	—	$50	$37,655
ARArkansas	Required	—	$50	$32,608
CACalifornia	Required	—	$50	$53,571
COColorado	Required	—	$50	$41,925
CTConnecticut	Not Required	—	—	$44,643
DEDelaware	Required	—	$50	$38,820
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$50	$49,689
FLFlorida	Required	—	$50	$37,267
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$50	$36,102
HIHawaii	Required	—	$50	$52,407
IDIdaho	Required	—	$50	$36,490
ILIllinois	Required	—	$50	$40,761
INIndiana	Required	—	$50	$35,326
IAIowa	Required	—	$50	$34,549
KSKansas	Required	—	$50	$34,549
KYKentucky	Required	—	$50	$34,549
LALouisiana	Required	—	$50	$34,938
MEMaine	Required	—	$50	$37,655
MDMaryland	Required	—	$50	$42,313
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$50	$47,360
MIMichigan	Required	—	$50	$36,490
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$50	$40,372
MSMississippi	Required	—	$50	$32,220
MOMissouri	Required	—	$50	$34,938
MTMontana	Required	—	$50	$37,267
NENebraska	Required	—	$50	$34,938
NVNevada	Required	—	$50	$39,596
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$50	$40,372
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$50	$45,807
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$50	$35,326
NYNew York	Required	—	$50	$50,466
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$35,714
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$36,879
OHOhio	Required	—	$50	$35,714
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$50	$33,773
OROregon	Required	—	$50	$42,702
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$50	$38,043
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$50	$39,984
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$35,326
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$34,161
TNTennessee	Required	—	$50	$34,938
TXTexas	Required	—	$50	$36,490
UTUtah	Required	—	$50	$37,655
VTVermont	Required	—	$50	$39,208
VAVirginia	Required	—	$50	$39,596
WAWashington	Required	—	$50	$45,807
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$50	$33,385
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$50	$36,490
WYWyoming	Required	—	$50	$36,879

Common questions about esthetician licensing

Do all states require a esthetician license?

No — 50 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level esthetician license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a esthetician license?

Application fees across the states range $50–$50. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a esthetician license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.