Esthetician Schools in Michigan
If you're considering a career as an esthetician, Michigan may be an ideal state to pursue this exciting career. Unlike cosmetology, where training can take months or even years, estheticians in Michigan only need 400 hours of training in a school or over six months of apprenticeship to earn a license.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Michigan, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Esthetician Schools in Michigan
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333 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
138 Commerce Avenue Southwest
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
331 East Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, MI 48823
125 West 4th Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067
4390 Dixie Highway
Waterford Township, MI 48329
David Pressley School of Cosmetology - Royal Oak – Accredited
Royal Oak, MI 48067
The Salon Professional Academy - Battle Creek – Accredited
Battle Creek, MI 49015
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.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Esthetician Schools Near Me
Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Michigan have to offer.
Cost of Esthetician School Across MI
| Metro | Average Tuition |
|---|---|
| Lansing | $13,500 |
| Grand Rapids / Kalamazoo / Battle Creek | $9,607 |
| Detroit | $8,477 |
| Toledo | $7,150 |
| Flint / Saginaw / Bay City | $4,000 |
Comparing Program Costs in MI
| Cosmetology School Costs |
|---|
| Highest range: $15,257 - $27,150 |
| Lowest range: $3,363 - $15,257 |
| Average: $16,864 |
| Esthetics/Skin Care School Costs |
| Highest range: $8,408 - $13,500 |
| Lowest range: $3,315 - $8,408 |
| Average: $8,551 |
How to Become a Esthetician in Michigan
- 400 education hours or apprentice hours over six months are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average for estheticians in Michigan is $48,600.
- There is a predicted 2% job increase between 2018 - 2028 for estheticians.
If want to be an esthetician in Michigan, there are several requirements you need to meet.
These requirements include:
Estheticians in Michigan are qualified to provide services that beautify the skin, including applying lotions and tonic, body wrapping, cleaning or stimulating the skin, temporary removal of body hair, application of removable makeup, facials, and applying eyelashes.
The license doesn't allow you to apply permanent makeup, use tanning equipment, or provide manicures, pedicures, or any hairstyling services.
Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Michigan
Average yearly salary for esthetics in Michigan
As of 2021, estheticians in Michigan earned a mean salary of $48,600 per year ($23.36 per hour). Your salary may vary based on the area where you work, the type of facility you work in, and the variety of services you offer.
The number of esthetician jobs in Michigan is expected to grow by 2% between 2018 and 2028.
Only a few areas in Michigan report their estheticians' median salaries. As of 2021, those amounts are:
Information sourced from O*Net (2022)
How to Become an Esthetician in Michigan
Required to earn a esthetics license
The first step to becoming a licensed Michigan esthetician is to complete the required 400 hours of in-class training at a licensed cosmetology school. Your training will cover various topics, including how to apply lotions and tonic, makeup application, hair removal, facial massages, job skills, and cleaning requirements.
In most cases, you’ll spend the first few weeks in the classroom before moving to a classroom salon, where you'll practice hands-on skills.
The exact classes, and the hours you spend learning each skill, can vary by school and program. In general, you can expect to take courses covering the following skills:
As an esthetician, you can't work with the hair on the head, use electricity, apply permanent makeup, or provide manicures or pedicures. If you're interested in offering those services, consider applying to become a cosmetologist in Michigan.
Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Michigan?
Required to earn a esthetics license
The state of Michigan offers another path to earn an esthetics license through apprenticeship. To follow this path, you must apply and be accepted as an apprentice in a licensed cosmetology business and earn at least 400 hours of experience over six months.
During your time as an apprentice, all topics covered in a traditional esthetics program must be covered.
Upon completing your apprenticeship, you need to pass the theory and practical esthetician exams, pay your application fees, fill out a certificate of completion, and apply for your esthetician license. While this path might be a bit longer than attending classes, it may be more convenient and affordable for some students.
Michigan Esthetician Licensing Requirements
After completing the 400 hours of required training (or your apprenticeship), apply to take written and practical Michigan esthetician exams online via the Michigan Licensing and Regulation Affairs website. After applying and paying the $63 fee, you can register to take the exams on the PSI website.
The esthetician exam is two parts: a 95-minute practical exam, demonstrating your skills as an esthetician, and a 120-minute computer-based theory exam. The total cost for both exams is $167, and you can retake the exam if needed by reregistering and paying the fee again. If you only take one portion of the exam for any reason, the cost for that individual exam is $93.
The theory exam is a 100-question, multiple-choice test covering topics such as safe working conditions, sanitation, skin and hair anatomy and physiology, client consultations, skin diseases, facial treatments, massage techniques, makeup, and artificial eyelash application. You must score at least 70% to pass.
The practical exam requires you to bring a mannequin and other supplies to demonstrate your skills in a hands-on test. During the practical test, you need to properly sanitize your hands and your workstation, remove makeup, massage the face, apply a face mask, tweeze eyebrows, and properly clean up and disinfect your workstation. To pass, you must score at least 75%.
The cosmetology exam is available in both English and Spanish.
Michigan Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity
Michigan offers reciprocity for esthetician licenses.
This allows you to skip the 400-hours of classroom time or six months of apprenticeship training and the required test in some cases. However, you must still apply and pay for the license.
If you completed an esthetician course but did not obtain a license, or if your license lapsed three or more years ago, you must take both the practical and written exams to earn a Michigan esthetician license.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
All cosmetology licenses in the state of Michigan must be renewed every two years. The process is simple, and you don’t have to take any continuing education classes for approval. Licensed renewal applications are submitted online, and you must pay a $48.00 renewal application fee.
Contact the Michigan State Board of Esthetics
- 611 West Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48909
- Website: Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
- Call: 517-335-9700
The Michigan State Board of Cosmetology can help you answer additional questions about obtaining a Michigan state cosmetology license. Here's another resource that can help aspiring cosmetologists:
Michigan Association of Beauty Professionals
This organization is dedicated to the growth of the beauty industry in the state of Michigan. You can learn about events, network with other beauty professionals, and find apprenticeships.