Montana is a great place to enjoy natural beauty, whether the natural beauty of the mountains in one of the many resorts, or the natural beauty of gorgeous, glowing skin. Montana’s cities are bustling with life and tourism, and the outdoor tourism attracts a wide range of clients, including wealthy celebrities. It’s a great place for an esthetician to choose among schools, to set up a salon, or to join one of the spas or luxury hotels in Montana as a skin care specialist. If you’re interested in working as an esthetician in Montana, read how to become one below, and you’ll soon have a great career making other people feel beautiful!

Bozeman, MT site of at least one esthetician training institute
Bozeman, MT site of at least one esthetician training institute. Photo by Feetyouwear [CC BY 2.0]

How Many Hours Does Esthetics Training Take in MT?

The Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists stipulates that your esthetician program be comprised of 650 hours of classes some of which can be online depending on your school. If, after you’ve been certified, you choose to become a teacher in an accredited program, it will take another 650 hours.

At least 70 hours of the basic program is just for sanitation and sterilization: very important when you’re working with the chemicals you’ll be regularly using in your business.

You’ll also get 70 hours in salon management and business principles, which will provide a great start when you’re ready to open your own salon or spa!

Skin Care Exam and License in Montana

When you finish your course requirements, you will need to prepare for your licensing exams. These include a practical exam, where you’ll be tested on a variety of services. These could include hair removal, makeup, and more, but all things that you’ve been trained on in school.

You’ll be required to bring your own smock, kit, and a mannequin. The written exam is a multiple choice exam. It measures your knowledge on the scientific concepts behind skincare treatments.The test also covers care, sanitation and safety practices. You need a 75% on both tests to qualify for a license.

When you apply for your licence, you’ll need your application, and various IDs and proofs of schooling. The diploma and records should come from your school, and be notarized, rather than coming from you.

If you are moving, and have an out-of-state license, you can still get your license to work in Montana. Submit your application with proof of date of birth, and your educational transcripts and verification of a valid, active license, along with your original exam scores.

Once you can legally work as an esthetician in Montana, you’ll need to renew your license once every two years, starting from March 1st.

Getting To Work & CE for Aesthetics in MT

Montana’s state board of cosmetology requires an additional 30 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. They are fairly flexible on how to get those hours, whether from specialized courses, first aid classes, microblading training, or industry events. The only stipulation is that only 12 hours out of the 30 can be covered by trade shows. The continuing education requirements help you ensure you have the most up-to-date knowledge on techniques and technologies, to give your customers and clients the best possible treatment in all cases.

After you are licensed, your career has a lot of potential for growth. Montana attracts a lot of wealthy visitors its many spas and hotels. Being a licensed esthetician also means you can work at high end department stores, with medical professionals if you go to medical esthetician school, and even in the film and fashion industries! Check with your school to find the best places to build the foundation of your new career.

Also take a look at our school costs page to get an idea how much your training will be.

Some Esthetician Schools in Montana

Name AddressCostOther Programs
Montana Academy of Salons501 2nd Street S, Great Falls, 59405Fee: $200.00
Tuition: $7,000.00
Books & Kit: $1,600.00
Barbering,Cosmetology, Manicuring,Massage Therapy,Microdermabrasion
Crevier's Academy-Cosmetology240 West Idaho Street, Kalispell, 59901Tuition $ 7500.00
Registration fee $125.00
Application fee $50.00
Books $325.00
Student kit $775.00
Cosmetology,Manicuring

Esthetician School of Montana – Bozeman

Bold Beauty Academy – Billings

Other Montana schools for nail techs, barbers, and cosmetologists.

Did we miss any Montana esthetics institutes? Please contact us to let us know.

School links:
boldbeautyacademy.com

crevierschool.com

montanabeautyschool.com