Tennessee is it’s own mix of down-home charm and old-school elegance and luxury. It’s the perfect place to go to school to learn the esthetician’s secrets that lead to great skin.

If you love the idea of helping others feel more beautiful and radiant, you might be drawn to a career as a professional esthetician, or skin care expert.

If you’re not sure where to start, we have the details on everything from the colleges you’ll attend (or online schools you can check out), to how to get and keep your license, and even how to advance in your new career!

Downtown Nashville, TN
Downtown Nashville, TN

How Many Hours Do Estheticians Need To Train in Schools in Tennessee?

Tennessee has one of the most rigorous cosmetology programs. You will be well trained and have plenty of experience, with 750 hours of study required before you can be licensed.

Your program, whether through a college, university, or cosmetology school, should cover topics including skin conditions and disorders, aging factors, massage, skin analysis, and state sanitation law, among other things.

You will gain 450 hours of practical experience throughout your course, including working with live models.

Find the schools closest to you by entering your ZIP below:

Your TN Skin Care License

Once you’ve completed your course, your school will approve you for your licensing exams. You will take a written and practical test, as well as a Tennessee law exam, covering all rules pertaining to skin care.

Suppose you currently hold an out-of-state esthetician license. In that case, you will need to provide proof of either 750 hours of study or 5 years of work experience immediately prior to your application. You’ll also need to send a passport-type photograph and proof of your education and current license along with your application and pay the application fee.

Make Sure Your Tennessee Aesthetics License Is Up-To-Date

You must renew your Tennessee esthetician’s license every two years.

There are no continuing education requirements. You simply pay the fee and submit your renewal application online. It’s always a good idea to get extra training, and there is lots of room for advancement in esthetics, whether in the medical field or through extra training like microblading classes.

If you choose to advance your career and become an aesthetics instructor, you will need an additional 300 hours of training and an aesthetics instructor exam. To renew that license, you will need to complete 12 hours of continuing education and training per license period.

Find Esthetician Jobs in TN

Tennessee is bursting with opportunities for hard-working skin care specialists.

Between the luxury hotels and spas, and the entertainment and music scene, Tennessee is a great place to build your skin care resume.

Whether you choose to work as a beauty advisor or makeup artist, in the entertainment industry or at one of Tennessee’s many luxury spas and resorts, you are sure to find rewarding employment, either as a skin care and beauty expert or as an instructor at one of Tennessee’s 56 schools of cosmetology.

Also, take a look at our esthetician school costs page so that you know how much you’ll likely be paying.

Some Esthetician Schools in Tennessee

Name Address Cost Other Programs
Tennessee School of Beauty4716 Western Avenue, Knoxville, 37921tuition is $11,495, plus an additional $3,500 for textbooks and supplies + $99 technology feeCosmetology, Manicuring, Continuing Education
Queen City College1594 Fort Campbell Boulevard, Clarksville, 370428,500.00 including books/kits/registration feeBarbering, Cosmetology, Manicuring
Tennessee Career Institute1412 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, 38401UnknownCosmetology, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy
The Ivy Institute of Esthetics5200 Park Avenue Suite 100, Memphis, 38119UnknownNone
Franklin Academy1605 Professional Park Drive Northwest, Cleveland,37312Application Fee – $25
Registration Fee – $75
Tuition – $8,250
Student Kit/Books – $1,550
Graduation Fee – $200
Total Tuition and Fees: $10,100
Cosmetology
Jenny Lea Academy222 East Unaka Avenue, Johnson City, 37601UnknownCosmetology

East Tennessee School of Cosmetology – Sweetwater

International College of Arts & Beauty – Chattanooga

New Concepts School of Cosmetology – Cleveland

New Directions Hair Academy – Nashville

Principals of Success Beauty School – Hixson

The Beauty Institute – Brentwood

The Beauty Institute – Memphis

Miller-Motte Technical College – Chattanooga

Miller-Motte Technical College – Clarksville


Other Tennessee schools for nail techs, barbers, cosmetologists and makeup artists.

Some School Websites:

austinbeautycollege.com

avedainstitutessouth.edu – Franklin

buchananbeautycollege.shutterfly.com

carterscosmo.com

douglasj.edu

empire.edu

franklinacademy.edu

franklinhairacademy.com

genesiscareer.edu

gci.edu

jennyleaacademy.com

miller-motte.edu

nestlebeautyschool.com

queencitycollege.com

tennesseecareerinstitute.com

tennesseeschoolofbeauty.com

Did we miss any Tennessee esthiology schools? Please contact us to let us know.