Esthetician Schools in New Jersey
Attending esthetician school in New Jersey may be a smart choice to jump-start a career, and the number of esthetician jobs is growing rapidly.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in New Jersey, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Esthetician Schools in New Jersey
For School Owners
Don't see your school listed? Want to discuss becoming a featured school in the directory? Contact us to learn more.
301 Gibraltar Drive Suite 1A
Morris Plains, NJ 7950
45 Sunset Strip and Route 10 East
Succasunna, NJ 7876
121 Watchung Avenue
North Plainfield, NJ 7060
1458 Route 35 South
Ocean Township, NJ 7712
312 State Street
Perth Amboy, NJ 8861
70 East Holly Avenue
Pitman, NJ 8071
5518 Bergenline Avenue
West New York, NJ 7093
4741 U.S. Highway 9
Howell, NJ 7731
Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics and Cosmetology – Accredited
Pine Brook, NJ 7058
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:
How to Become a Esthetician in New Jersey
- 600 education hours 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 New Jersey is $39,760.
- There is a predicted 17% job increase between 2018 - 2028 for estheticians.
Estheticians (called "skin care specialists" by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling) must be licensed to practice in the state. Unlike cosmetologists, estheticians focus entirely on skin care. They analyze clients’ skin conditions, provide cleansing or moisturizing treatments, treat skin conditions, remove unwanted hair, apply makeup, and teach clients how to care for their skin at home.
To qualify for a skin care specialist license, you must:
New Jersey Esthetics Careers
Average yearly salary for esthetics in New Jersey
The average salary for skin care specialists in New Jersey in 2020 was $39,760 annually, or $19.11 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is a bit less than average wages in the U.S. for skin care specialists, which come in at $41,700 per year and $20.05 per hour.
Skin care specialist jobs in New Jersey are projected to increase by 17% between 2018 and 2028.
The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in New Jersey are:
| Metro Area | 2021 Median Annual Salary |
| Trenton, NJ | $36,090 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $35,220 |
| Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ | $30,930 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $30,440 |
Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)
What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in New Jersey
Required to earn a esthetics license
According to the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the skin care specialty license authorizes you to clean, massage, stimulate, remove hair from, or apply cosmetic products to the face and neck, as well as other areas such as the upper chest, scalp, extremities, or abdomen. The license enables you to perform these tasks by hand or mechanical or electrical appliances, but not electrolysis. Additionally, skin care specialists may not cut hair, perform massages, or offer nail treatments.
To obtain a skin care specialty license, you must complete 600 hours of specialized training through an approved esthetics or skin care program in New Jersey or another institution approved by the state. Programs generally include classroom training and practical (hands-on) training on real clients or mannequins. Typical courses cover such topics as:
Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in New Jersey?
No, New Jersey does not offer an apprenticeship path to licensure.
New Jersey Esthetician Licensing Requirements
After you complete your 600 hours of formal training to become an esthetician, it’s time to apply to sit for your examination for licensure. On the application, you must demonstrate proof of age and indicate where you received your training and graduated. The application must include a $50 non-refundable filing fee and a $90 licensing fee during the first year of the licensing period ($45 for the second year).
Once you’ve scheduled your exam, you will be issued a temporary permit so that you can begin working as an esthetician until you complete the exam; the temporary permit is good for 120 days and expires as soon as you have your official license.
The exam consists of both written and practical components. It is administered in English, though applicants may take the test in Spanish or with a translator. You may also have the option to take a computer-based test administered by a board-approved third-party vendor (with an additional fee) instead of the written portion.
You must earn at least a 75 on the theory portion of the test before you can complete the practical test, which is evaluated on a pass/fail basis. If you fail either portion (or fail to show up for your exam), you may reschedule another exam if you submit a written request to the board. You can only take the exam twice without paying an additional fee.
New Jersey Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity
If you possess a skin care specialist license in another state or country, you may be able to receive a New Jersey license without taking an exam if the location that issued your license has similar training criteria. On-the-job experience of three years or more also may allow you to bypass the exam requirement.
If you served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you might be able to apply for a license with a portion of the required esthetician training. You must pass an exam and demonstrate that you received adequate training, education, or experience during military service and that the combination is roughly equivalent to what’s typically required for skin care specialists.
Esthetician Specialties in New Jersey
New Jersey has demonstrated its commitment to humane cosmetics products by banning animal testing in 2021. This paves the way for skin care specialists to focus on natural, organic, environmentally friendly products and services. In fact, more than 75 salons in the New York-New Jersey area partner with Green Circle, which helps salons observe more green practices.
Other niche services that estheticians in New Jersey may want to offer include waxing, facials for certain populations such as pregnant women and teens, body wraps or scrubs, special event or stage makeup, permanent makeup, or spray-tan applications.
You can also pursue other New Jersey professional beauty licenses, such as cosmetologist-hairstylist, manicurist, or teacher of cosmetology and hairstyling.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
You must renew your license every two years. Continuing education credits are not required to maintain licenses. You’ll receive renewal notification from the state board of cosmetology at least 60 days before your license expires.
To renew, you need to submit a renewal application, along with the required $90 licensing fee, prior to the expiration date. Licensees are given a 30-day grace period after their expiration to submit the renewal application, though you’ll need to submit a late fee of $30 as well.
Contact the New Jersey State Board of Esthetics
- PO Box 45003 Newark, NJ 07101
- Website: New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling
- Email: Malangaj@dca.njoag.gov
- Call: 973-504-6400
- Fax: 973-504-6477
The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology can help you with updating your name or change of address information, acquiring out-of-state licensing, renewal and other useful forms, as well as answer other questions about obtaining a New Jersey cosmetology license.
New Jersey Salon, Spa, and School Alliance is an advocacy group. As part of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, they helps salon and spa owners and beauty schools operate safely, legally, and effectively.