Question 1

Do I have to take a state exam?

Accepted Answer

No. Florida does not require a state board exam for the Facial / Skin Care Specialist registration. You complete the 220-hour program at an approved school, then register with the Florida DBPR.

Question 2

Do I need a license to do facials in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Yes. To perform facials professionally in Florida you need a facial specialist (or full specialist) license, earned through a Board-approved program plus a required 4-hour HIV/AIDS course. Florida does not require a state practical exam for facial specialists.

Question 3

Can I learn to inject Botox at MSI?

Accepted Answer

Injectable training is for licensed medical professionals. In Florida, RNs may inject only under the direct supervision of a physician; estheticians cannot inject and LPNs are not eligible. Our nurse and physician/NP/PA programs cover injectables within scope.

Question 4

Will I be ready to work as an injector after the esthetician tracks?

Accepted Answer

No — injectables are outside FL facial-specialist scope regardless of training. To inject in Florida you need to be (or become) an NP, PA, MD, or DO. Our Nurses program and MD/NP/PA training are the relevant pathways.

Question 5

What's the path for medical electrolysis and laser hair removal?

Accepted Answer

Medical electrolysis and laser hair removal in Florida require completing the Electrolysis + Laser Hair Removal program — 320 hours at a licensed school (e.g., Beauty & Health Institute). This is not an 80-hour training. MSI does not offer the 320-hour electrolysis/LHR program; we can refer you to partner schools.

Question 6

What if I'm new to Florida — can I transfer my out-of-state esthetician license?

Accepted Answer

Florida has reciprocity with many states; some require additional hours. We help walk this through during your first consult. Email licensing@msi.institute.

Question 7

Do certifications expire?

Accepted Answer

MSI certificates do not expire. The underlying Florida license requires biennial renewal with 16 hours of CE.

Question 8

Is MSI accredited and licensed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MedSpa Institute is licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE License #12817 Tampa, #12816 Miami) and is pursuing NACCAS accreditation. Graduates qualify for the Florida Facial / Skin Care Specialist registration.

Question 9

How long does it really take?

Accepted Answer

8 weeks full-time, or up to 10 weeks part-time. The 149 hours of didactic instruction are online and self-paced; the 71 hours of hands-on training happen at our Tampa or Miami campus on a schedule that works around working students.

Question 10

Is online training "real" training?

Accepted Answer

The online portion covers theory only — skin chemistry, contraindications, Florida laws & rules, sanitation, infection control. Every technique you'll use on a client is taught in person, on live models, at a working medspa.

Question 11

Is the hybrid format as rigorous as in-person only?

Accepted Answer

More rigorous. 149 hours of structured online theory you can revisit anytime, plus 71 hours of supervised hands-on with the highest faculty-to-student ratio in Florida. Same 220 clock hours required for state licensure — better retention.

Question 12

Can I take MSI programs online or hybrid?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Several MSI programs run as hybrid (online didactic + in-person clinical intensives in Tampa or Miami) and a few are fully online for theory-heavy CE tracks. Hands-on licensure paths still require in-person clinical hours at one of our two Florida campuses. Ask your admissions counselor which format fits your program.

Question 13

What's the difference between the Facial Specialist program and the MD injectable courses?

Accepted Answer

The Facial / Skin Care Specialist program leads to your Florida license. The MD-track courses (Aesthetic Injector Certification, Laser & Energy-Based Devices) are advanced clinical training for already-licensed medical professionals — RNs, NPs, PAs, MDs, DOs.

Question 14

Do I need a Florida license to take the nurse injector course?

Accepted Answer

No. Any active, unencumbered U.S. RN license qualifies you to train at MSI. A Florida license is only required to practice in Florida — out-of-state nurses are walked through either obtaining FL licensure or using a multistate/compact privilege. The training itself is open to RNs from any state.

Question 15

Is the cadaver lab required?

Accepted Answer

No. The Cadaver-Based Anatomy Intensive is an optional add-on in Miami with Dr. Arviv and visiting plastic-surgeon faculty — limited seats, subject to scheduling. The core injector pathway is complete without it.

Question 16

Do you cover lasers, microdermabrasion, or microneedling in the RN pathway?

Accepted Answer

This is an injector pathway, so the core is injectables. Microneedling (with PRP/PRF) is available as an add-on module. Lasers and microdermabrasion aren't part of the nurse injector track — those are covered in MSI's esthetics programs.

Question 17

Is the MD/NP/PA program board-recognized or ACGME-accredited?

Accepted Answer

No. There is currently no ACGME-recognized aesthetic medicine fellowship in the United States. Ours is a private postgraduate training program. CME accreditation is in progress — pursuing an accredited provider partnership.

Question 18

Is the surgeon fellowship board-recognized?

Accepted Answer

No formal board recognition exists for advanced aesthetic surgical training in the U.S. This is a private, CME-accredited postgraduate fellowship — the most rigorous of its kind in our judgment, taught surgeon-to-surgeon.

Question 19

What does it cost and how do I pay?

Accepted Answer

$6,000 all-in for the Facial / Skin Care Specialist program — no surprise fees. Which includes: Products Kits, Makeup kits, Eyelash extension kit. $1,500 down, monthly payments from $135, 0% APR for the first 12 months. MyCAA and VR&E benefits are accepted.

Question 20

Do you accept government grants?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MSI is approved for MyCAA (military spouse tuition assistance) and VR&E (VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment). Talk to admissions and we'll walk you through eligibility.

Question 21

Is tuition refundable if I withdraw?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on a prorated basis through week 4 of the program, per Florida DBPR refund schedule and our enrollment agreement. The $100 registration fee is non-refundable. See full refund policy in your enrollment agreement and at /refund-policy.

Question 22

Does the $6,000 include the state license fee?

Accepted Answer

No. The Florida DBPR license application fee is $75 as of today, paid directly to the state when you apply for your registration. We don't mark it up and we don't collect it. DBPR can change licensing fees without notice.

Question 23

What happens if I miss a payment on the In-House Plan?

Accepted Answer

First missed payment: friendly text reminder, no fee. Second consecutive missed payment: a one-time $25 late fee and a call from our financial aid coordinator to re-work the schedule. We don't believe in late fees stacked on top of late fees — life happens.

Question 24

Do you offer FAFSA / federal student aid?

Accepted Answer

Not at this time. As a 220-hour specialty program, MSI is not currently a Title IV–eligible institution. We chose to keep tuition low rather than carry the compliance cost of Title IV. Most students find the in-house plan more flexible than federal aid anyway.

Question 25

Can my employer pay for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We invoice employers directly — common with Florida med-spas sponsoring promising estheticians for advanced licensure. We provide a W-9, a partnership agreement, and progress reports if your employer wants them.

Question 26

Is the kit really included? Will I need to buy anything else?

Accepted Answer

The kit is yours, day one, included. Some students choose to buy additional brushes, a personal magnifying lamp, or upgrade their scrubs — none of that is required to pass.

Question 27

Will my tuition go up if I take longer to finish?

Accepted Answer

If you complete within your enrolled cohort window, no. If you need to drop and re-enroll in a future cohort due to a life event, we re-rate at the then-current tuition (typically a $200–$400 difference). We always honor your previously-paid hours.

Question 28

Can I pause my In-House Plan if I lose my job?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer up to a 90-day pause once during the program — no interest accrues. Just email financial-aid@msi.institute. We've all been there.

Question 29

Is MSI really worth more than a $4,000 school?

Accepted Answer

MSI is $6,000 all-inclusive — tuition, registration, kit, books, supplies. Cheaper programs typically add $1,000–$2,000 in hidden fees, then leave you to find your own state-exam prep. MSI's CIE-approved pathway means no state exam, plus lifetime AI infrastructure and the MyMedSpa post-graduation pathway. The price difference is the smallest variable in a 20-year career.

Question 30

Is financing available for advanced tracks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our In-House Plan, Pay-in-Full discount, and Affirm financing apply to any track above $1,500. Tracks below $1,500 are typically pay-at-checkout.

Question 31

How competitive is MSI admissions?

Accepted Answer

We aren't trying to be selective for selectivity's sake. About 78% of complete applications are offered a seat. The ones that aren't are usually a fit issue — someone whose timeline genuinely doesn't accommodate 220 hours, or who would be better served by a different program. We tell people on the call if we think MSI isn't right for them.

Question 32

Is there an interview?

Accepted Answer

The 20-minute admissions consult counts as the interview. We don't conduct a formal panel or require essays beyond the short paragraph in the application.

Question 33

When do I find out if I'm accepted?

Accepted Answer

Most applicants receive an acceptance decision within 2–3 business days of their admissions consult call.

Question 34

Do I have to commit to a start date right away?

Accepted Answer

No. Your acceptance is good for up to 12 months. Many students apply 6+ months before they want to start. You can begin your self-study book immediately and join in-person classes whenever the schedule fits.

Question 35

Can I defer if life gets in the way?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Before your first class day: deferral is free, just email us. After you've started classes: we work with you case-by-case, usually via a temporary medical or family leave with re-enrollment in the next available class block.

Question 36

What if I'm not sure between Tampa and Miami?

Accepted Answer

Visit both. They run the same curriculum, but the campus culture differs. Tampa runs larger classes and a more bustling clinic floor. Miami runs smaller classes with more medical-aesthetic exposure. If neither city works, ask about our hybrid and online tracks.

Question 37

What documents do I need ready when I apply?

Accepted Answer

High-school diploma (PDF or photo), government-issued photo ID, and the email address you check most often. That's it. We collect everything else as we go.

Question 38

Do you offer free trial classes or open houses?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We host monthly open houses (1 hour, includes Q&A with current students and a campus tour). Book through your admissions counselor.

Question 39

I have a felony record. Can I still apply?

Accepted Answer

You can. Florida DBPR evaluates licensure case-by-case based on the nature of the conviction, time elapsed, and rehabilitation evidence. We've had successful licensees with prior records. Call us — we won't be judgmental, and we'll be honest about what's possible.

Question 40

What if I'm not sure aesthetics is the right field for me?

Accepted Answer

Take our 2-minute career quiz — it maps your answers to one of three career archetypes (Facialist, Clinical Specialist, or Entrepreneur). It won't decide for you, but it'll give you something concrete to bring to the admissions consult.

Question 41

Will I get a job after I graduate?

Accepted Answer

Most graduates are placed within months of completion. We run a 1-on-1 career advisor program, and many alumni are hired into the medspas our faculty operate. We also teach you to open your own practice if that's your goal.

Question 42

What happens after graduation?

Accepted Answer

You receive your transcripts and Certificate of Completion, register with the Florida DBPR as a Facial / Skin Care Specialist, and start working. MyMedSpa — our post-grad business software — is included if you want to open your own practice.

Question 43

Is the field actually growing, or is that marketing?

Accepted Answer

Actually growing. U.S. medical aesthetics is projected at 11.9% CAGR through 2030, reaching $24B+. Florida is in the top three states for med-spa density. The hiring market for newly-licensed estheticians is currently candidate-favored in Miami-Dade and Broward.

Question 44

Will I really make a living?

Accepted Answer

Your income depends where you are willing to develop yourself. Most MSI graduates start around $20/hour, and growth is all about your effort.

Question 45

I'm bilingual. Is that an advantage?

Accepted Answer

Significant advantage in Florida — particularly Spanish, Portuguese, and Creole. Many South Florida med-spas pay a $1–3/hr language premium and prioritize bilingual hires.

Question 46

Does MSI help me find a job after graduation?

Accepted Answer

Yes — included, not upsold. You get résumé clinic sessions, mock interviews, and direct intros to a list of 40+ South Florida med-spas hiring entry-level facial specialists. Most graduates are placed before they sit the state exam.

Question 47

Will my advanced certificate be recognized by Florida employers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MSI's advanced certificates are recognized across the Florida med-spa community — we provide a verifiable digital credential plus a printed certificate, and Florida-employer references are part of the MSI alumni network.

Question 48

I'm 45+. Am I too old to start?

Accepted Answer

No. The single largest age group in our 2024 graduating class was 38–52. The average client at a Florida med-spa is in her 40s — she often prefers a practitioner her own age.

Question 49

Where is the MedSpa Institute Tampa campus?

Accepted Answer

Our Tampa campus is at 11351 Countryway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33626, in the Westchase area on the west side of Tampa, convenient to Town 'n' Country, Citrus Park, and the wider Bay Area.

Question 50

Where is the MedSpa Institute Miami campus?

Accepted Answer

Our Miami campus is at 3250 NE 1st Ave, Suite 504, Miami, FL 33137, in the Midtown arts district, convenient to Wynwood, Edgewater, the Design District, and Downtown Miami.

Question 51

What programs can I take at each campus?

Accepted Answer

Esthetics (facial specialist), nurse/RN injector training, and advanced medical-aesthetics programs for physicians, NPs, and PAs — offered at both Tampa and Miami.

Question 52

Do you offer classes or support in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide bilingual (English/Spanish) support for students at our Miami campus. See our guide to esthetician courses in Spanish in Miami.

Question 53

Is the program hybrid or fully in person at each campus?

Accepted Answer

It's hybrid. Didactic hours are online and self-paced; the 71 practical hours happen on the campus clinic floor with instructors — 8 weeks standard, up to 10 weeks part-time.

Question 54

What jobs can MSI graduates get in Tampa?

Accepted Answer

Graduates work at Tampa Bay med spas, dermatology and plastic-surgery practices, hotel and resort spas, and independent chair-rental suites across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Sarasota counties.

Question 55

What jobs can MSI graduates get in Miami?

Accepted Answer

Graduates work at Miami-area med spas, dermatology and plastic-surgery clinics, hotel and resort spas, and independent chair-rental studios. Bilingual EN/ES graduates are especially in demand across Miami-Dade and Broward.

Question 56

Can out-of-state students attend?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The didactic portion is online from anywhere; you only need to be on a Florida campus for the hands-on intensives. Many students travel in for clinical weeks and stay locally.

Question 57

How long has MedSpa Institute been training students?

Accepted Answer

Since 2003. We are a Florida-licensed institution (CIE License #12816 & #12817).

Frequently asked questions.

Licensing & Requirements

Programs & Curriculum

Cost & Financing

Admissions & Enrollment

Career Outcomes

Campuses — Tampa & Miami

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