Esthetician Schools in Ohio

Becoming a licensed esthetician in Ohio may mean entering a growing field with salaries well above those provided to cosmetologists in the state. It doesn't matter whether you're based in Akron or Hamilton, Dayton or Toledo: jobs abound throughout the state, and opportunities may continue growing throughout your career.

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

Browse All Esthetician Schools in Ohio

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1165 East Main Street
Ashland, OH 44805

(419) 903-0440
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

175 Benedict Avenue
Norwalk, OH 44857

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

2445 West State Street
Alliance, OH 44601

(330) 574-4862
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

615 Boardman-Canfield Road
Boardman, OH 44512

(330) 574-7181
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy

3307 Center Road
Brunswick, OH 44212

(330) 574-9518
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

815 Youngstown Warren Road
Niles, OH 44446

(330) 574-7893
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology

24761 Lorain Road North
Olmsted, OH 44070

(330) 574-6605
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

34999 Euclid Avenue
Willoughby, OH 44094

(330) 574-9054
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology
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Apollo Career Center – Accredited

3325 Shawnee Road
Lima, OH 45806

Artisan School of Cosmetology – Accredited

706 Belrock Avenue
Belpre, OH 45714

Aveda Fredric’s Institute Cincinnati – Accredited

7664 Voice of America Centre Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

Aveda Institute Columbus – Accredited

889 Bethel Road
Columbus, OH 43214

Beauty Artistry Academy – Accredited

792 Eastgate South Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45245

Brown Aveda Institute Mentor – Accredited

8816 Mentor Avenue
Mentor, OH 44060

Brown Aveda Institute Strongsville – Accredited

17901 Southpark Center Space 160
Strongsville, OH 44136

Casal Aveda Institute – Accredited

5555 Youngstown Warren Road Unit 606
Niles, OH 44446

Cincinnati Institute of Esthetics and Nails – Accredited

10700 Montgomery Road Suite 100
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

568 Miamisburg-Centerville Road
Centerville, OH 45459

Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology Vandalia Campus – Accredited

7535 Poe Avenue
Dayton, OH 45414

Gerbers Akron Beauty School – Accredited

1915 West Market Street Suite 800
Akron, OH 44313

Handz R Us Beauty Academy – Accredited

15740 Broadway Avenue
Maple Heights, OH 44137

Inner State Beauty School – Accredited

5150 Mayfield Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124

LaBarberia Institute of Hair – Accredited

1633 Golden Gate Plaza
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124

Le Jeane Academe – Accredited

819 McKay Court Suite 103
Boardman, OH 44512

Lorain County Adult Career Center – Accredited

15181 State Route 58 South
Oberlin, OH 44074

Love My Hair School of Cosmetology – Accredited

2261 Warrensville Center Road
University Heights, OH 44118

Mason Anthony School of Cosmetology – Accredited

6363 Presidential Gateway
Columbus, OH 43231

Moler Beauty Academy - Cincinnati – Accredited

6142 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45213

Moler Beauty Academy - Fairfield – Accredited

5951 South Boymel Drive
Fairfield, OH 45014

National Beauty College – Accredited

4642 Cleveland Avenue Northwest
Canton, OH 44709

New Directions Beauty Institute – Accredited

4390 Karl Road
Columbus, OH 43224

Ohio State School of Cosmetology - Columbus – Accredited

5050 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43214

Paramount Beauty Academy – Accredited

1745 11th Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662

Paul Mitchell The School Cleveland – Accredited

10735 Ravenna Road
Twinsburg, OH 44087

Perfection Beauty College – Accredited

7809 Waynetowne Boulevard
Huber Heights, OH 45424

Portage Lakes Career Center – Accredited

4401 Shriver Road
Uniontown, OH 44685

Preston’s Beauty Academy – Accredited

90 Acme Street
Marietta, OH 45750

Renew Image Advanced Esthetics & Training Center

7182 Liberty Centre Drive Suite O
Liberty Townshp, OH 45069

Summit Salon Academy - Perrysburg – Accredited

116 West South Boundary Street
Perrysburg, OH 43551

The Art of Skin Esthetics Academy – Accredited

2061 Stringtown Road
Grove City, OH 43123

Toledo Academy of Beauty Culture – Accredited

3341 Navarre Avenue
Oregon, OH 43616

Vanguard-Sentinel Career Center – Accredited

793 East Township Road 201
Tiffin, OH 44883
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 Ohio have to offer.

Cost of Esthetician School Across OH

Metro Average Tuition
Charleston / Huntington $14,885
Dayton $14,160
Columbus $13,605
Youngstown $13,397
Cincinnati $13,395
Cleveland / Akron $11,259
Toledo $9,846

Comparing Program Costs in OH

Cosmetology School Costs
Highest range: $15,750 - $24,550
Lowest range: $6,950 - $15,750
Average: $17,181
Esthetics/Skin Care School Costs
Highest range: $11,485 - $16,170
Lowest range: $6,800 - $11,485
Average: $12,039

How to Become a Esthetician in Ohio

Ohio Esthetician Careers At a Glance
  • 600 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 4 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average for estheticians in Ohio is $40,690.
  • There is a predicted 6% job increase between 2018 - 2028 for estheticians.

From body wraps and mud facials to microdermabrasion and facial massage, esthetics is a diverse field that has tons of exciting opportunities for people like you.

With the right training from an Ohio school, you can offer a range of services to clients and build your reputation in the beauty industry.

How to Become an Esthetician in Ohio

To become an esthetician in Ohio, you'll need to meet several requirements set forth by the Ohio Cosmetology and Barber Board. These currently include:

  • Be 16 years of age or older
  • Demonstrate completion of an Ohio public school 10th-grade education or equivalent
  • Complete a board-approved training program lasting at least 600 hours
  • Submit a copy of a current, government-issued form of photo identification
  • Ask your school to forward a certification showing you completed your training
  • Pass both the theory and practical examinations
  • Pay $45 license application fee

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Ohio

$40,690

Average yearly salary for esthetics in Ohio

Estheticians in Ohio earned $40,690 annually ($17.77 per hour) as of 2020. Positions for these skincare specialists are also projected to grow by 6% between 2018-2028.

When considering salaries, remember factors like cost of living, years of experience, and specializations can make a difference.

As of 2021 the highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in Ohio (by median pay) are:

  • Cleveland-Elyria, OH: $38,660
  • Columbus, OH: $37,540
  • Dayton, OH: $36,790
  • Akron, OH: $36,710
  • Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN: $36,360

Information sourced from the O*Net (2021)

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Ohio

600 Education Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

Anyone who plans to call themselves an esthetician in the state of Ohio must first complete an approved education program and pass practical and theory exams.

Individual school curriculums may vary slightly, but in general, you can expect to cover topics like bacteriology, ultraviolet and infrared light therapies, relaxation treatments, cosmetics, hair removal, skin theory, makeup application, and salon operations. A full breakdown of areas covered in the required 600 hours is highlighted below:

  • Anatomy: 30 hours
  • Artificial Lashes & Extensions: 8 hours
  • Chemistry: 30 hours
  • Cosmetology Laws & Rules: 20 hours (including one hour on human trafficking)
  • Infection Control & Principles/Practices: 60 hours
  • Makeup: 67 hours
  • Massage: 60 hours
  • Salon Operations and Communication Skills: 40 hours
  • Skin Care Procedures & Practices: 200 hours
  • Specialized Equipment: 30 hours
  • Study of Skin: 55 hours

This adds up to fewer than 600 hours allowing schools to have some wiggle room in their lesson planning.

Estheticians are currently not allowed to perform procedures affecting living skin cells. These types of procedures include cryosculpting/coolsculpting, microneedling, plasma/fibroblast skin tightening, or remove any skin tags, moles, or angiomas.

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Ohio?

Ohio doesn't allow estheticians, nail technicians, or cosmetologists to qualify for licensure based on apprenticeships.

Ohio Esthetician Licensing Requirements

To qualify for an esthetician license, you must pass a practical examination and a theory examination. Upon reaching the testing site, plan to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, military ID, U.S. passport, etc.). You must also follow all the requirements set forth by the testing site.

Other materials you need to bring for the practical exam include a mannequin head and hand alongside general supplies such as towels, gloves, wax removal products, and tweezers, among others.

The examination focuses on the following areas:

  • Set Up and Client Protection: 15 minutes
  • Cleansing/Steaming: 5 minutes for cleansing; steaming time determined by the examiner
  • Extractions: Untimed
  • Hair Removal: Untimed
  • Mask/Massage: 5 minutes for the mask; massage time determined by the examiner

The theory exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and lasts 90 minutes total. Topics covered on the test, including the percentage of the test they take up, are:

  • Infection Control: 45%
  • Skin Care & Services: 20%
  • Anatomy & Physiology: 15%
  • Product Knowledge & Chemistry: 10%
  • Implements, Tools & Equipment: 10%

You must score at least 75% on each exam to qualify for a license. In 2019, the board discontinued exams written in Spanish and Vietnamese and now only provides exams in English.

If needed, you can request testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act by submitting an application to the board in advance of your testing date.

When it comes time to set up your licensure exams, you must create an eLicense account through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. Required materials to qualify for the exam include a current copy of a government-approved photo ID and proof that you completed an approved 600-credit program. Each exam costs $31.50, and your license costs $45.

If you need to reschedule your examinations for any reason, you must fill out an examination reschedule application via your eLicense account. Failing to do so results in a "no show" fee of $45 per test.

Ohio Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

Ohio provides the possibility of esthetician licensure by reciprocity, meaning you could become a cosmetologist without undergoing additional training or taking Ohio's exams.

Your current state must have a reciprocity agreement with Ohio and provide training equivalent to or exceeding Ohio's requirements. Additionally, your license must be at least one year old.

To begin the process, ask your current state board to send a copy of your license to the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. The board will not accept it if you provide a copy. Other materials to supply include:

  • Copy of a current, government-issued photo identification
  • Evidence of a 12th grade Ohio public school education or equivalent
  • Certification of licensure provided by your state board
  • Copy of your current license
  • License by reciprocity fee of $73.50

The state offers special considerations for both active-duty military members and their spouses. If you can supply evidence of board certification from your current state, a current esthetician license, your marriage license, and a military order showing that you or your spouse are required to move to Ohio for a new assignment, you can apply for a cosmetologist, nail technician, barber, natural hairstylist, massage therapist, or esthetician instructor.

You could also complete an advanced esthetician qualification via a 150-hour curriculum. The esthetician instructor curriculum consists of 300 hours.

If you aspire to work as a nurse esthetician and provide advanced treatments (including Botox), you'll need to earn a nursing degree. You could also become a medical esthetician, which doesn't require additional licensure, but the treatments you can perform are more limited than nurse estheticians'.

Esthetician License Renewal in Ohio

2 Years

License renewal period

4 Hours

Continuing education required

Licensed estheticians must renew their Ohio license every two years. To qualify for renewal, which costs $30, you must complete at least four continuing education credits.

Continuing education courses must consist of:

  • 1 hour on board laws and rules
  • 3 hours on safety and infection control

If you're at least 65 years old or have held an esthetician license for 30 or more years, you can skip the continuing education requirements when renewing your license.

Contact the Ohio State Board of Esthetics

Ohio State Board of Cosmetology

Here are some additional resources for estheticians in Ohio:

Ohio Association of Beauticians
As one of the oldest membership associations in the state, the OAB has offered members access to local chapters, continuing education, and networking opportunities since 1934.

Ohio Barber and Beauty Alliance
Joining OBBA allows you to take advantage of free continuing education programming, business and marketing advice tailored to the beauty industry, and legislative advocacy efforts.

Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Esthetics/Skin Care
Ohio

How to Become a Esthetician in Your State

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