Esthetician Schools in Kentucky

With the number of jobs growing at an astounding rate, now may be the time to become an esthetician in Kentucky. rowse our directory of esthetician schools in Kentucky, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

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554 Westport Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

(270) 600-4047
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Teacher Training
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Ashland Community and Technical College

1400 College Drive
Ashland, KY 41101

College for Technical Education - Lexington – Accredited

1165 Centre Parkway 120
Lexington, KY 40517

CTE School Of Cosmetology – Accredited

2135 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391

Edge Academy of Beauty – Accredited

356 Manchester Square Shopping Center Suite 19
Manchester, KY 40962

Great Ambitions School of Cosmetology – Accredited

1102 Paris Road Suite 19
Mayfield, KY 42066

Ideal Beauty Academy - Louisville – Accredited

10213 Linn Station Road
Louisville, KY 40223

Katharos School of Aesthetics – Accredited

2670 Wilhite Drive Suite 200
Lexington, KY 40503

Louisville Beauty Academy – Accredited

1049 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204

Paul Mitchell The School Louisville – Accredited

156 North Hurstbourne Parkway
Louisville, KY 40222

PJ's College of Cosmetology - Bowling Green – Accredited

1901 Russellville Road
Bowling Green, KY 42101

PJ's College of Cosmetology - Glasgow – Accredited

920 Happy Valley Road
Glasgow, KY 42141

PJ's College of Cosmetology - Louisville – Accredited

2911 South Hurstbourne Parkway
Louisville, KY 40220

Regina Webb Academy – Accredited

2425 Scottsville Road Suite 116
Bowling Green, KY 42104

South Eastern Beauty Academy – Accredited

318 Second Street
Paintsville, KY 41240

Summit Salon Academy - Lexington – Accredited

1300 New Circle Road Suite 110
Lexington, KY 40505
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Esthetician Schools Near Me

Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Kentucky have to offer.

How to Become a Esthetician in Kentucky

Kentucky Esthetician Careers At a Glance
  • 750 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 1 year.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for estheticians in Kentucky is $35,430.
  • There is a predicted 27% job increase between 2020–2030 for estheticians.

In Kentucky, an esthetician is defined as a beauty professional who performs skin care services such as cleansing, exfoliation, facials, makeup application, hair removal, massage, and eyelash extensions.

According to the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology, to become an esthetician in the state, you must:

  • Complete 750 hours of esthetics training
  • Complete a 12th-grade education (or equivalent)
  • Pass written and practical exams
  • Apply for a license
  • Pay the $50 licensing fee
  • Receive a license verification

Applying for a License with a Criminal History

A felony in your past does not mean you'll be automatically denied an esthetics license in Kentucky. But you need to submit extra documentation when you apply. Candidates with criminal convictions must include the following alongside their application:

  • A signed letter of explanation
  • A certified copy of the judgment and sentence from the issuing court
  • A letter of good standing from your probation or parole officer, if currently on probation or parole

Can I Specialize in an Esthetics Area in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, licensed estheticians can work as medical or nurse estheticians under the direct supervision of a physician. They often provide preoperative and postoperative skin care in plastic surgeon's offices or rehabilitation centers.

Under a physician's supervision, medical estheticians can provide services such as:

  • Microdermabrasion
  • Acid and chemical exfoliation
  • Using prescription medical devices

Offering specialized treatments as an esthetician may open you up to more job opportunities and a higher salary. For instance, medical estheticians in Kentucky make an average of $48,536 annually, which is higher than the state's mean salary of $35,430 for regular estheticians.

Estheticians can also receive permits to practice eyebrow threading, makeup, or eyelash artistry. To offer these specialties, applicants must have completed a board-approved sanitation course within the last six months before applying, submit a permit application, and pay the $50 permit fee. Individuals hoping to receive an eyelash artistry permit must also complete a board-approved eyelash certificate training program within the last six months before applying.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Kentucky

$35,430

Average yearly salary for esthetics in Kentucky

On average, estheticians in Kentucky earn $35,430 annually or $17.03 per hour. However, wages vary, with the top 10% of estheticians in Kentucky making $45,880 or more and the lowest 10% making $23,030 or less. Geographic location, specialties, and years of experience impact an esthetician's income.

The career outlook for estheticians in Kentucky is particularly bright, with jobs projected to grow by 27% from 2020-2030. This is much higher than the national average of 17%.

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

Metro Area 2022 Median Salary
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $42,000
Clarksville, TN-KY $40,520
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $35,860
Lexington-Fayette, KY $35,580

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Kentucky

750 Education Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

To become an esthetician in Kentucky, you must complete 750 hours of esthetics training at a State board-approved school before applying for licensure.

These 750 hours must include:

  • 250 lecture hours for science and theory
  • 35 hours on the subject of applicable Kentucky statutes and administrative regulations
  • 465 clinic and practice hours

You must complete at least 115 hours of training before you will be permitted to perform services on members of the public. Before this, you must practice your new skills on mannequins and your fellow students instead.

A state-approved esthetician curriculum must include:

Basics

  • History and career opportunities
  • Professional image
  • Communication

General sciences

  • Infection control: Principles and practices
  • General anatomy and physiology
  • Basics of chemistry
  • Basics of electricity
  • Basics of nutrition

Skin sciences

  • Physiology and histology of the skin
  • Disorders and diseases of the skin
  • Skin analysis
  • Skin care products: Chemistry, ingredients, and selection

Esthetics

  • Treatment room
  • Basic facials
  • Facial massage
  • Facial machines
  • Hair removal
  • Advanced topics and treatments
  • Application of artificial eyelashes
  • Makeup

Business Skills

  • Career planning
  • The skin care business
  • Selling products and services

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Kentucky?  

No, Kentucky doesn't offer esthetician apprenticeships.

Kentucky Esthetician Licensing Requirements

To become a licensed esthetician in Kentucky, you must pass both practical and written esthetics exams. Each test costs $85. The theory test is only offered in English.

The practical exam covers:

  • Workstation preparation: 10 minutes
  • Basic facial: 25 minutes
  • Eyebrow waxing and tweezing: Varied timing
  • Makeup application: 25 minutes
  • End-of-day clean-up: 10 minutes

The written exam covers:

Safety and infection control: 34%

  • Workstation and environment
  • Safe working practices
  • Regulatory agencies
  • Infection control
  • Standard precautions for exposure incidents
  • Effective safety responses for client injury

Client consultation: 4%

  • Client intake form
  • Client release form
  • Contraindications

Skin analysis: 13%

  • Skin structure, type, conditions, and disorders

Skin care: 27%

  • Products and product chemistry
  • Procedures

Makeup: 4%

  • Procedures
  • Eyelash extensions and enhancements

Hair removal: 13%

  • Waxing
  • Tweezing

Advanced treatments: 5%

  • Chemical exfoliation
  • Microdermabrasion
  • Electrotherapy

Applicants needing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations must create an account in the testing center system, then submit a test accommodation request form. You may also need to provide evidence of your disability and how it will impact your examination experience.

Kentucky Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

Estheticians from other states can obtain a Kentucky esthetics license through reciprocity.

To do this, you must:

  • Provide certification of hours and/or license
  • Submit a license transfer application, along with any relevant documentation
  • Pay the $100 endorsement fee
  • Pass the written and practical Kentucky State exams

If your out-of-state hours don't match Kentucky's requirement, you must complete the remaining hours before applying for the licensure exam.

Military Reciprocity

Military members and spouses who hold an active license in another state can transfer their license to Kentucky by submitting a military sponsor license transfer application, documentation and a $100 fee.

License Renewal

1 Year

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

Esthetician licenses in Kentucky must be renewed every July by submitting a renewal application and paying the $50 renewal fee. If you don't renew by July 31, your license is considered expired, and you'll have to pay the $50 restoration fee.

No continuing education is needed to renew an esthetician's license in Kentucky. Still, continuing education classes are always recommended to stay up-to-date with current trends and developments in the esthetics industry.

Contact the Kentucky State Board of Esthetics

Kentucky Board of Cosmetology

Resources for Estheticians in Kentucky

Kentucky Board of Cosmetology
The government agency tasked with regulating the state's beauty industry.

Kentucky Association of Medical Aesthetic Providers
An organization dedicated to promoting community and safety in the medical aesthetics industry.

National Coalition of Estheticians Association Kentucky Branch
An organization offering continuing education activities and helping estheticians become certified.

Kentucky Esthetician Group
A Facebook group aiming to connect estheticians across the state to provide education, support, and networking opportunities.

Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Esthetics/Skin Care
Kentucky

How to Become a Esthetician in Your State