NY Esthetician licensing

New York esthetician license requirements and exam prep

Confirm New York esthetician training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Esthetician practice app.

At a glance

New York Esthetician facts

License type
Esthetics
School hours
600 hours
Written exam
Required
Practical exam
Required
Exam vendor
New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
Passing score
Pass/fail, no numerical score
Exam fees
Written $15 / Practical $15
Renewal cycle
4 years
Last verified
2026-07-30

Checked against 2 official sources on 2026-07-30. Every figure on this page links to the document it came from.

Application path

What to verify before you apply

  1. 1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
  2. 2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
  3. 3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.

Exam details

Written and practical exam notes

Written exam

Status
Required
Time limit
150 minutes
Passing score
Pass/fail, no numerical score
Fee
$15
Languages
English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese

Practical exam

Status
Required
Fee
$15

Renewal and transfer

Renewal
4 years
Renewal fee
$40
Reciprocity
Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam

What it costs

License application
$40
Written exam
$15
Practical exam
$15
Renewal every 4 years
$40

Fees are set by the state and the exam vendor and exclude school tuition.

Still to verifyNot published in the cited sources: written question count, practical time limit, continuing education. Verify the current board page or candidate bulletin before scheduling or applying.

Study path

How to use this New York esthetician guide

Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.

  1. Confirm eligibilityFinish 600 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step.
  2. Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: 150 minutes, passing standard Pass/fail, no numerical score. The cited sources name New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services as the exam vendor.
  3. Plan hands-on practiceNew York requires a practical exam for this license, so do not let written-question practice replace service practice and kit/exam-day preparation.
  4. Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.

High-yield written topics

  • Skin sciencesInfection control, skin anatomy, physiology, disorders and contraindications.
  • Skin analysis and consultationFitzpatrick, skin type, treatment plans, client records and safety decisions.
  • Facials, masks and productsCleansing, exfoliation, massage, masks, chemistry and product selection.
  • Hair removal, makeup and machinesWaxing, makeup, electricity, modalities, precautions and state law.
Practice Esthetician questions

Official sources

Source links used for this guide

  • Become an Esthetician ↗New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services · Accessed 2026-07-30License type, Training hours, Written exam, Practical exam, Passing Score, Exam languages, Exam vendor, Transfer route, Time Limit, Exam Fee, Application fee, Renewal fee
  • Appearance Enhancement Law, General Business Law article 27 ↗New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services · Accessed 2026-07-30Renewal cycle, Application fee, Renewal fee, Exam Fee

New York in context

What these New York esthetician rules mean for you

New York requires 600 training hours for an esthetician license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 7 ask for fewer hours and 12 ask for more, against a range of 220 to 1,000 hours and a median of 600. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.

New York requires both a written examination and a hands-on practical examination, so you need bench skills as well as theory. The examination is administered by New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. The published passing standard is Pass/fail, no numerical score.

The New York written exam is offered in English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese. If English is not your first language, confirm the language option when you book, because it is chosen at scheduling rather than on exam day.

New York Esthetician licensing questions

How many hours do you need for an esthetician license in New York?
New York requires 600 hours of approved training. That is more than 7 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 12.
How much does a New York esthetician license cost?
Before tuition, expect $40 for the license application and $15 for the written exam and $15 for the practical exam. That is $70 in state and vendor fees to get licensed.
Is there a practical exam for the New York esthetician license?
Yes. New York requires a hands-on practical examination in addition to the written examination.
What languages is the New York esthetician written exam offered in?
It is offered in English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese.
How long is the New York esthetician written exam?
You are allowed 150 minutes.
How often do you renew a New York esthetician license?
The renewal cycle is 4 years. The renewal fee is $40.

Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.

Scroll to Top