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
2445 West State Street
Alliance, OH 44601
615 Boardman-Canfield Road
Boardman, OH 44512
3307 Center Road
Brunswick, OH 44212
815 Youngstown Warren Road
Niles, OH 44446
24761 Lorain Road North
Olmsted, OH 44070
34999 Euclid Avenue
Willoughby, OH 44094
Aveda Fredric’s Institute Cincinnati – Accredited
West Chester, OH 45069
Brown Aveda Institute Strongsville – Accredited
Strongsville, OH 44136
Cincinnati Institute of Esthetics and Nails – Accredited
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited
Centerville, OH 45459
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology Vandalia Campus – Accredited
Dayton, OH 45414
Love My Hair School of Cosmetology – Accredited
University Heights, OH 44118
Renew Image Advanced Esthetics & Training Center
Liberty Townshp, OH 45069
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 Ohio have to offer.
How to Become a Esthetician in Ohio
- 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:
Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Ohio
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:
Information sourced from the O*Net (2021)
What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Ohio
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:
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:
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:
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:
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
License renewal period
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:
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
- 1929 Gateway Circle Grove City, OH 43123
- Website: Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
- Email: sue.gatwood@cos.state.oh.us
- Call: 614-466-3834
- Fax: 614-644-6880
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.