How Much College Does it Take to Become an Esthetician?

Estheticians, sometimes called aestheticians, are skincare specialists that provide services such as facials, microdermabrasion, cosmetic hair removal and consultation on how to apply makeup. Despite how their name sounds, they are not medical professionals. Estheticians do not have to attend college to begin their careers, but they must be licensed, which usually means completing a certain number of training hours and passing an exam. Some formal certificate and diploma programs are available to provide this training.

Required Training Hours

To become an esthetician, you must be licensed in the state in which you plan to work. You have to complete a certain number of training hours to become licensed, and the requirements vary by state. Most states require 600 hours in a qualified training program or working under the supervision of a licensed esthetician. Some states require less, such as Wisconsin with 400 hours and Oregon with 450 hours. Some states require 1,000 hours, including Georgia, Kentucky and Illinois. Some states, such as Utah and Virginia, offer a "master's license" for completion of additional hours.

Cosmetology School

Many estheticians choose to attend cosmetology school to receive their training. In addition to receiving training in skin care, they may also learn how to cut hair, provide hair color treatments or provide nail care. Cosmetology programs typically last about a year, and they include both classroom lectures and hands-on training on both dummies and live models. Some of these so-called "beauty schools" allow students to focus exclusively on esthetician training. Core concepts include providing skin care, consulting on skin issues, waxing and other hair-removal techniques, makeup techniques, and business promotion.

Community College Programs

Some community colleges offer diploma and certificate programs for students to receive the training they need to become licensed. The time commitment varies by program. At Central Carolina Community College, students get 640 hours of training and can finish in one or two semesters. At Durham Technical Community College, students meet four days a week for nine months to finish their training. Students get training in facials, peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, lash extensions, tinting and more. Some programs also offer additional training in a specific area of expertise, such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion.

Licensing Exam

Once students complete the required training, they must pass a state exam to receive their license.The exam consists of two sections: written and practical. Depending on the state, the written portion of the exam may include questions on state laws, safety and health issues, skin conditions and disorders, infection control, ingredient analysis and skin care procedures. Once you pass the written exam, you can schedule the practical exam, which will test you on preparation of your work area and specific procedures that you will be asked to perform, such as hair removal, facials and makeup application.

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