Every state sets its own minimum training hours for an esthetician license. Before you choose a program, it helps to know exactly what your state requires — and how Florida compares.
This page is a national reference table, not a Florida school guide. If you want a deeper look at how Florida's esthetician credential works and what to expect in a Florida program, see our Florida esthetician school guide.
How to read this table
Each row shows:
- State — the U.S. state or territory.
- License type — the credential name used by that state's licensing board.
- Required hours — the minimum clock hours of approved training required to apply for the credential.
- Licensing authority — the state agency that sets and enforces the requirement.
Hour requirements are set by state law or administrative rule and can change. Always verify the current requirement with the relevant state board before enrolling in a program.
Florida — where MedSpa Institute is licensed
Florida offers two distinct esthetician-track credentials:
| Credential | Required Training Hours | Licensing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Facial Specialist (Skin Care Specialist) | 220 clock hours | Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) |
| Full Specialist (full esthetics) | 260 clock hours | Florida DBPR |
MedSpa Institute — licensed by the Florida Commission of Independent Education (License #12816, Miami; License #12817, Tampa) — offers the Hybrid 220-Hour Facial / Skin Care Specialist Program, which meets the 220-hour requirement for the Facial Specialist credential. The program is 149 hours online and 71 hours in person, available at campuses in Miami and Tampa.
After completing an approved program, graduates apply for the Facial Specialist credential through registration with the Florida DBPR.
All 50 States: Required Esthetician Training Hours
Disclaimer: The figures below reflect publicly available state board requirements and are provided for general reference only. Requirements change. Verify current hours directly with your state's licensing board before enrolling.
| State | License Type | Required Hours | Licensing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Esthetician | 1,000 | Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering |
| Alaska | Esthetician | 350 | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing |
| Arizona | Esthetician | 600 | Arizona State Board of Cosmetology |
| Arkansas | Esthetician | 600 | Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering |
| California | Esthetician | 600 | California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology |
| Colorado | Esthetician | 600 | Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure |
| Connecticut | Esthetician | 600 | Connecticut Department of Public Health |
| Delaware | Esthetician | 600 | Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering |
| Florida | Facial Specialist | 220 | Florida DBPR |
| Florida | Full Specialist | 260 | Florida DBPR |
| Georgia | Esthetician | 1,000 | Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers |
| Hawaii | Esthetician | 600 | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs |
| Idaho | Esthetician | 600 | Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses |
| Illinois | Esthetician | 750 | Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation |
| Indiana | Esthetician | 700 | Indiana Professional Licensing Agency |
| Iowa | Esthetician | 600 | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing |
| Kansas | Esthetician | 1,000 | Kansas Board of Cosmetology |
| Kentucky | Esthetician | 1,000 | Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists |
| Louisiana | Esthetician | 500 | Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology |
| Maine | Esthetician | 600 | Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation |
| Maryland | Esthetician | 600 | Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists |
| Massachusetts | Esthetician | 300 | Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology |
| Michigan | Esthetician | 400 | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
| Minnesota | Esthetician | 600 | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry |
| Mississippi | Esthetician | 600 | Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology |
| Missouri | Esthetician | 750 | Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners |
| Montana | Esthetician | 650 | Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists |
| Nebraska | Esthetician | 600 | Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services |
| Nevada | Esthetician | 600 | Nevada State Board of Cosmetology |
| New Hampshire | Esthetician | 600 | New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification |
| New Jersey | Esthetician | 600 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling |
| New Mexico | Esthetician | 600 | New Mexico Cosmetology and Barbering Board |
| New York | Esthetician | 600 | New York Division of Licensing Services |
| North Carolina | Esthetician | 600 | North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners |
| North Dakota | Esthetician | 600 | North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology |
| Ohio | Esthetician | 600 | Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board |
| Oklahoma | Esthetician | 600 | Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering |
| Oregon | Esthetician | 260 | Oregon Health Licensing Office |
| Pennsylvania | Esthetician | 300 | Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology |
| Rhode Island | Esthetician | 600 | Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation |
| South Carolina | Esthetician | 450 | South Carolina Board of Cosmetology |
| South Dakota | Esthetician | 600 | South Dakota Cosmetology Commission |
| Tennessee | Esthetician | 750 | Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners |
| Texas | Esthetician | 750 | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation |
| Utah | Esthetician | 600 | Utah Division of Professional Licensing |
| Vermont | Esthetician | 600 | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation |
| Virginia | Esthetician | 600 | Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology |
| Washington | Esthetician | 600 | Washington Department of Licensing |
| West Virginia | Esthetician | 600 | West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists |
| Wisconsin | Esthetician | 450 | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services |
| Wyoming | Esthetician | 600 | Wyoming Board of Cosmetology |
What these numbers mean in practice
Hours vary widely. State minimums range from 220 hours (Florida Facial Specialist) to 1,000 hours (Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky). The most common requirement across states is 600 hours.
"Esthetician" means different things in different states. Some states use "esthetician," others use "aesthetician," "facial specialist," or "skin care specialist." The credential name is set by each state board — the underlying skills are similar.
Florida's two-tier structure is unusual. Most states have a single esthetician license. Florida separates the Facial Specialist credential (220 hours, focused on facial and skin care services) from the Full Specialist credential (260 hours, which adds body treatments). Knowing which credential aligns with your career goals helps you choose the right program.
More hours does not automatically mean a better program. Hour requirements set a floor, not a ceiling. What you learn within those hours — the curriculum, the hands-on practice, the equipment — matters as much as the total count.
Studying in Florida?
If you are considering a Florida program, MedSpa Institute offers the Hybrid 220-Hour Facial / Skin Care Specialist Program at campuses in Miami and Tampa. The program is structured as 149 hours online and 71 hours in person, so you can complete the online portion on your own schedule before coming in for hands-on training.
MedSpa Institute has been training skin care professionals since 2003 and is licensed by the Florida Commission of Independent Education.
Ready to learn more?
- View the program curriculum
- Book a campus tour — available weekday afternoons at both Miami and Tampa campuses
- Apply — it's free
- Call us: 813-99-STUDY
Frequently asked questions
How many hours do you need to become an esthetician in Florida?
Florida offers two esthetician-track credentials. The Facial Specialist (Skin Care Specialist) credential requires 220 clock hours of approved training. The Full Specialist credential requires 260 clock hours. Both are issued by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
Which state requires the most esthetician training hours?
Several states — including Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, and Kentucky — require 1,000 clock hours for an esthetician license. Requirements change, so always confirm the current figure with your state board.
Which state requires the fewest esthetician training hours?
Florida's Facial Specialist credential, at 220 clock hours, is among the lowest minimums in the country. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania both require 300 hours for a standard esthetician license.
Do esthetician hour requirements change?
Yes. State legislatures and licensing boards can update training-hour requirements through rulemaking. The figures in this table reflect publicly available information and should be verified with the relevant state board before you enroll in a program.
What is the difference between an esthetician and a medical esthetician?
"Medical esthetician" and "medical aesthetician" are two spellings of the same role. In Florida, there is no separate "medical aesthetician" license — the credential is the Facial Specialist (Skin Care Specialist), obtained by registration after completing an approved program. In other states, the path to working in a medical setting varies; check with your state board for specifics.
Does MedSpa Institute offer programs outside Florida?
MedSpa Institute operates in Florida, with campuses in Miami and Tampa. The Hybrid 220-Hour Facial / Skin Care Specialist Program is available at both locations.
Is it free to apply to MedSpa Institute?
Yes. Applying is free and no payment is required to enroll.