Esthetics

How to Get an Esthetician Certification

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If the world of skincare, skin treatments, and beautifying the world through relaxing and powerful esthetics work is of interest to you, you may be wondering what it will take to get from daydreaming about the possibilities to actually practicing your trade as a licensed esthetician. While the requirements will vary a little state to state and program to program, here is an overview of what you can expect when you decide to pursue a career in esthetics (sometimes known as aesthetics).

Step 1: Esthetician Program at Tricoci University

Throughout the course of your esthetics program, you will learn everything you need to start your career confidently. At Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, we focus on ensuring you have all the technical and trade skills necessary as well as the business knowledge that will help you succeed in the beauty industry long after your program ends. But what, exactly, do you learn in an esthetician program? Here’s a breakdown.

Our esthetician program is broken down into two separate levels of curriculum, with our advanced course building upon the foundational knowledge and skills you learn in the first, essentials course.

Our essentials course takes 6 weeks to complete as a full time student, or 12 weeks if you are attending as a part-time student. During this phase of the program, you will learn essential skills across two critical areas of education (theory and practical). Specifically, you’ll learn:

Esthetics Theory:

  • Personal Development
  • Client Care
  • Understanding the Client Consultation Card
  • Product Knowledge
  • Facials
  • Skin Care Center Ecology
  • Electricity and Electrical Equipment
  • Skin Physiology
  • Hair Removal
  • Makeup
  • Advanced Treatments

Practical Esthetics:

  • Massage
  • Skin Analysis
  • Basic Facial
  • Back Treatments
  • Advanced (machine) Facials
  • 8 in 1 machines
  • Eye, Lip and Décolleté Treatments
  • Facial and Body Waxing (Brazilian not included)
  • Evening Makeup Applications
  • Individual Eyelash Application (not lash extensions)
  • Body polish
  • Detox wrap
  • Chemical exfoliation

After completing the essentials course, students will begin their advanced course. Our Advanced Esthetics Course consists of seven individual segments that students learn over the course of three weeks. During the Advanced course, students will learn:

Esthetics Theory:

  • Anatomy
  • Professional Development
  • Resume writing
  • Business Basics
  • Estheticians in the Medical Field
  • Chemistry
  • State Board Rules and Regs

Practical Esthetics:

  • Epidermabrasion
  • Microcurrent (passive exercise of muscles—non surgical face lift)
  • Ultrasound
  • Recovery (Acne) Facial
  • Eyelash and Eyebrow tinting
  • Theatrical and Editorial Makeup

Upon successfully completing the advanced course, you will earn a certificate in esthetics that allows you to pursue the state exam for licensing in your preferred state of employment.

Step 2: Training Hour Requirements for Estheticians

In order to qualify for your state’s licensure exam, you must meet a minimum number of required training hours. This number is different from state to state, but Tricoci University ensures that you meet or exceed these hour requirements before receiving your certificate. For interested students in Tricoci University’s service area, these are the training hours we provide:

  • Esthetics (750 hours) Curriculum – Illinois
  • Esthetics (700 hours) Curriculum – Indiana
  • Aesthetics (600 hours) Curriculum – Wisconsin

It’s important to note that the minimum number of hours required for the licensure exam in the state of Wisconsin is 450, but we provide the additional 150 hours of training based on the fervent belief that the additional hours will best prepare you for a successful career providing even advanced techniques and services as a licensed esthetician.

Each state’s regulatory board will have an outline of the requirements needed for an esthetics license, and we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the requirements in any state you want to practice in.

Step 3: Esthetician Exam Requirements

Before you can pursue an esthetician license in your desired state, you must first receive a certification that states you have successfully completed a full esthetics program. While our essentials program features only a practical exam to continue on to the advanced course, our advanced curriculum culminates in a written and practical exam that tests the skills and knowledge you learned in that curriculum. At Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, our exam requirements are as follows.

At the end of your essentials program, you will be tested on:

  • Facial Waxing
  • Body Waxing
  • Facial
  • Professionalism

At the end of your advanced program, you will be tested on:

  • Facial Waxing
  • Body Waxin
  • Facial
  • Express Facial
  • Makeup Application
  • Advanced Massage
  • Professionalism

Once you have passed the written and practical examinations following your advanced course, you’ll receive your certificate!

Step 4: Continuing Education

Continuing education requirements to maintain your esthetician license will vary depending on the state you choose to build your esthetician business in, but most states require a minimum number of hours spent over a specific amount of time in order to maintain your license in that state.

At Tricoci University, we focus heavily on providing an enriching environment that creates lifelong learners. We believe that the best estheticians, cosmetologists, and barbers are those that continue to learn, pursue new knowledge and training, and refine their skills over the course of their career.

Does Esthetician Licensing Vary by State?

Yes, esthetician licensing does vary by state. From the number of required hours to take the licensure examination to the requirements for continuing education to maintain it, each state has their own requirements. This is why you will often need to take the licensure examination in each state you wish to practice esthetics in.

Find an Esthetics Program Near You

Ready for the next steps, or want to learn more about what Tricoci University of Beauty Culture can do for your future as an esthetician? Contact us today or visit our campus directory to find the esthetics program in Illinois, Indiana, or Wisconsin that is nearest you.

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