Best Esthetician Schools Online: Enrolling in an online esthetician school is an excellent opportunity for students to advance their education and attain long-term goals without committing to the time required for a traditional four-year degree.
On your journey to becoming a licensed esthetician, you have to undergo training in an accredited medical or trade school to train you through different programs and courses that will prepare you for the esthetician jobs available.
Being trained as an esthetician requires active participation and intentional studies.
Before time, aesthetics was not recognized as a professional career.
However with the everyday requirements of keeping up with beauty and great skin, the need for estheticians skyrockets worldwide.
85% of American women put at least 16 products on their faces before they walk out the door in the morning.
You can count the likes of facial cleanser, toner, eyeshadow, beauty, cosmetics etc.
This is the same in most parts of the world.
Currently, Skincare accounts for about 39% of the global cosmetics market and makeup for 19%.
With the increase in the need to keep up with beauty and good skincare, the esthetician jobs are increasingly making openings for more recruits.
Currently, 50,989 Licensed estheticians are employed in the United States earning above $90,000 per year.
However, joining the profession without proper education from accredited esthetician schools whether online or on-campus.
Here in this article, we show you exclusive information on how to study esthetician programs online and get your license.
This will guide you in making the best pick for you.
With all these programs, you can become a licensed esthetician without going to an on-campus college.
Ready?
Welcome Aboard Scholar!!!
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The Esthetician Profession: All You Need To Know.
An esthetician is a person who specializes in skin beautification. They assess a client’s skin condition to determine which treatments will best improve that person’s appearance and then give those treatments to the client.
Treatments may include facials, hair removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, the sale of skincare goods, and other services.
Estheticians do not diagnose or cure skin illnesses or disorders. Instead, their job is solely concerned with skincare as it relates to overall health and appearance.
Their training, on the other hand, enables them to recognize skin disorders that may necessitate the services of a dermatologist, a physician who specializes in skin. Aesthetician is another term for Esthetician.
Everyone in the beauty industry is by design an esthetician with a specialty.Â
An Esthetician is a professional skin specialist who provides beautification services for the skin such as;
- Body waxing
- Facial massage
- Makeup application
- Facial and skin treatment
- Provide skincare recommendations to clients
- Treatment of some skin diseases like acne and eczema treatment
- Microdermabrasion – a cosmetic treatment in which they spray the face with exfoliating crystals to remove dead epidermal cells.
It’s the job description of an esthetician to identify and treat cosmetic issues and take care of people’s skin even at a medical level to improve the patient’s skin condition.Â
What is The Skincare specialist/Esthetician School Online Certification?
Certification following Esthetician training in an online esthetician school is similar to that of students who attend a traditional institution.
Students must first finish the required number of hours of practical training according to the state board of cosmetology before taking the test. If they pass the test, they will be able to apply for their license.
However, getting an esthetician license online is a terrific way for students to gain the information they need to flourish in their chosen careers.
Students can save time, money, and energy by taking their classroom experience online, allowing them to focus on studying what they need to know and completing the hours required for certification.
Can I Study Esthetician Programs Online?
Esthetics is one of those courses you don’t get to study fully online.
The reason is that to become an esthetician, you will need to undergo hands-on training under the supervision of experts to equip you for the profession.
Also, aspiring estheticians need to get hands-on training before they can get a license because of hands-on training certification.
Esthetics is art, therefore it will require you to practice as you study just like they do in the Dental Hygiene Schools
Although rare, you can study esthetician courses online as offered by schools accredited and licensed for such programs.
Are There Online Esthetician Schools?
Just like we have mentioned earlier, it’s rare to have esthetician schools that offer their courses and programs online.
However, in a world that has gone digital, all things are possible online even in academics.
So yes there are many esthetician schools online even for students who want to specialize in medical esthetics.
In recent years, most of these online schools have come to receive the best awards for courses and programs structured to train students to become an esthetician.
Who Can Study In An Online Esthetician School?
By design, online courses are for mid-career professionals who want to take their careers up a notch.
Also, online esthetician schools are majorly for working adults who wish to pursue a career in the beauty industry.
Besides these two, anyone with an interest in the beauty industry can study in an online esthetician school.
What Programs Are Offered in Online Esthetician Schools?
The esthetic industry is vast and comes with a lot of categories for specializations.
In that regard, most colleges and schools offering esthetician programs, often have a variety of subdivisions to help students specialize in any niche of the beauty industry.
Because every program is unique, the courses offered will differ greatly.
As a tool of practice after and during your online class, students will perform the theoretical knowledge they obtained on mannequins.
Here are the accredited programs offered by most schools in online esthetician classes;
- Basic skincare.Â
- Ingredient analysis
- Makeup application
- Anatomy and physiology
- Hair removal and waxing.
- Professional business skills.
- Safety, sanitation, and sterilization.
- Marketing, sales, and salon management
- Facials, cleansing, toning and massaging
Ensure your choice of the esthetician program is licensed and accredited by the approved board for online schools.
What is the Cost of Attending an esthetician online school?
The average tuition for an online esthetician program is between $3,000 and $10,000, according to Evergreen Beauty College. The cost will vary based on the length of the program, location, and required training hours in your state.
There may also be other fees associated with attending an esthetician course online program, such as textbooks, registration fees, and equipment, which can vary by program.
What Courses Will I Study In An Online School To Become An Esthetician?
The courses you get to study will depend on your choice of program.
For instance, the courses for Nail technicians will differ from that offered in skincare classes.
All courses in online esthetician schools are tailored to fit the specializations in the industry.
Therefore, when you choose a course, check out the curriculum and structure and what you are expected to get once you complete your program.
Also, ensure that such a course is accredited because without accreditation you will not be licensed as an expert in that field or profession.
Talking about accredited courses, here are some of the accredited courses in the esthetic industry;
- Makeup.
- Anatomy.
- Hair removal.
- Color Therapy.
- Facial treatments.
- Skincare Therapy.
- Cosmetic Chemistry.
Do Online Esthetician Schools Offer Full Esthetic Programs?
Keep in mind that esthetician schools do not offer fully online programs.
All students who go through the online class to be trained in a specialty in beauty school must still get hands-on training on campus.
What the online platform offers you is mainly the theory part of the training.
So, keep in mind that what you get to study online is basically theory.
Must I Complete Practical Courses To Become An Esthetician After Online Courses?
Although there may be few assignments and tests to carry out on mannequins it does not substitute for practical hands-on practicals carried out under the supervision of experts.
So, yes, you must apply to train under an expert and be guided to be licensed as an esthetician after you have completed your online courses.
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Top Accredited Online Esthetician Schools 2022
Even at a medical level, you can study esthetician courses online in an accredited school after which you get your license.
Here are some of the schools that offer esthetician courses that will help you become a professional in this dispensation;
- Mirage Spa Education
- Aglaia Esthetics
- Honolulu Nail and Aesthetics Academy
- Edith Serei Academy
- 3D Lash & Brow Salon Academy
- Estelle Skincare and Spa Institute
- New Age Spa
- Concepts Institute of Advanced Esthetics
- NIMA Institute
- New Age Spa Institute (NASI)
- The Esthetic Institute
- Westside Tech
- JD Academy of Salon and Spa
- Victory’s Academy of Cosmetology
- Aveda Institute
- University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
- Universal Career School
- Paul Mitchell Schools
- Empire Beauty School
- Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics
- Ogle School
- Xenon Academy
- Hollywood Institute of Beauty Career
- Science of Esthetics
- Evergreen Beauty College
- Campbellsville University’s School of Cosmetology
- West Georgia Technical College
- Minnesota School of Cosmetology
- Laurel Technical Institute.
#1. Mirage Spa Education
- Location: Victoria, British Columbia
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Esthetic Course and Esthetic & Spa Therapy.
Mirage Spa Education is the first 100% online esthetics school in Canada since its inception in 2008.
This institution welcomes mid-career professionals and adults with busy schedules to grow their interest in the beauty industry as well as get licensed.
The diploma courses offered are two ways, the Esthetic & Spa Therapy which requires 1200 hours of study, and the Esthetic Course which lasts 800 hours.
All classes are conducted through prerecorded video training.
In terms of accreditation, Mirage Spa Education is approved by the Private Training Institution Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.
#2. Aglaia Esthetics
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Skincare Course Introduction, Skin Therapist, and the Esthetics Program.
At Aglaia Esthetics students can train online in any of the 3 diploma courses offered by the institution.
By design, the Esthetician courses offered online by Aglaia Esthetics are to be completed within 4 to 16 months depending on your own pace.
However, because of the specialties, each will have its unique expected completion date.
For instance, the Skincare Course Introduction takes 250 hours, the Skin Therapist Program takes 500 hours and the Esthetics Program takes 1000 hours.
A peculiar characteristic of the Aglaia Esthetics is the provision for students to have practical residency training after they complete the online course.
This residency program takes about 3 to 12 days of hands-on practical section at the institution.
#3. Honolulu Nail and Aesthetics Academy (HNA)
- Location: Hawaii
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Esthetics and Nail technology
Since its inception in 2004, the Honolulu Nail Academy has taken a special interest in training students in every aspect of Esthetics and Nail technology through its online courses.
Although an online course, Honolulu Nail and Aesthetics Academy offer both the theoretical and practical skills needed for a successful career in the beauty industry.
The Esthetics and Nail technology program at Honolulu Nail and Aesthetics Academy lasts for 600 hours and provides a full online Basic Aesthetician License Course.
In terms of accreditation, Honolulu Nail and Aesthetics Academy is a state-approved beauty school.

#4. Edith Serei Academy
- Location: Downtown Montreal, Canada
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Varieties Not Specified
Edith Serei Academy is one of the best online esthetician schools of aesthetics.
At Edith Serei Academy students go through an online diploma esthetics program designed to complete in 10 weeks.
Keep in mind that the Edith Serei Academy is not a fully online program.
There is a provision for in-class lectures.
#5. 3D Lash & Brow Salon Academy
- Location: Dallas, Texas
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Advanced Esthetics Program
3D Lash & Brow Salon Academy brings a modern approach to the traditional beauty school..
This online course allows working adults to pursue a career in the beauty industry through its Advanced Esthetics Program which lasts for 750 hours.
This can be spread across 5 to 6 months.
Depending on personal preference, students can choose to complete the program in three different formats; 100% online, In-person, or as a hybrid student.
In terms of accreditation, the 3D Lash & Brow is a TDLR Licensed Cosmetology School.
#6. Estelle Skincare & Spa Institute
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Skincare & Spa Program
One of the accredited online esthetician schools on our list is the Estelle Skincare & Spa Institute.
Estelle Skincare & Spa Institute does not just offer online esthetician programs, it also provides a Hybrid Online/In-person in its Skokie Illinois location which lasts up to 6 months.
Hence why it is one of the best esthetician schools.
Estelle Skincare & Spa Institute is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Science, Inc.
#7. New Age Spa
- Location: Montreal and Laval, Canada
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Skincare course, Basic esthetics course, and the Advanced esthetics course.
New Age Spa is not the same as the New Age Spa Institute.
Here at New Age Spa, students can study online esthetics courses and receive a certificate document or diploma on completion.
The programs at New Age Spa are designed so you can study at your own pace without prerequisites.
#8. Concepts Institute of Advanced Esthetics
- Location: Daly City, California
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Medical and Clinical Esthetician Courses.
One of the accredited medical esthetician schools online is the Concepts Institute of Advanced Esthetics.
Concepts Institute of Advanced Esthetics provides advanced esthetics hand-on training and lectures on medical and clinical esthetic topics.
Also, the institution offers Paramedical Esthetics, for people who have already earned training in Esthetics or own a license.
#9. NIMA Institute
- Location: South Jordan, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Varieties of Esthetics Courses and Continuing Education Programs.
National Institute of Medical Aesthetics (NIMA) is also one of the medical esthetician schools that offer online programs.
Although the institution offers a variety of esthetic programs and courses, only a few are available online.
NIMA’s Master Aesthetics Licensure is a hybrid course that requires 1200 hours to complete.
As a requirement, students will have to be on campus 3 days per week.
Also, the National Institute of Medical Aesthetics offers continuing education for licensed estheticians who wish to expand their knowledge of Esthetics.
#10. New Age Spa Institute (NASI)
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Esthetic Courses Offered: Beauty Courses.
New Age Spa Institute is one of the online esthetician schools in Chicago accredited by CIDESCO.
NASI provides training to aspiring estheticians at affordable tuition with Continuing education option.
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How Do I Become a Licensed Esthetician?
Now you know the schools where you can study at home and at your pace and become a licensed esthetician.
After that what next?
If you wish to take up a career as an Esthetician fully licensed, then you need to be guided right.
This articulate step-by-step guide will help you to become an esthetician;
#1. Clock 18 Years Of Age
Even if you’re enrolling in an online school to study esthetician courses, you must have clicked 18 years.
A lot of esthetician schools have age requirements and the beach mark is usually at 18.
So to stand a better chance to train and become an esthetician, you must at least be 18 years of age.
#2. Ensure You Fulfill Your State Requirements
Each state has different requirements for people who want to practice the esthetician profession within the county.
Ensure you check that out and see if your documents and level of education meet the requirements.
#3. Find an Accredited or State-approved Esthetician school.
Once you fulfill the above criteria, you should proceed to study the course by choosing a program or specialty of interest.
Going to an esthetician school is a prerequisite to sit for a license examination.
#4. Complete an Esthetics program
Enroll in an esthetics program with at least 600 training hours.
Some states require at least 600 training hours of study before they can take a license examination.
Upon completion of an esthetics program in an accredited or state-approved school, you will obtain a license for the practice.
#5. Take a license examination
Once you have successfully completed your selected program the next step is to get your license.
How do you do that?
First, you have to sit for a licensing exam. If you pass it, you will be awarded a license after.
Keep in mind that if you did not attend any of the licensed and accredited esthetician schools, you will not receive a license to practice.
That means you will not be able to practice or become an esthetician.
#6. Get a Job
Now that you have your license, it’s time to practice.
All licensed estheticians can look for jobs or open a beauty shop based on their specialty.
You can get jobs in spas, hotels, salons, gyms, and even dermatology offices.
#7. Enroll in Continuing Education Courses
Because the beauty industry keeps evolving with time and trends, you have to keep in step with the new trends if you want to offer the needed services in this dispensation.
Besides that, continuing education courses are prerequisites to renew your license.
How to choose an Esthetician School Specialty
Some online esthetician licensing colleges offer students to choose a specialty. Specialty courses teach you how to administer treatments that you would not study in a basic training program, such as:
- Wraps
- Reiki
- Aromatherapy
- Microdermabrasion
- Body treatments
- Innovative spa therapies
- Advanced facial massage
- Laser hair removal
- Advanced acne treatment
- Theatrical makeup
- Permanent makeup (tattooing)
- Other makeup artistry techniques, such as airbrush or camouflage
What are some Skincare Esthetician Classes To be Taken?
Estheticians are skin care experts who specialize in a variety of areas, some of which are also covered in cosmetology school.
They learn to recognize and diagnose skin diseases and ailments, as well as how to treat them. Estheticians specialize in facials, microdermabrasion, peels, and scrubs.
They also study what each of these techniques accomplishes for the skin and when to recommend them to their clients. Detecting skin disorders, which could range from acne to skin cancer detection.
However, here are some online classes for esthetician programs.
- Hair Removal: Hair removal and dealing with unruly facial and body hair is another aspect of an esthetician’s expertise. During this course, students learn about waxing, Sugaring, Depilatory creams, Electrolysis, etc.
- Makeup Application and Removal: Estheticians also do quite a bit of work regarding makeup application and removal. They learn how to make their clients look their best, all while taking the best care possible of the skin.
- Body Treatments: This online course helps esthetician students learn how to use microdermabrasion, peels, and scrubs on the skin of the body as well as the face as well as blackhead extractions.
- Nail Care:Â Provides basic information on manicures, pedicures, nail structures, nail diseases and disorders, cuticle treatments, and repair of torn nails.
- Skin Analysis and Massage:Â This course treats exfoliation, facial massage methods, facial mask treatments, and facial cleansing techniques.
- Cosmetic chemistry:Â Study information on skin biology, cell physiology, emulsions, and skin products.
- Make-up application and color theory:Â Check the techniques for applying foundation and eye make-up as well as the application tools and skin colors.
- Medical Terminology:Â Understand the medical terms and meanings of words and phrases that are commonly used in all areas of the medical specialty for medical transcription purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esthetician Online Schools
Where Can I Study Esthetician Online Courses?
Many esthetics programs are offered at
- Community colleges
- Nursing schools
- Beauty institutions.
- Cosmetology schools.
What is the Duration For Online Esthetician Programs?
Generally, the length of a full esthetic program is between 4 to 12 months which requires about 600 hours of training.
Thus, if you are asking, how Long Will Esthetician School Online Take?
The length of online esthetician courses is directly related to the number of training hours required in your state, and most esthetician online schools demand some hands-on instruction to comply with state regulations.
Based on your state board licensing criteria, you might want to find out the precise training hour needed. Other online colleges provide certificates in less time.
That is to say, based on specialization, the duration of esthetician programs will differ.
Also depending on your schedule, this time may be extended or shortened.
Where Can I Work As An Esthetician?
Licensed Estheticians can work in different industries such as;
- Gyms
- Salon
- Hotels
- Beauty spas
- Cruise ships
- Dermatology office.
Besides these, Estheticians can work with Sports Medicine Doctors to keep the skin of athletes looking great as they keep fit.
Also, Estheticians can also start up a business of their own in the beauty industry.
Is There A Difference Between an Esthetician and a Dermatologist?
Of course, dermatology and esthetics are two different professions though they have a similar focus.Â
Both professionals focus on the skin as their major focus, but they don’t perform the same duties.
Basically, Dermatologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating medical skin conditions and diseases.
On the other hand, the Estheticians are professional skin specialists whose focus is more on the beautification of the skin.
While the Dermatologists work in medical offices, the Estheticians work in beauty spas, salons, and gyms.Â
When the Esthetician works in Dermatology offices, they work under the supervision of dermatologists.
A major difference between the two professions is also in the duration of academic studies.
While the esthetician programs can be completed in 16 months or less, Dermatologists spend years in school to be certified.
Lastly, the salary structure of the dermatologist greatly differs from that of the Esthetician.
Dermatologists according to Payscale.com earned about $245,059 in 2022 while the average hourly pay for an Esthetician is $14.60.
Are There Fully Online Esthetics Programs?
No there are not.
As we have earlier stated, most online esthetician schools don’t offer fully online programs and courses.
Rather than full online programs, esthetician schools offer more hybrid programs where you take the theory classes online and practical sessions on campus or in the organization’s designated areas.
Why Are There Not Full Online Esthetic Programs?
One of the reasons why you will never find a full online esthetic program is due to the fact that Estheticians are required to have hands-on training before they can be licensed.
And this can not be achieved online.
What is the Cost of Attending an Esthetician online school?
Basically, there is no fixed tuition cost for all esthetician online courses both for medical and no nonmedical programs.
This is so because the tuition cost will depend on the course, school, or institution offering the program as well as the intensity of the course.
However, according to Evergreen Beauty College, the average tuition for an online esthetician program is between $3,000 and $10,000.
We hope this article was able to answer your questions on the best online esthetician schools and colleges for medical and nonmedical programs.
Also we believe that the list of courses we have listed will help you make a choice of online school as it suits your professional needs.
We wish you luck with your application.
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References
- 30 Best Esthetician Schools Online in 2022 Best Esthetician Schools Online in 2022
- Best Esthetician Schools Online in 2022 | Tuitions and Certification |
- 50 beauty industry statistics to keep you on trend
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