Minnesota winters can be tough on your skin. Keeping that skin healthy and youthful looking is a full-time job! Why not make it a money-earning vocation by going to school and becoming an esthetician? A fully licensed esthetician can work as a makeup artist, medical skin care specialist, or in spas or salons.

Cultivating clients and making people look and feel their best is a rewarding career path. And your first step is choosing among the schools.

St. Paul, Minnesota skyline
St. Paul, Minnesota skyline by AlexiusHoratius [CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How Many Hours Of Training Are Required at Esthetics Schools in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, you’re required to study for 600 hours in a registered cosmetology school or university esthetics program before becoming licensed – check with schools to see if some training can be done online. You’ll study everything from makeup application, anatomy, skin analysis, customer service, and cosmetology laws so that you can master the basics of everything it takes to run your own salon or work everywhere from a high-end department store, luxury spa, or even medical or chiropractic office.

Find the closest school to you by using your ZIP:

Getting Your MN Skin Care License

Before starting your career, you’ll need to be licensed by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. That means sitting two 90-minute exams.

One is a multiple-choice written exam, and the second is a practical exercise exam. They should cover everything you learned in your course and practical training.

The final test is the Law Exam, which covers all the sanitation requirements and licensing information you will need to work as a skin care specialist in the state.

Once you’ve passed your exams, you complete an application, pay your licensing fee, and provide a copy of your transcripts from high school and your completed course hours, along with your exam scores. The MN board should then send you your license.

Transferring Your License to MN from Out-Of-State

If you’re looking into moving to Minnesota and working as an esthetician, there are things you need to do to apply for reciprocity and have your license approved by the state board.

You must fill out and sign the Domestic Endorsement or Transfer Operator License Application. Pay the fee, submit verification from your previous institution, and proof of passing either a National or General Theory Examination and Practical Examination, with scores.

You need to complete at least 600 hours of training to be licensed by the Minnesota state board.

How To Renew Your Esthetics License in MN

You will need to renew your license every three years. Your license is eligible for renewal ten weeks before its expiration date. The Minnesota board requires estheticians must complete four hours of continuing education throughout every renewal period. Three hours for health, safety and sanitation updates, and one for an update on Minnesota laws and rules.

You may decide to pursue further education yourself to stay up-to-date on technology, services, and certifications, but that’s up to you!

Job Searching for Minnesota Estheticians

There are many opportunities for Minnesota estheticians. As you begin your career, you may choose to work as a makeup artist or in salons and massage parlors. Or you could choose to work as a medical skin care specialist if you have the training.

If you complete an instructor training course of 38 hours or longer, you can apply to become an esthetician instructor. And if you have 2700 hours of experience, you can even apply to manage your own salon! Whatever path you choose, the future looks bright!

Minnesota Esthetician Schools Examples With Costs

NameAddressCostOther Programs
Cosmetology Careers121 West Superior Street, Duluth, 55802UnknownCosmetology, Nail Technology, Continuing Education
Empire Beauty School 9749 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington, 55420Tuition & Fees: $8,502
Books & Supplies: $1,400
Cosmetology
Minnesota West Community1314 North Hiawatha Avenue, Pipestone, 56164UnknownMany
Model College of Hair Design201 8th Avenue South, Saint Cloud, 56301Tuition:$7,900.00
Kit and Books:$750.00
Application Fee:$50.00
Total:$8,700.00
Cosmetology, Nail Technician, Continuing Education
Nova Academy of Cosmetology5979 Bandel Road Northwest, Rochester, 55901Registration Fee $100 + Kit Fee $3,250+ Tuition Fee $8,550 = Total $11,900Cosmetology, Nail Technology
Ridgewater College2101 15th Avenue Northwest, Willmar, 56201$3,548 for tuition and fees
$880 for books and supplies
Many

Central Beauty School – 538 Main Street South, Suite 110, Cambridge, MN 55008

Central Beauty School – Minneapolis

Nail Tech & Beauty School – 6993 35th Street North, Oakdale, MN 55128

Pro-Image Beauty School – 759 North Milton Street, St Paul, MN 55104

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

School URLs:
aveda.edu
ccucollege.net
empire.edu
mnwest.edu
mcohd.com
nova-academy.com
pci-academy.com
ridgewater.edu

Did we miss any esthetics schools in Minnesota? Please contact us to let us know.