New York licenses estheticians through the New York State Department of State (DOS), Division of Licensing Services. You need a New York esthetician license to legally perform facials, skincare treatments, waxing, threading, makeup application, and other esthetic services for compensation anywhere in the state. In New York, makeup artistry also falls under the esthetician license, so even if you only want to do makeup professionally, you need this license.
New York requires 600 hours of approved training plus both a written and practical state board exam. The application fee is $40, and you can begin working on a temporary license while waiting for your exam results. Most people complete the full process in four to eight months. Here is exactly how to do it.
New York Esthetician License Requirements at a Glance
| Official License Title | Esthetics |
| Governing Agency | New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services |
| Minimum Age | 17 years old |
| Education Prerequisite | None specified by the state (individual schools may set their own enrollment requirements) |
| Training Hours Required | 600 hours at a NYS-approved school |
| State Board Exam | Written exam AND practical exam (both required) |
| Application Fee | $40 (initial license) | $15 written exam | $15 practical exam |
| Temporary License | $10 (valid 6 months, renewable once for $10) |
| License Term | 4 years |
| Renewal Fee | $40 every 4 years |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Apply Online | NYS DOS Esthetician Application |
Step 1: Meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a New York esthetician license, you must be at least 17 years old. The state does not specify a minimum education level such as a high school diploma or GED, though individual schools may set their own enrollment requirements. There is no New York residency or citizenship requirement to apply for the license.
You will need to provide a health certification as part of your application. This is a physical examination completed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, and the application must be submitted within 30 days of the exam date.
Step 2: Complete 600 Hours at a NYS-Approved School
You must complete 600 clock hours of instruction at a school that holds operational approval from both the New York State Education Department and the Department of State. The curriculum covers facial treatments and skincare techniques, cleansing, exfoliating, and extracting, application of facial masks, waxing and threading for face and body hair removal, makeup application and instruction, skincare education including sun protection, and sanitation and safety protocols.
Most full-time programs take about 4 to 6 months to complete. Part-time schedules may take 8 to 12 months. New York does not permit apprenticeship programs for estheticians. All training must be completed through an approved school program.
When choosing a school, verify that it holds a specific curriculum code assigned by the Department of State. Students use this code when registering for licensing exams. Hours completed at unapproved schools will not count toward your license.
Important: New York requires in-person, hands-on training. While some theory coursework may be offered in hybrid formats at certain schools, you cannot complete the 600 hours through a fully online program. New York’s 600-hour requirement is moderate compared to other states. View the full comparison in our esthetician license hours by state breakdown.
Domestic violence awareness training: As of June 17, 2020, all esthetician applicants who qualify based on completing NYS education must also complete a 1-hour course on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness before submitting their application. This free online course is available through the DOS website. This requirement is unique to New York and applies to all appearance enhancement license applicants.
Step 3: Apply for Your License and Temporary Permit
Once you complete your 600 hours, your school director will complete the Affirmation of New York State Approved Schooling section on your esthetics application. You can then submit your application to the Division of Licensing Services by mail or in person at one of three DOS offices in Albany, New York City, or Binghamton.
The application fee is $40. You will also need to include your health certification (physical exam completed within the past 30 days) and proof of completing the domestic violence awareness course.
Temporary license: New York offers a 6-month temporary license that allows you to work legally while waiting for your exam results. The temporary license fee is $10, and it can be renewed once for an additional $10 (one additional 6-month term). If you are applying for both the initial license and a temporary license at the same time, you can combine the fees and submit one payment of $50.
Payment can be made by American Express, MasterCard, or Visa.
Step 4: Pass the Written and Practical Exams
After your application is reviewed and accepted, you will be scheduled for both a written exam and a practical exam. You must pass both to receive your full license.
Written exam: The written exam is multiple-choice and based on the pre-licensing curriculum. You are allowed 2.5 hours to complete the test. You need a minimum score of 70% to pass. The exam fee is $15. One of New York’s standout features is that the written exam is available in 11 languages: English, Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.
Practical exam: The practical exam requires you to demonstrate hands-on esthetic skills. You must bring your own supplies from an approved supply list that DOS provides. The exam fee is $15. Detailed procedures documents are available in 12 languages.
Exam locations: Exams are administered at DOS testing sites in Albany, Buffalo, Hauppauge (Long Island), New York City, and Binghamton.
Rescheduling policy: You cannot reschedule an exam within 6 business days of the scheduled date. If you cancel within that window, fail to appear, or arrive late, you forfeit your exam fee and must pay again to reschedule.
Step 5: Receive Your License
Once you pass both exams, the Department of State will issue your esthetician license. The license term is 4 years, which is longer than most states (many issue 1- or 2-year licenses). Your license authorizes you to practice anywhere in New York State.
License Renewal
New York esthetician licenses must be renewed every four years. You can renew online through the New York State License Center portal beginning 90 days before your expiration date. The renewal fee is $40.
No continuing education is required for renewal in New York. This is a significant advantage compared to states that require CE hours every renewal cycle. You simply pay the fee and renew.
If your license expires, a $10 late renewal penalty applies. If you fail to renew within five years of the expiration date, you become ineligible for renewal and must pass the written exam again before your license can be restored. You would not need to retake the practical exam or complete additional schooling.
Transferring a License to New York
New York offers several pathways for estheticians licensed or trained outside the state.
Out-of-state education: If you completed your training in another state or country, the Department of State may waive the NYS schooling requirement if you can document an equivalent level of education. You must submit three documents: a school certificate, a school transcript listing subjects and hours completed, and a current original Certification of Licensure from your state board (or, if not licensed, a certification verifying the hours you completed). You will still need to pass both the New York written and practical exams.
Endorsement (no exam required): If you hold a current esthetician license in one of 16 states that have endorsement agreements with New York, you can obtain a New York license without taking an exam or completing additional education. You must submit an original certification from your current licensing jurisdiction. The endorsement states are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Five-year experience waiver (no exam required): If you have five or more years of legal experience working as an esthetician outside New York, you may qualify for a license without taking any exams. For U.S. applicants, you must submit an original certification from your licensing agency and two experience statements from former employers, coworkers, or clients. These statements must include exact dates (month and year of start and end of service), location (city, state, shop name), and specific services performed. Supporting documents such as tax returns showing esthetics as your occupation are optional but helpful.
For international applicants, the documentation requirements are more extensive. You need an official certification from the licensing authority in your country (or consulate verification if licensing is not required), detailed employer letters with exact dates and services, client or coworker letters, copies of your passport or identification, education diplomas and course curricula, and optional tax returns. If approved, you receive your New York license without examination.
What Can You Do with a New York Esthetician License?
A New York esthetician license authorizes you to perform facials, cleansing, exfoliating, extracting, and applying facial masks, waxing and threading for face and body hair removal, makeup application for special events and instructing clients on makeup techniques, skincare education including sun protection and maintaining healthy skin, aromatherapy wraps and body contouring wraps, LED light therapy, electromagnetic body sculpting, dermaplaning, galvanic and faradic current treatments, enzyme facial treatments, and hot stone facials.
New York publishes a detailed Procedural Service Determinations chart that specifies exactly which services each license type can and cannot perform. Some notable services that fall outside the esthetician scope include microneedling (currently requires an acupuncture license), laser procedures other than laser hair removal by estheticians (requires a medical license), injectable treatments such as Botox and fillers (medical license required), cool sculpting and cryotherapy (medical license required), and eyelash perms or lifts using chemicals (prohibited for all appearance enhancement licensees).
Laser hair removal: Interestingly, the DOS scope of practice chart currently lists laser hair removal as permitted for estheticians and cosmetologists. However, pending legislation (S6231-A/A1916-A) would create a separate laser hair removal technician license with specific training and competency exam requirements. Licensed estheticians already performing laser hair removal could potentially receive a waiver from the new training requirements if they pass the competency exam. This bill has advanced through the Senate Consumer Protection Committee and is awaiting further action. The New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons has publicly opposed the bill, arguing laser procedures require medical oversight.
Microneedling legislation: A separate bill (A3084-A) has been introduced that would allow licensed estheticians and cosmetologists to perform microneedling after completing a 5-hour approved course. This bill is currently in committee and has not yet passed.
New York Esthetician Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median salary for skincare specialists was $41,560 per year ($19.98 per hour) as of May 2024. Employment in the field is projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
In New York specifically, esthetician salaries tend to run well above the national average. Multiple New York metro areas rank among the top-paying regions for skincare specialists nationally. Estheticians in Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs command premium rates due to the concentration of luxury spas, high-end salons, dermatology practices, and film and television production. Upstate New York salaries are closer to the national median but still competitive within the Northeast.
These figures represent base employment income and do not include tips, commissions on product sales, or self-employment income. The BLS notes that approximately 26% of skincare specialists nationally are self-employed, and their earnings are not captured in these statistics. Tips and product commissions can add 15% to 25% on top of base pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed esthetician in New York?
Most people complete the process in 4 to 8 months. Full-time esthetics programs (600 hours) typically take 4 to 6 months, and the application and exam process adds a few more weeks. The temporary license lets you start working while you wait for exam scheduling and results.
Do I need a license to do makeup in New York?
Yes. New York requires an esthetician license to practice as a professional makeup artist. This is different from many other states where makeup application alone does not require a license. If you plan to do makeup for weddings, events, film and television, or any compensated work, you need the esthetician license.
Can I transfer my esthetician license from another state without taking the New York exam?
It depends on which state you are coming from. If your current state has an endorsement agreement with New York, you can transfer without any exam. The 16 endorsement states are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, DC, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. If you have five or more years of licensed experience in any state, you may also qualify for the experience waiver, which does not require an exam. All other out-of-state applicants must pass the New York written and practical exams.
Do I need continuing education to renew my New York esthetician license?
No. New York does not require any continuing education hours for esthetician license renewal. You simply pay the $40 renewal fee every four years. This is a notable advantage compared to many other states.
What is the domestic violence awareness training requirement?
Since June 2020, all new esthetician applicants who completed their training in New York must complete a free, 1-hour online course on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness before submitting their license application. This course is accessible through the Department of State website. It does not apply to renewal applicants or those transferring from out of state.
What is a cosmetologist vs. an esthetician in New York?
A cosmetologist is trained in hair, skin, and nails and can perform a broader range of services including haircutting, coloring, and styling. The cosmetology program is 1,000 hours; the esthetician program is 600 hours. If you hold a cosmetology license, you can already perform esthetic services without a separate esthetician license. However, if you want to focus exclusively on skincare, the shorter esthetician program is a faster path to licensing.
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.
Official Resources
New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22001, Albany, NY 12201-2001
Phone: (518) 474-4429
Customer Service: Monday-Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM
Website: dos.ny.gov/esthetics
Apply for an Esthetician License:
NYS DOS – Become an Esthetician
In-Person Offices:
Albany: 1 Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12231
New York City: 123 William Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10038
Binghamton: State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street, Room 1506, Binghamton, NY 13901
Online License Portal (Renewals and Account Management):
New York State License Center
Scope of Practice Determinations:
Appearance Enhancement Licensees – Procedural Service Determinations
Endorsement State List:
NYS DOS – Esthetics Endorsement Information
Domestic Violence Awareness Course:
NYS DOS – Mandatory DV/SA Awareness Course
Appearance Enhancement Law (Article 27, General Business Law):
Full Text of Article 27
License Verification:
NYS DOS License Search