The next level
in your career.
Advanced certificate tracks for the Florida-licensed esthetician who's ready for more — microneedling, advanced chemical peels, dermaplaning, Hydrafacial, and the business of running your own room.
Naomi, MSI 2022 — now lead esthetician at a Coral Gables med-spa.
Rolling enrollment · Hybrid program
No waiting for a start date — enroll today, begin online tonight, hands-on on campus this week.
149 hours of theory are online at your own pace. 71 practical hours happen on campus, scheduled with your campus at a minimum of 3 days per week, Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
If you're here, you've already done the hard part.
You hold an active Florida facial specialist license. Now what?
The first-year licensee.
You graduated and got your license. You're earning, but you can see what your senior coworkers do that you can't — and the difference shows on the paycheck. You want the next certification.
The lead-esthetician-to-be.
Your med-spa is offering you a lead role if you can certify in three more modalities. We can have you certified in as little as 4 weeks — up to 8 weeks.
The chair-renter going independent.
You're leaving employed work for chair rental. You want more services to offer — more certificates above the door.
The reciprocity new arrival.
You moved to Florida from another state, transferred your license, and now you want training that matches the Florida service mix.
What an FL facial specialist can and cannot do.
May perform
- Manual facials, exfoliation, masks, extractions.
- Chemical exfoliation with superficial peels only (typically up to 30% glycolic / 10% TCA per FL Board guidance — confirm current rules).
- Microdermabrasion (crystal and diamond-tip).
- LED light therapy, ultrasonic scrubbers, high-frequency, microcurrent.
- Microneedling with devices ≤ 0.5 mm depth (deeper requires medical supervision).
- Dermaplaning.
- Waxing, brow shaping, lash and brow tinting (where applicable to scope).
May not, without medical supervision
- Injections (botulinum toxin, fillers, biostimulators, etc.).
- Class IV laser treatments.
- Medium-depth or deep chemical peels.
- Microneedling beyond 2.5mm depth.
- Prescriptive skincare (Rx tretinoin, hydroquinone, etc.) — though you may apply provider-prescribed products.
Some MSI tracks below are within your independent scope. Others (lasers, deep peels, deeper microneedling) require medical-spa employment with physician medical direction. We flag the scope context for each track.
Seven advanced tracks.
Each track is its own certificate. Take any combination, in any order, at your own pace.
Candela Microneedling Specialist Certification
Complete equipment training with hands-on practice on live models. Full treatment protocol — pre-care, extractions, and post-care — plus combined-modality technique with topical application.
Advanced Chemical Peels
Beyond superficial. Combination Jessner solutions and TCA cocktails at Florida-permitted strengths, pre- and post-peel skin management, liability release documentation, and supervised peel cases on live models.
Laser Tattoo Removal
The science and the safeguards: ink reactions, laser-to-ink-color interaction, and depth of penetration — plus the full documentation set, including legal forms, pre- and post-treatment instructions, and liability release.
Dermaplaning Certification
Fundamentals, anatomy, tools & equipment, client assessment, pre- and post-treatment protocol, positioning & technique, safety & contraindications, potential complications, and standards. Most graduates add $400–$800/week in services within 30 days.
Hydrafacial Technician
Understand the products, solution strengths, pre- and post-care, application and technique, combining with other products, and hands-on practice on live models.
Candela Energy Devices
Sublime RF for skin tightening across all body areas. Sublative RF for skin tone, texture, and sun damage — including hyperpigmentation and wrinkle reduction.
Depth safety, treatment protocol, and hands-on Candela microneedling practice for FL facial specialists.
Device physics, Fitzpatrick-based patient selection, and Candela energy-device training within FL scope.
What advanced certification does to your income.
Self-reported income lift from MSI alumni 12 months after completing advanced tracks (n=243 surveyed 2024–2025).
Median compensation increase after Microneedling Specialist Certification.
Mostly through added per-treatment commission at employed positions and direct service revenue at independent ones.
Median compensation increase after Master Esthetician Pathway.
The combination of certifications, not any single one, drives the largest lift.
Average price-per-treatment increase for graduates who go independent within 12 months of advanced training.
From employed facialist at $65–$95 ticket to independent at $145–$225.
92% of alumni recoup tuition within 6 months
1,180+ MSI alumni hold advanced certificates
4.9/5 instructor rating across all tracks
40+ Florida med-spas prefer MSI-trained advanced techs
Survey methodology and full data in MSI's 2025 Outcomes Report — available from admissions on request.
"I cannot say enough great things about Medspa Institute."
The level of professionalism, education, and hands-on experience they provide is unmatched. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in each student's success.
The environment is supportive and welcoming, and I left feeling confident and fully prepared for the real world. If you are considering a career in aesthetics, this is the place to be. Highly recommend!
Current classes · Live calendar
Class Schedule
Browse the training calendar. Open enrollment — start your course book today and join the live class on any upcoming session.
Open enrollment: start your course book today and join the live calendar on any upcoming session. Schedule may shift for holidays or instructor availability — confirm with admissions before traveling.
Learn from licensed professionals
Advanced tracks are taught by Florida-licensed master estheticians and physician-directed faculty. Meet the MSI faculty →
See full tuition and financing, review our Florida licensing and accreditation, read the Florida esthetician career guide, see the certificate vs degree comparison, or talk to admissions.
Advanced training, answered.
Quick answers
How long does an advanced esthetics certification track take?
Most advanced tracks — microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, Hydrafacial, and Candela energy devices — run in a single day of hands-on training on live models, so you can add a certification without stepping away from your job for long.
How much do advanced certification tracks cost?
Pricing varies by track, from $450 for Dermaplaning Certification up to $2,000 for Candela Energy Devices or Laser Tattoo Removal. Financing, including the In-House Plan and Affirm, applies to any track above $1,500.
When can I start?
Check the class calendar above for the next available date at Miami or Tampa — filter by track to see upcoming sessions and seats remaining, then reserve your spot online.
Do I need to take a state exam?
No. These are continuing-education tracks for estheticians who already hold an active Florida license (or equivalent out-of-state license). There is no additional state exam — you leave with a verifiable MSI certificate for that procedure.
Talk to admissions
Questions about Advanced Aesthetician Track?
Tell us a bit about you and an admissions advisor will reach out within one business day — no application required.