Esthetician Schools in Nebraska

If you want to become an esthetician, Nebraska could be a great place to begin. With pay higher than the national average and among the highest in the Midwest, you could find yourself making a pretty good living in a lower-cost state!

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

How to Become a Esthetician in Nebraska

As an esthetician, you care for the top layer of the skin. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) oversees and sets the licensing requirements for estheticians in the state.

To become an esthetician in Nebraska, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Complete 600 hours of training.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have a diploma from a cosmetology or esthetician school.
• Pass written and practical examinations.
• Complete a form listing and explaining all misdemeanor and felony convictions, if applicable.
• Pay a $95 initial license fee, though your fee is waived if you are between the ages of 17 and 25, qualify as low-income, or are part of a military family.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the United States.
• Provide proof of completion of a first aid course.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Nebraska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, skin care specialists in Nebraska earn an average yearly salary of $47,430, or $22.80 per hour. But, there's a wide gap between the lowest- and highest-paid skincare specialists in Nebraska, with the bottom 10% earning $21,570 and the top 10% earning $75,100 per year on average.

The predictions are bright for estheticians in Nebraska. Between 2020 and 2030, O*Net projects job growth of 23%, which is higher than the 17% growth expected for skincare specialists across the United States.

However, other factors can influence your salary, such as location, cost of living, hours, and where you work.

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

Table information sourced from O*Net (2023)

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Nebraska

To become licensed as an esthetician in Nebraska, you must take 600 hours at a cosmetology or esthetics school.

The 600 hours of education include:

• 140 hours in freshman theory and practical curriculum
• 60 hours in advanced theory and practical curriculum
• 320 hours in advanced clinical practices, in which students practice on models, other students, or members of the public

Esthetician schools are approved by the NDHHS. They must offer the following classes:

• Anatomy (cell, tissue, organs)
• Basic and advanced facials (skin care, massage, benefits or contraindications, etc.)
• Body treatments (body scrubs, water therapy, etc.)
• Chemistry (cosmetic products, ingredients, and regulations)
• Contouring and custom blending
• Cosmetic surgery information
• Electricity (basic principles, equipment in the treatment room, etc.)
• Esthetics in the medical field
• Exfoliants (manual, chemical, etc.)
• General sciences (first aid, infection control, microbiology)
• Hair removal (tweezing, waxing, etc.)
• Infection control practices
• Nebraska statutes, rules, and regulations
• Nutrition for skin
• Skin analysis (skin types and conditions, contraindications, etc.)
• Skin sciences (physiology or histology, skin diseases, skin disorders)

Schools may also offer 40 additional optional hours in advanced classes. These hours are earned outside of school and can include the following:

• Work in a salon
• Work at fashion shows, theaters, or similar environments
• Continuing competency classes outside of school

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Nebraska?  

You can be an esthetician apprentice in Nebraska, but you can't earn a license just through apprenticeship.

There are also specific rules for apprentices. First, only some schools offer credit. Additionally, you can only apprentice in salons approved by the NDHHS.

The criteria a salon must meet to get approved as an apprentice salon include the following:

• An active license as a cosmetology or esthetics salon
• Employment of one active esthetic instructor per every two apprentice students
• An area of at least 100 square feet to be used for educational purposes
• A successful inspection by the NDHHS

Nebraska Esthetician Licensing Requirements

After completing the 600 hours of esthetics education, you can apply for your license and take the exams.

Here's what you need to submit:

• If you're a U.S. citizen, you must provide a photocopy of your proof of citizenship in the form of a birth certificate, passport, or other documented proof. A driver's license is NOT accepted.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must provide a photocopy of your green card, form I-94, or employment authorization card.
• Proof of your high school education, including your diploma, GED, or equivalent education document.
• A photocopy of your cosmetology or esthetics school diploma.
• Any health-related licensure or certification you received in a state other than Nebraska.
• A list and explanation of all misdemeanor and felony convictions.
• A completed application form.

Next, you must have your school complete the form attached to the application to confirm that you completed the program.

Finally, register for your exam and pay the $95 fee. After passing the exam, you can submit the licensure application.

Nebraska Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity  

Nebraska offers licensure via reciprocity if you've earned an esthetician license in another state.

If you're licensed in another state and are a military spouse, you can even practice immediately with a temporary license for up to one year.

To earn a Nebraska esthetician license through reciprocity, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Be a high school graduate.
• Have an active esthetician or cosmetology license in another state.
• Have completed either 1,800 hours of education in cosmetology or 600 hours in esthetics.

You must also submit the same documentation as those earning their license via exam and pay the $95 application fee.

License Renewal

Esthetician licenses expire on September 30 of even-numbered years. You must take eight hours of continuing education to renew the license and pay the $118 renewal fee.

Contact the Nebraska State Board of Esthetics

Resources for Estheticians in Nebraska

Estheticians of Nebraska
A Facebook group for skincare specialists in Nebraska to network and discuss trends in the industr.

Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP)
The Nebraska page for ASCP, which offers student memberships