Louisiana licenses estheticians through the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC). You need a Louisiana esthetician certificate to perform facials, skin care treatments, waxing, and other esthetic services for compensation anywhere in the state.
Louisiana requires 750 hours of approved training plus NIC written and practical exams with a 75% passing score. LSBC recently clarified the esthetician scope of practice to explicitly include dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and nano-needling. The total state fees are approximately $85. Here is exactly how to get your Louisiana esthetician license.
Louisiana Esthetician License Requirements at a Glance
| Official License Title | Esthetician |
| Governing Agency | Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC) |
| Minimum Age | 16 years old |
| Education Prerequisite | Completion of at least 10th grade (or equivalent) |
| Training Hours Required | 750 hours at a board-approved school |
| Apprenticeship Available? | No |
| Licensing Exam | NIC Theory + Practical exams |
| Passing Score | 75% on both exams |
| Exam Fees | Theory: $25 | Practical: $25 | Total: $50 |
| Certificate Fee | $35 |
| Total Initial Cost (state fees) | ~$85 (excluding tuition) |
| Renewal Cycle | Annual (birthday-based) |
| Renewal Fee | $35 |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Apply Online | LSBC Application [VERIFY] |
| Board Website | lsbc.louisiana.gov |
Step 1: Meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements
- Age: At least 16 years old
- Education: Completion of the 10th grade or equivalent (RS 37:582)
Step 2: Complete Your Education
You must complete 750 hours of esthetics training at a school approved by LSBC. Full-time students typically complete the program in 5 to 8 months. No apprenticeship pathway is available.
At 750 hours, Louisiana’s requirement is above the national average. See where all states fall in our esthetician hours by state comparison chart.
Step 3: Pass the NIC Exams
You must pass the NIC Esthetics Theory Exam and the NIC Esthetics Practical Exam. Passing score: 75% on both. Exam fee: $25 per exam ($50 total).
Step 4: Receive Your Certificate
After passing both exams, pay the $35 certificate fee.
License Renewal
Annual renewal, birthday-based. Fee: $35. No continuing education required. Late penalty: twice the applicable fee per year expired, capped at $300.
Transferring Your License to Louisiana
Louisiana recognizes esthetician licenses from all other states through reciprocity. Fee: $50. [VERIFY] You may need to pass NIC exams. Applicants licensed via apprenticeship are not eligible.
Military Service Members and Spouses
Under RS 37:3651 and RS 37:3652: temporary practice permits for military spouses, licensure by endorsement for military members and dependents, and renewal fee waivers during deployment.
Scope of Practice
Under RS 37:563, esthetics includes massaging the face or neck, eyebrow work, eyelash enhancements, hair removal through waxing or threading, and skin treatments on the face, neck, upper body, and extremities. LSBC has clarified that esthetic services include dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, superficial chemical peels, and nano-needling on the epidermis. Services that penetrate below the epidermis are prohibited.
For a comparison of esthetician licensing requirements across all states, see our complete esthetician licensing guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours do I need to become an esthetician in Louisiana?
You need 750 hours at a board-approved school. Full-time students complete the program in 5 to 8 months.
How much does it cost to get an esthetician license in Louisiana?
State fees total approximately $85: $50 in exam fees and $35 for the certificate. This is among the lowest licensing costs nationally.
Does Louisiana require continuing education for estheticians?
No. CE is only required for instructors.
Can Louisiana estheticians perform dermaplaning and microdermabrasion?
Yes. LSBC issued final rules clarifying that dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, superficial chemical peels, and nano-needling are within the esthetician scope of practice, provided services remain on the epidermis.
Can I transfer my esthetician license from another state to Louisiana?
Yes, through reciprocity. You may need to pass NIC exams. Those licensed via apprenticeship are not eligible.
Official Resources
- Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (official website)
- License Application [VERIFY]
- Reciprocity Application
- NIC Exam Information
- Fee Schedule (RS 37:599)
- Board Contact: (225) 756-3404 | steve.young@la.gov
- Board Address: 11622 Sunbelt Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70809