Esthetician Schools in North Dakota

The number of estheticians in North Dakota is growing faster than the national average, so now may be the perfect time to start looking at skincare schools in the state. Browse our directory of esthetician schools in North Dakota, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Esthetician in North Dakota

To become a North Dakota esthetician, you must meet specific criteria and pay fees, complete an esthetician program, and pass three tests.

Specifically, you need to:

• Complete 600 hours of training at a North Dakota esthetician school
• Passing a practical exam, a theory exam, and a test on North Dakota's rules and regulations, as well as paying the $25 practical exam fee
• Submit an application and pay the $25 licensure fee

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in North Dakota

North Dakota esthetician programs contain at least 600 hours of training on skincare, cleansing, sanitation, and hair removal services.

The content of each program varies, but all schools are required to include the following topics:

• Cleaning, disinfecting, and safety: 75 hours
• Body treatment, facials, hair removal, and makeup: 340 hours
• Study of theory, law, and cleaning and disinfecting: 75 hours
• Related subjects: 60 hours
• Unassigned: 50 hours

For a North Dakota esthetician school to remain licensed, it has to meet very high standards. For instance, it has to maintain adequate cleanliness, sufficient floor space for reception and teaching, and the required esthetician equipment for instruction. In addition, schools must renew their licenses every year before December 31st by applying and paying a $205 renewal fee.

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in North Dakota?

No, you can't get your esthetician license in North Dakota through an apprenticeship.

North Dakota Esthetician Licensing Requirements

You must finish an esthetician program, pass tests, and pay fees to get your North Dakota esthetician license.

You must also prepare for theoretical, practical, and North Dakota laws and rules exams. The state law test lasts 60 minutes and costs $60. The theory exam lasts 90 minutes and costs $70. Both tests are offered in Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, and English.

Testing is administered through testing proctor PSI. You should sign up for your exams online through PSI's website by completing a registration form.

Candidates needing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations should fill out a special arrangement request form and fax it to PSI at (702) 932-2666. Along with the form, you must submit documentation from the medical professional who diagnosed you. The documentation must be on the medical professional's letterhead stationery and include:

• Description of the disability and its testing limitations
• Recommended accommodations
• Signature and name, title, and telephone number of the medical professional

On test day, you should bring two valid, signature-bearing IDs.

The written test contains 100 scored items and covers:

Scientific concepts: 55%

• Chemistry
• Hair function and composition
• Histology and physiology
• Infection control
• Microbiology
• Physiology and anatomy
• Safety procedures and guidelines
• Skin disorders and diseases

Skincare and services: 45%

• Cleansing
• Client consultation and documentation
• Client protection
• Electrical equipment in skincare
• Ending facial service session
• Exfoliation
• Extraction
• Makeup
• Mask uses and application
• Massage
• Medical risks for skin services
• Skin analysis
• Steaming
• Treatment protocols
• Other services

You must earn at least 75% to pass.

To sign up for the practical exam, you need to submit an application to the state's cosmetology board. It costs $50 to take and covers:

• Work area prep for first client: 10 minutes
• Client prep and basic facial: 25 minutes
• Work area prep and for the second client: 10 minutes
• Client prep and eyebrow shaping with simulated soft wax and tweezing: 5-minute set-up, untimed procedure
• Makeup: 20 minutes
• Blood exposure procedure: 10 minutes
• Particle microdermabrasion on the forehead: 10 minutes
• Eyelash Enhancement: 10 minutes
• Lip waxing with hard wax: 10 minutes

During the practical exam, you must label all supplies in English. Your score is on a pass/fail basis, and your results arrive via mail.

North Dakota Esthetician License Reciprocity

Licensed estheticians trained outside North Dakota can apply for license transfers via reciprocity.

To do so, you must:

• Submit a reciprocity application and pay the $25 license fee and $105 reciprocity fee
• Provide proof of your current esthetician license in good standing
• Demonstrate that your previous state's licensure requirements are equal to those in North Dakota or that you've worked as an esthetician for at least three of the past five years
• Pass the state's law and rules exam

Esthetician Specialties in North Dakota

Medical esthetics is a common specialty in North Dakota.

Medical estheticians receive additional training to perform advanced skincare services, such as chemical peels and laser treatments. They often work in clinical settings with clients who need more serious care, including post-burn treatments or plastic surgery recovery. Due to the specialized services and additional training required, medical estheticians in North Dakota may earn a higher salary than standard estheticians. In North Dakota, medical estheticians earn an average salary of $49,526.

Estheticians can also become master estheticians. Master estheticians in North Dakota can operate and supervise salons exclusively offering skincare services. You can become a master esthetician after completing 1,000 hours of licensed esthetics work, submitting an application, and paying the $25 license fee.

License Renewal

You need to renew your North Dakota esthetician license before December 31st of every year. You must submit a renewal application and a $20 fee to the state board. Continuing education isn't required to renew your esthetician license but is recommended to help you stay current with the industry.

If your license has been expired for one year or less, you need to pay a $50 late fee in addition to the renewal fee. If your license has been expired for between one and five years, you must pay a $150 late fee along with passing North Dakota's law exam. If five or more years have passed, you must pass all exams to have your license reinstated.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in North Dakota

The average salary for estheticians in North Dakota is $46,910 annually or $22.55 per hour. The number of esthetician jobs in North Dakota is expected to grow by 20% between 2020 and 2030.

In North Dakota, esthetician salaries range from $33,750 to $70,410. Pay varies depending on location, specialties offered, and length of work experience.

Contact the North Dakota State Board of Esthetics

Resources for Estheticians in North Dakota

National Coalition of Estheticians Association North Dakota branch
An organization offering continuing education activities and helping estheticians become certified

North Dakota Cosmetologists United
A Facebook group for licensed beauty professionals in the state to network and educate each other