Esthetician Schools in Arkansas

Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Arkansas, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Esthetician in Arkansas

An esthetician in Arkansas is a beauty professional who performs skincare services to enhance a client's appearance.

According to the Arkansas State Board of Health, to become an esthetician in the state, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Have completed two years of high school or the equivalent
• Have completed 480 hours of esthetics training
• Submit a prelicensure criminal background check petition
• Submit an exam application
• Pay the required testing fees
• Pass the esthetics theory and practical exams and state law exam

Being convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may disqualify you from licensure.

Can I Specialize in an Esthetics Area in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, you can perform various specialty esthetics services, including microneedling, eyelash extension application, and laser services with a Class 1 or Class 2 device. However, estheticians can't perform microblading services.

You can also work as a medical esthetician, performing specialized treatments such as post-burn care or plastic surgery recovery. These professionals tend to have additional training and often work in medical offices or rehabilitation centers.

A specialty area may open you up to more job opportunities and a higher salary. For instance, medical estheticians in Arkansas earn $47,004 annually on average. This is slightly higher than the state's typical esthetician salary.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Arkansas

In Arkansas, estheticians make, on average, an annual salary of $39,970 or $19.22 per hour. This is slightly higher than the national average of $41,700 annually.

Esthetician wages in Arkansas range. But factors like location, specialty services offered, and experience affect an esthetician's income. The lowest-paid 10% of estheticians in Arkansas make $28,180 or less, and the top 10% of professionals earn $52,460 or more.

Job growth information isn't available for Arkansas. But nationally, the esthetician profession is expected to grow by 17% by 2031.

The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in Arkansas are:

Table information sourced from O*Net (2023)

State License Requirements

To become an esthetician in Arkansas, you must complete 480 hours of esthetics training before taking the required licensure exam. Any state-approved esthetics curriculum must include:

• Bacteriology and sanitation
• Chemistry
• Eyebrows and lashes
• Hair removal
• Introduction to skincare
• Makeup and corrective makeup
• Management
• Physiology
• Professional and personality development
• Safety precautions
• Salesmanship
• Skincare
• State laws and rules
• Testing evaluation
• Instructor's discretion
• One hour of domestic violence and sexual assault training

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Arkansas?  

Arkansas doesn't offer esthetician apprenticeships.

Arkansas Esthetician Licensing Requirements

To become a licensed esthetician in Arkansas, you must pass the esthetics theory, practical, and state law exams. The written test and state law exam cost $60 each. The practical exam costs $65.

The written exam covers:

1. Scientific concepts (55 percent)

• Infection control procedures
• Human physiology and anatomy
• Histology and physiology of the skin
• Skin disorders and diseases
• Composition of body hair
• Basic chemistry

2. Skincare and services (45 percent)

• Client consultation and documentation
• Cleansing procedures
• Steaming procedures
• Exfoliation procedures
• Extraction procedures
• Massage movements and effects
• Masks
• Hair removal methods and procedures
• Makeup application
• Use of electrical equipment during skin services
• Body treatments
• Eyelash extensions

Applicants needing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations for the theory exam must contact the Arkansas Department of Health Cosmetology Section for approval.

If you need ADA accommodations for the state law exam, you have to submit a request through the testing center, PSI. Tests are offered in Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese in addition to English.

Arkansas Esthetician License Reciprocity  

Estheticians from other states can apply for licensure in Arkansas through reciprocity.

To qualify, an applicant:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Show proof of a valid license with a certified copy and an affidavit from the prior state of residence.
• Provide proof of training that meets Arkansas' minimum number of hours.
• Pass an exam comparable to Arkansas' esthetics exam.
• Pass the Arkansas law exam.
• Submit a reciprocity form along with relevant documents.
• Pay the $50 reciprocity fee.
• Have no prior felony or misdemeanor convictions.
• Submit a prelicensure criminal background check petition.

Active-duty military personnel in Arkansas, veterans applying within one year of being discharged, or their spouses can apply for automatic licensure.

To qualify:

• Submit a military reciprocity form along with the relevant documentation
• Show proof of a valid license with a certified copy and an affidavit from the former state of residence
• Pay the $50 reciprocity fee

License Renewal

Esthetician licenses expire on the licensee's birthday every two years. To renew, the licensee must submit a license renewal application and pay the $50 renewal fee no later than 30 days following the expiration date.

You can renew your license up to five years after it expires. If five years have passed, the esthetician must submit an application form, pay the required fees, and retake the exam. However, veterans with lapsed licenses don't need to retake the exam.

No continuing education is needed to renew an esthetician license in Arkansas. Still, continuing education classes are always recommended to stay up to date in the esthetics industry.

Contact the Arkansas State Board of Esthetics

Resources for Estheticians in Arkansas  

Arkansas Department of Health Cosmetology Section
This is the government agency in charge of regulating the cosmetology profession in Arkansas.

National Coalition of Estheticians Association Arkansas Branch
This Arkansas Estheticians Facebook page serves as the webpage for the organization, offering continuing education activities and helping estheticians become certified.

Esthetician Connection – Arkansas
This is a private Facebook group for estheticians in Arkansas to share advice, support, and education.

Arkansas Beauty Community
This Facebook group is designed for beauty professionals and enthusiasts to share tips and recommendations and promote their work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Esthetician Programs and Careers
On this Beauty Schools Directory page, we answer common questions about esthetician training and the profession.