Esthetician License Requirements by State (2026)

Every US state licenses estheticians separately. Required training ranges from 220 hours (Florida facial specialist) to 1,000 hours (Alabama, Georgia, Kansas), and most states require about 600. Below is each state's training-hour requirement with a link to its licensing board.

How licensing works

• Complete an approved esthetics program for your state's required hours, or an apprenticeship where allowed
• Pass the written exam and, in most states, a practical exam
• Apply to your state board and renew on its schedule, often with continuing education

Training hours and licensing boards by state

• Alabama: 1000 hours. Alabama Board of Cosmetology & Barbering
• Alaska: 350 hours. Alaska Division of Occupational Licensing
• Arizona: 600 hours. Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board
• Arkansas: 600 hours. Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology & Body Art
• California: 600 hours. California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology
• Colorado: 600 hours. Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure
• Connecticut: 600 hours. Connecticut Examining Board for Barbers, Hairdressers and Cosmeticians
• Delaware: 600 (1,200 apprenticeship) hours. Delaware Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
• Florida: 220 facial specialist / 400 full specialist hours. Florida Board of Cosmetology
• Georgia: 1000 hours. Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
• Hawaii: 600 (1,200 apprenticeship) hours. Hawaii Board of Barbering & Cosmetology
• Idaho: 600 hours. Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board
• Illinois: 750 hours. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Cosmetology & Esthetics
• Indiana: 700 hours. Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Cosmetology & Barber
• Iowa: 600 hours. Iowa Barbering & Cosmetology Licensure
• Kansas: 1000 hours. Kansas Board of Cosmetology
• Kentucky: 750 hours. Kentucky Board of Cosmetology
• Louisiana: 750 hours. Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology
• Maine: 600 (1,200 apprenticeship) hours. Maine Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing
• Maryland: 600 hours. Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists
• Massachusetts: 600 hours. Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering
• Michigan: 700 hours. Michigan Board of Cosmetology
• Minnesota: 600 hours. Minnesota Board of Cosmetology
• Mississippi: 600 hours. Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
• Missouri: 750 (1,500 apprenticeship) hours. Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
• Montana: 650 hours. Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
• Nebraska: 600 hours. Nebraska DHHS, Cosmetology and Esthetics
• Nevada: 900 hours. Nevada State Board of Cosmetology
• New Hampshire: 600 hours. New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics
• New Jersey: 600 hours. New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling
• New Mexico: 600 hours. New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
• New York: 600 hours. New York Department of State, Esthetics
• North Carolina: 600 hours. North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
• North Dakota: 600 hours. North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology
• Ohio: 600 hours. Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board
• Oklahoma: 600 hours. Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
• Oregon: 444 hours. Oregon Health Licensing Office, Board of Cosmetology
• Pennsylvania: 300 hours. Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
• Rhode Island: 600 hours. Rhode Island Department of Health, Barbering, Hairdressing and Cosmetology
• South Carolina: 600 hours. South Carolina Board of Cosmetology
• South Dakota: 600 hours. South Dakota Cosmetology Commission
• Tennessee: 750 hours. Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
• Texas: 750 hours. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
• Utah: 200 as of January 2026 (was 600) hours. Utah Division of Professional Licensing, Cosmetology
• Vermont: 500 hours. Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, Barbers and Cosmetologists
• Virginia: 600 hours. Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
• Washington: 750 hours. Washington State Department of Licensing, Cosmetology
• West Virginia: 600 hours. West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
• Wisconsin: 450 hours. Wisconsin Cosmetology Examining Board
• Wyoming: 600 hours. Wyoming Board of Cosmetology

Figures come from Associated Skin Care Professionals' state requirements list (last updated March 2025). Boards change rules often, so confirm the current requirement on your board's site before you enroll or apply.

Moving to another state

If you already hold a license, most states offer licensure by reciprocity or endorsement. See Esthetician license reciprocity for the steps.

Offering virtual consultations

A license is issued by one state, and most boards haven't written rules for video consultations. Read Virtual consultations across state lines before taking clients in other states.

Frequently asked questions

Which state requires the most esthetics training hours?

Alabama, Georgia and Kansas each require 1,000 hours, the most of any state on this list.

Which state requires the fewest hours?

Florida's facial specialist license requires 220 hours. Utah lowered its requirement to 200 hours starting January 2026.

Do I need a new license if I move?

Usually yes. Apply to your new state's board for licensure by reciprocity or endorsement; requirements vary.

This guide is general education, not legal advice. Esthetics rules are set state by state and change. Check with your state board of cosmetology or esthetics, and a licensed attorney, before making decisions for your business.

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