Connecticut licenses estheticians through the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). You need a Connecticut esthetician license to legally perform skin care treatments, facials, waxing, makeup application, and other esthetic services for compensation anywhere in the state. Esthetician licensing became mandatory in Connecticut on July 1, 2020 under Public Act 19-117.
Connecticut requires 600 hours of approved training and no licensing exam. The total state fee is $100. Connecticut is one of the few states that does not require an exam for esthetician licensure, making it one of the more straightforward licensing processes in the country. Here is exactly how to get your Connecticut esthetician license.
Connecticut Esthetician License Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Official License Title | Esthetician |
| Governing Agency | Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) |
| Statutory Authority | Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 387, Sections 20-265a through 20-265g |
| Minimum Age | Not specified by statute |
| Education Prerequisite | Not specified by statute (schools may set their own requirements) |
| Training Hours Required | 600 hours at a DPH-approved school |
| Licensing Exam | None required |
| License Application Fee | $100 (paid to DPH) |
| Total Initial Cost (state fees) | $100 (excluding tuition) |
| License Term | 2 years (biennial renewal) |
| Renewal Fee | $100 every 2 years |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Apply Online | eLicense Connecticut |
| Board Website | CT DPH Esthetician Licensing |
Education and Training Requirements
Connecticut requires completion of at least 600 hours of esthetics study at a school approved by the Department of Public Health under CGS Section 20-265g or Section 20-262. Education completed outside Connecticut is also accepted, provided the school was approved by the appropriate regulatory body in its state and the requirements are equivalent.
The esthetics curriculum covers services related to skin care treatments including:
- Cleansing, toning, stimulating, and exfoliating the skin
- Facial treatments using cosmetic preparations, hands, devices, apparatus, or appliances
- Makeup application
- Beautifying lashes and brows
- Removing unwanted hair using manual and mechanical means (waxing)
- Infection prevention and control
Full-time students typically complete the 600-hour program in four to six months. Part-time students should expect longer depending on the school’s schedule.
Experience-based pathway (limited availability): Applicants who continuously practiced as an esthetician in Connecticut for at least two years prior to January 1, 2021 could apply based on experience rather than schooling. This pathway required submitting an affidavit of experience form. Applications under this pathway were accepted through January 1, 2025. This pathway is no longer available for new applicants.
At 600 hours, Connecticut’s esthetician training requirement is at the national average. See where all states fall in our esthetician hours by state comparison chart. You can also compare requirements with nearby states like New York and Pennsylvania.
Exam Requirements
Connecticut does not require a licensing exam for estheticians. This is one of the few states where you can obtain an esthetician license based solely on completing the required training hours without passing a written or practical exam. After completing your 600 hours and receiving your certificate of completion, you can apply directly for your license.
Application Process and Fees
After completing your 600 hours of esthetics training, follow these steps to apply for your Connecticut esthetician license:
- Create an account on eLicense Connecticut
- Select “Initial Application” and expand the “Appearance Enhancement” grouping
- Complete the online application
- Upload your certificate of completion documenting the 600-hour requirement from your approved school
- Attest that you are in compliance with the infection prevention and control plan guidelines established by DPH per CGS Section 19a-231
- Pay the $100 application fee online
Applications are accepted online only through eLicense Connecticut.
| Fee Type | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| License Application | $100 | CT DPH |
| Total Initial Cost | $100 | |
| Biennial Renewal | $100 | CT DPH |
| Reinstatement (lapsed license) | $100 | CT DPH |
Mail correspondence to: Connecticut Department of Public Health, Esthetician Licensure, 410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134. Email: oplc.dph@ct.gov.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Connecticut esthetician licenses must be renewed every two years. The renewal fee is $100.
Connecticut does not require continuing education for esthetician license renewal. You simply pay the renewal fee and complete the online renewal through eLicense Connecticut.
Reinstatement: If your license lapses, you may apply for reinstatement through the eLicense portal by paying a $100 reinstatement fee.
Reciprocity and License Transfer
Connecticut accepts out-of-state esthetician licenses for transfer. To qualify under the out-of-state pathway, you must hold a current esthetician license from another U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or territory.
Since Connecticut does not require an exam for esthetician licensure, out-of-state transfers are generally straightforward. Submit your application through eLicense Connecticut, provide a copy of your current license, and pay the $100 application fee.
Military Provisions
Connecticut recognizes the license portability provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 USC Section 4025a. Under these provisions, servicemembers and their spouses may use their professional licenses when they relocate to Connecticut due to military orders.
To qualify, you must:
- Be a servicemember ordered to active duty in Connecticut, or the spouse of such a servicemember
- Hold a current professional license in good standing from another jurisdiction
- Submit a completed online application through eLicense Connecticut
- Provide a copy of military orders assigning you or your spouse to Connecticut
- Provide a copy of your marriage license (for spouses)
- Submit a notarized affidavit confirming you have practiced in the profession within the previous two years
The credential remains valid for the duration of your military orders in Connecticut.
Recent Legislative Changes
Public Act 19-117 (effective July 1, 2020): Connecticut created the esthetician license category under Chapter 387. Before this legislation, esthetician services were not regulated in Connecticut. The law established a 600-hour training requirement with no exam, a $100 application fee, and biennial renewal. This act also created separate license categories for eyelash technicians and nail technicians.
Combination licensing (effective January 1, 2020): Connecticut allows applicants to apply for a combination license covering two or three of the following: esthetician, eyelash technician, and nail technician. This may simplify licensing for professionals who offer multiple services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pass an exam to become an esthetician in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut is one of the few states that does not require a written or practical exam for esthetician licensure. You need only complete 600 hours of approved training and submit your application with the $100 fee.
How many hours do I need to become an esthetician in Connecticut?
You need 600 hours of esthetics training at a DPH-approved school. Full-time students typically complete the program in four to six months.
How much does it cost to get an esthetician license in Connecticut?
The state licensing fee is $100 for the initial application. Since no exam is required, there are no exam fees. The total state cost is $100, plus tuition for your training program.
How often do I need to renew my esthetician license in Connecticut?
Every two years. The renewal fee is $100. No continuing education is required.
Can I transfer my esthetician license from another state to Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut accepts out-of-state esthetician licenses. You must hold a current license in good standing and submit an application with the $100 fee through eLicense Connecticut.
When did Connecticut start requiring esthetician licenses?
Esthetician licensing became mandatory on July 1, 2020 under Public Act 19-117. Before this date, esthetician services were not regulated in Connecticut.
Official Resources
- Connecticut DPH Esthetician Licensing (official website)
- eLicense Connecticut — Online License Application
- Esthetician Licensing Requirements
- Military Spouse License Information (SCRA)
- DPH Contact: Email: oplc.dph@ct.gov
- Mailing Address: Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134
For a comparison of esthetician licensing requirements across all states, including training hours, exam formats, fees, and reciprocity rules, see our complete esthetician licensing guide.