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Minnesota Esthetician — Requirements & Free Practice

US-MN · License preparation

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Advanced Practice Esthetician Operator License

Advanced practice esthetics license; supersedes an esthetician operator license.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Initial advanced practice issuance — active esthetician or cosmetologist

All of the following:

  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit the completed application and statutory fees.
Examinations
Original passing AP general-theory and written-practical results must be no more than one year old.
Prior license
Hold an active Minnesota esthetician or cosmetologist license.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Supersession
The AP esthetician license supersedes the esthetician operator license.
Training
Complete a board-approved 500-hour AP esthetics curriculum and submit original notarized course completion certificate containing AP Practical Skills Test results.
Training currency
If AP training is more than five years old, submit a skills-course certificate no more than one year old.
Initial advanced practice issuance — cosmetology and AP training without an active license

All of the following:

  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit completed application and required fees.
Examination results
Original required written examination results must be no more than one year old.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Other profession exams
The cosmetologist general theory, written practical, and Minnesota law tests are conditions of the cosmetology prerequisite; they are examinations of another profession and are not esthetician leaves.
Prior license
Does not hold an active Minnesota esthetician or cosmetologist license.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Training
Complete Minnesota cosmetology training and the board-approved 500-hour AP training, including each required practical skills test and original notarized course completion certificate.
Training currency
For training more than five years old, submit the applicable skills-course certificate no more than one year old.
Initial advanced practice issuance — esthetics and AP training without an active license

All of the following:

  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit completed application and required fees.
Examination results
Original required written examination results must be no more than one year old.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Other profession exams
Pass the esthetician general theory, written practical, and Minnesota laws-and-rules tests, together with both AP written tests.
Prior license
Does not hold an active Minnesota esthetician or cosmetologist license.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Training
Complete Minnesota esthetics training and the board-approved 500-hour AP training, including each required practical skills test and original notarized course completion certificate.
Training currency
For training more than five years old, submit the applicable skills-course certificate no more than one year old.
Disciplinary reinstatement — three years or more

All of the following:

Application
Reapply on Board forms and pay new-applicant fees.
Board order
Meet the specific reinstatement order and petition conditions; Board discretion and any unidentified additional assessment are applicant conditions. Complete at least one-half the suspension period.
Elapsed period
Apply renewal rules treating the license as expired from the revocation/suspension date; elapsed period three years or more.
Other agency clearance
For child support, tax or another statutory suspension, the initiating agency must clear the license and notify the Board; if the license cycle expired, meet applicable renewal requirements.
Renewal requirements
Meet the recorded examination-based expiration-restoration requirements for this license type.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Disciplinary reinstatement — under three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reapply on Board forms and pay new-applicant fees.
Board order
Meet the specific reinstatement order and petition conditions; Board discretion and any unidentified additional assessment are applicant conditions. Complete at least one-half the suspension period.
Elapsed period
Apply renewal rules treating the license as expired from the revocation/suspension date; elapsed period under three years.
Other agency clearance
For child support, tax or another statutory suspension, the initiating agency must clear the license and notify the Board; if the license cycle expired, meet applicable renewal requirements.
Renewal requirements
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

AP/master esthetician transfer — another United States state

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Completed application and required fees; current 2026 statutory nonresident provisions expressly include AP estheticians.
Basic exam alternative
An accepted cosmetology general-theory or practical result is a condition and may satisfy the corresponding basic prerequisite; it is an examination of another profession. Accepted prior esthetician results satisfy the basic theory/practical requirement without retaking.
Current examinations
Both AP theory and AP written practical results, and Minnesota laws-and-rules results, must be no more than one year old.
Evaluation
Apply to a Board-licensed school as a transfer student under Minn. R. 2110.0705; evaluate esthetician and AP training, records and work experience, rectify deficiencies, and provide both original completion certificates.
Foreign records
Records from another country, including records in English, must be evaluated by a Board-approved agency at applicant expense; official translations are required by statute.
License certification
If previously licensed elsewhere, each state certification must be no more than 90 days old and sent directly to the Board, or provide most recent license and supplemental verification where certifications are not issued.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Training or license
Advanced-practice or master-esthetician training or licensure from another state.
Restoration — license expired three years or more

All of the following:

Application
Submit renewal application and initial-license/instructor application fees for a new license cycle.
Exam results
Original applicable passing results must be no more than one year old: instructor theory/practical/instructor law tests for instructors; manager law test and corresponding written practical for managers; operator laws-and-rules and corresponding written practical for operators.
Expiration
License expired three years or more.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Underlying license
An instructor must hold an active operator or salon-manager license in the field.
Renewal — license expired less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Meet the applicable regular renewal requirements and pay renewal and late fees. A new license cycle is issued.
Continuing education
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.
Expiration
License expired less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Advanced practice transfer — another country

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Completed application and required fees; current 2026 statutory nonresident provisions expressly include AP estheticians.
Basic exam alternative
An accepted cosmetology general-theory or practical result is a condition and may satisfy the corresponding basic prerequisite; it is an examination of another profession. Accepted prior esthetician results satisfy the basic theory/practical requirement without retaking.
Current examinations
Both AP theory and AP written practical results, and Minnesota laws-and-rules results, must be no more than one year old.
Evaluation
Apply to a Board-licensed school as a transfer student under Minn. R. 2110.0705; evaluate esthetician and AP training, records and work experience, rectify deficiencies, and provide both original completion certificates.
Foreign records
Records from another country, including records in English, must be evaluated by a Board-approved agency at applicant expense; official translations are required by statute.
License certification
If previously licensed elsewhere, each state certification must be no more than 90 days old and sent directly to the Board, or provide most recent license and supplemental verification where certifications are not issued.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Training or license
Advanced-practice or master-esthetician training or licensure from another country.
Regular license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal and required fees; no licensing examination is listed in the exhaustive renewal provisions.
Continuing education
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.
Documentation
Retain CE proof for four years and provide requested audit documentation within 30 days.
License cycle
Renew the three-year license by the last day of the birth month in the year due.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation from retired status — three years or more

All of the following:

Fees
No new renewal fee is required if the retired license itself has not expired; otherwise pay applicable renewal/restoration fees.
Original expiration
The original practitioner license expiration controls whether the less-than-three-year or three-year-or-more renewal provisions apply.
Previous status
Hold retired status for the corresponding practitioner license; obtain an active license by renewing the original license as if retired status had never been issued.
Renewal requirements
Submit the currently offered tests applicable to the three-year-or-more expiration route, with original results no more than one year old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Reactivation from retired status — under three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fees
No new renewal fee is required if the retired license itself has not expired; otherwise pay applicable renewal/restoration fees.
Original expiration
The original practitioner license expiration controls whether the less-than-three-year or three-year-or-more renewal provisions apply.
Previous status
Hold retired status for the corresponding practitioner license; obtain an active license by renewing the original license as if retired status had never been issued.
Renewal requirements
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Advanced Practice Esthetician Salon Manager License

Manager license in the esthetics licensure field; subject to the corresponding practitioner qualifications.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Salon manager advancement — active corresponding operator
Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
Application
Submit completed application and statutory fees.
Prior license
Hold an active Minnesota advanced esthetician operator license.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Score currency
Original passing salon-manager test results must be no more than one year old.
Cross field manager advancement — existing manager and corresponding operator
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed application and statutory fees.
Exam waiver
Minn. R. 2105.0145 subp. 2(D) expressly waives item A testing requirements.
Prior licenses
Hold an active Minnesota salon-manager license in one field and an active operator license in this esthetics field.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Disciplinary reinstatement — three years or more

All of the following:

  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
Application
Reapply on Board forms and pay new-applicant fees.
Board order
Meet the specific reinstatement order and petition conditions; Board discretion and any unidentified additional assessment are applicant conditions. Complete at least one-half the suspension period.
Elapsed period
Apply renewal rules treating the license as expired from the revocation/suspension date; elapsed period three years or more.
Other agency clearance
For child support, tax or another statutory suspension, the initiating agency must clear the license and notify the Board; if the license cycle expired, meet applicable renewal requirements.
Renewal requirements
Meet the recorded examination-based expiration-restoration requirements for this license type.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Disciplinary reinstatement — under three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reapply on Board forms and pay new-applicant fees.
Board order
Meet the specific reinstatement order and petition conditions; Board discretion and any unidentified additional assessment are applicant conditions. Complete at least one-half the suspension period.
Elapsed period
Apply renewal rules treating the license as expired from the revocation/suspension date; elapsed period under three years.
Other agency clearance
For child support, tax or another statutory suspension, the initiating agency must clear the license and notify the Board; if the license cycle expired, meet applicable renewal requirements.
Renewal requirements
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration — license expired three years or more

All of the following:

  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
Application
Submit renewal application and initial-license/instructor application fees for a new license cycle.
Exam results
Original applicable passing results must be no more than one year old: instructor theory/practical/instructor law tests for instructors; manager law test and corresponding written practical for managers; operator laws-and-rules and corresponding written practical for operators.
Expiration
License expired three years or more.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Underlying license
An instructor must hold an active operator or salon-manager license in the field.
Renewal — license expired less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Meet the applicable regular renewal requirements and pay renewal and late fees. A new license cycle is issued.
Continuing education
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.
Expiration
License expired less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Salon manager in a new field — existing manager license

All of the following:

  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit the new-field application and required fees.
Law waiver
An active Minnesota practitioner need not retake the operator laws-and-rules test under subp. 5(C).
Manager waiver
Minn. R. 2105.0145 subp. 2(C) permits manager issuance in the new field without first obtaining or paying for an operator license; no repeated manager test is specified.
Practitioner requirements
Meet the applicable new-field operator requirements, training and examination result limits. For AP licensure an active Minnesota esthetician or cosmetologist license is required here; combined training and transfers follow their recorded operator conditions.
Prior license
Hold an active Minnesota salon-manager license in another field.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Regular license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal and required fees; no licensing examination is listed in the exhaustive renewal provisions.
Continuing education
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.
Documentation
Retain CE proof for four years and provide requested audit documentation within 30 days.
License cycle
Renew the three-year license by the last day of the birth month in the year due.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation from retired status — three years or more

All of the following:

  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
Fees
No new renewal fee is required if the retired license itself has not expired; otherwise pay applicable renewal/restoration fees.
Original expiration
The original practitioner license expiration controls whether the less-than-three-year or three-year-or-more renewal provisions apply.
Previous status
Hold retired status for the corresponding practitioner license; obtain an active license by renewing the original license as if retired status had never been issued.
Renewal requirements
Submit the currently offered tests applicable to the three-year-or-more expiration route, with original results no more than one year old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Reactivation from retired status — under three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fees
No new renewal fee is required if the retired license itself has not expired; otherwise pay applicable renewal/restoration fees.
Original expiration
The original practitioner license expiration controls whether the less-than-three-year or three-year-or-more renewal provisions apply.
Previous status
Hold retired status for the corresponding practitioner license; obtain an active license by renewing the original license as if retired status had never been issued.
Renewal requirements
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Simultaneous manager issuance — cosmetology and AP training

All of the following:

  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
Application
Submit both applications and manager fees; if training is more than five years old, provide the corresponding skills-course certificates.
Examinations
Both AP written exams and the salon-manager test require original passing results no more than one year old.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Other profession exams
Cosmetologist general theory, written practical, laws-and-rules and practical skills examinations are conditions of the cosmetology prerequisite, not esthetician leaves.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Training
Complete cosmetology and 500-hour AP training, including required certificates and practical skills assessments.
Simultaneous manager issuance — combined esthetician and AP training

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
Application
Submit the operator and salon-manager applications with the manager fees; no separate operator fee.
Examinations
Submit the five practitioner written examination results plus salon-manager examination results, all no more than one year old.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Training
Complete both 600-hour esthetics and 500-hour AP programs and practical skills assessments; provide both notarized completion certificates.
Training currency
If training is more than five years old, provide corresponding skills-course completion certificates no more than one year old.
Simultaneous operator and salon manager application

All of the following:

  • Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test (assessment without a question bank)
  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
Ap prerequisite
For AP licensure this route holds an active Minnesota esthetician or cosmetologist license; the combined-training applicant routes are recorded separately.
Fees
Pay the salon-manager application fees; no separate operator-license fee is required for simultaneous issuance.
Manager test
Submit original salon-manager passing test results no more than one year old.
Practitioner qualifications
Satisfy the corresponding operator-license initial requirements, training certificates, minimum-age requirements and one-year score limits; submit both completed applications.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.

Esthetician Operator License

Standard Minnesota license for cosmetic skin care; includes the licensed esthetics scope in Minn. R. 2105.0105 subp. 2.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Additional esthetics field — active Minnesota practitioner in another field

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit a completed application and the fees required by Minn. Stat. 155A.25.
Examination results
Original passing results for the three board-approved written examinations must be no more than one year old.
Law test waiver
Minn. R. 2105.0145 subp. 5(C) does not require retaking the Minnesota laws and rules test; all other applicable esthetician requirements remain.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Prior license
Hold an active Minnesota practitioner license in another field.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Training
Complete the applicable esthetics training; any credit toward another license follows Minn. R. 2110.0550.
Training currency
If initial training is more than five years old, also submit a board-approved skills-course completion certificate no more than one year old; passing the board skills assessment closes that course.
Additional esthetician license — active Minnesota cosmetologist
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Minn. R. 2105.0145 subp. 5(A) permits a separate esthetician license by application and payment of required fees; it requires no separate esthetician examination.
Prior license
An active Minnesota cosmetologist license is required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Disciplinary reinstatement — three years or more

All of the following:

Application
Reapply on Board forms and pay new-applicant fees.
Board order
Meet the specific reinstatement order and petition conditions; Board discretion and any unidentified additional assessment are applicant conditions. Complete at least one-half the suspension period.
Elapsed period
Apply renewal rules treating the license as expired from the revocation/suspension date; elapsed period three years or more.
Other agency clearance
For child support, tax or another statutory suspension, the initiating agency must clear the license and notify the Board; if the license cycle expired, meet applicable renewal requirements.
Renewal requirements
Meet the recorded examination-based expiration-restoration requirements for this license type.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Disciplinary reinstatement — under three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reapply on Board forms and pay new-applicant fees.
Board order
Meet the specific reinstatement order and petition conditions; Board discretion and any unidentified additional assessment are applicant conditions. Complete at least one-half the suspension period.
Elapsed period
Apply renewal rules treating the license as expired from the revocation/suspension date; elapsed period under three years.
Other agency clearance
For child support, tax or another statutory suspension, the initiating agency must clear the license and notify the Board; if the license cycle expired, meet applicable renewal requirements.
Renewal requirements
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial issuance — deficient licensed domestic training

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit a completed application and the fees required by Minn. Stat. 155A.25.
Examination results
Original passing results for the three board-approved written examinations must be no more than one year old.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Skills assessment
The Minnesota Practical Skills Test is required for a Minnesota completion certificate or any required skills course; an accepted equivalent out-of-state course certificate may satisfy the training condition without a new Minnesota skills test.
Training
Enroll as a transfer student at a Minnesota-licensed school under Minn. R. 2110.0705, complete identified deficiencies and obtain the original notarized 600-hour course completion certificate.
Training currency
If initial training is more than five years old, also submit a board-approved skills-course completion certificate no more than one year old; passing the board skills assessment closes that course.
Transfer — domestic license with required training

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Complete the application and pay the required statutory fees.
Certification
Certification no more than 90 days old must be sent directly from each state of licensure and record license status, history, discipline, training, and examination history; where certification is unavailable, submit the most recent license and supplemental verification form.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Prior passes
An accepted license certification showing a passed general theory or practical test satisfies the corresponding requirement without retaking it. Such prior results are applicant evidence; currently offered Minnesota tests remain the available examination leaves.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Skills condition
Conditional skills course if the out-of-state license is inactive under the rule; current statute's active-license condition controls eligibility.
State test
Submit Minnesota laws-and-rules passing results no more than one year old. The current domestic application excuses retaking for holders of an active Minnesota operator or salon-manager license.
Statutory eligibility
Minn. Stat. 155A.27 subd. 10 requires an active outside license; the implementing rule and application discuss inactive licenses and additional training. These implementing statements do not replace the statute's active-license and equivalent-training or three-year conditions.
Training or experience
At least 600 hours of esthetics training and licensure in another state; the statute requires an active outside license.
Transfer — domestic license with deficient hours and three years of active licensure

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Complete the application and pay the required statutory fees.
Certification
Certification no more than 90 days old must be sent directly from each state of licensure and record license status, history, discipline, training, and examination history; where certification is unavailable, submit the most recent license and supplemental verification form.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Prior passes
An accepted license certification showing a passed general theory or practical test satisfies the corresponding requirement without retaking it. Such prior results are applicant evidence; currently offered Minnesota tests remain the available examination leaves.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Skills condition
Conditional skills course if inactive under the implementing rule; statutory active-license condition controls.
State test
Submit Minnesota laws-and-rules passing results no more than one year old. The current domestic application excuses retaking for holders of an active Minnesota operator or salon-manager license.
Statutory eligibility
Minn. Stat. 155A.27 subd. 10 requires an active outside license; the implementing rule and application discuss inactive licenses and additional training. These implementing statements do not replace the statute's active-license and equivalent-training or three-year conditions.
Training or experience
Less than 600 training hours and at least three years of an active license in another state.
Transfer — deficient domestic training completed in Minnesota

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Complete the application and pay the required statutory fees.
Certification
Certification no more than 90 days old must be sent directly from each state of licensure and record license status, history, discipline, training, and examination history; where certification is unavailable, submit the most recent license and supplemental verification form.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Prior passes
An accepted license certification showing a passed general theory or practical test satisfies the corresponding requirement without retaking it. Such prior results are applicant evidence; currently offered Minnesota tests remain the available examination leaves.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Skills condition
Practical Skills Test must be completed with the additional Minnesota training.
State test
Submit Minnesota laws-and-rules passing results no more than one year old. The current domestic application excuses retaking for holders of an active Minnesota operator or salon-manager license.
Statutory eligibility
Minn. Stat. 155A.27 subd. 10 requires an active outside license; the implementing rule and application discuss inactive licenses and additional training. These implementing statements do not replace the statute's active-license and equivalent-training or three-year conditions.
Training or experience
Complete deficient training at a Minnesota-licensed school as a transfer student and submit an original notarized course completion certificate no more than one year old.
Initial issuance — equivalent licensed domestic training

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit a completed application and the fees required by Minn. Stat. 155A.25.
Examination results
Original passing results for the three board-approved written examinations must be no more than one year old.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Skills assessment
The Minnesota Practical Skills Test is required for a Minnesota completion certificate or any required skills course; an accepted equivalent out-of-state course certificate may satisfy the training condition without a new Minnesota skills test.
Training
Original notarized Board form establishing equivalent curriculum and at least 600 hours from another state's licensed training program; training must meet Minn. R. 2105.0145 subp. 1(C)(2)(a).
Training currency
If initial training is more than five years old, also submit a board-approved skills-course completion certificate no more than one year old; passing the board skills assessment closes that course.
Restoration — license expired three years or more

All of the following:

Application
Submit renewal application and initial-license/instructor application fees for a new license cycle.
Exam results
Original applicable passing results must be no more than one year old: instructor theory/practical/instructor law tests for instructors; manager law test and corresponding written practical for managers; operator laws-and-rules and corresponding written practical for operators.
Expiration
License expired three years or more.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Underlying license
An instructor must hold an active operator or salon-manager license in the field.
Renewal — license expired less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Meet the applicable regular renewal requirements and pay renewal and late fees. A new license cycle is issued.
Continuing education
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.
Expiration
License expired less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Foreign licensed applicant — equivalent school training

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit completed application and statutory fees.
Examinations
Submit original passing results no more than one year old for the three written tests.
Foreign records
All foreign records, including English-language records, must be evaluated by a Board-approved credentialing agency at the applicant's expense. Provide official English-language translations required by statute.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Prior licensure
No license in another United States state; hold an active license in the foreign country.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
School evaluation
Apply to a Board-licensed school as a transfer student for evaluation under Minn. R. 2110.0705, rectify deficiencies, pass the Practical Skills Test, and obtain an original foreign-transfer course completion certificate.
Statutory training or experience
Foreign license route requires school hours equal to or greater than Minnesota's 600-hour requirement.
Foreign licensed applicant — deficient school hours and three years active license

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit completed application and statutory fees.
Examinations
Submit original passing results no more than one year old for the three written tests.
Foreign records
All foreign records, including English-language records, must be evaluated by a Board-approved credentialing agency at the applicant's expense. Provide official English-language translations required by statute.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Prior licensure
No license in another United States state; hold an active license in the foreign country.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
School evaluation
Apply to a Board-licensed school as a transfer student for evaluation under Minn. R. 2110.0705, rectify deficiencies, pass the Practical Skills Test, and obtain an original foreign-transfer course completion certificate.
Statutory training or experience
At least three years of current active foreign licensure if school hours are deficient.
Foreign training — no United States license

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit completed application and statutory fees.
Examinations
Submit original passing results no more than one year old for the three written tests.
Foreign records
All foreign records, including English-language records, must be evaluated by a Board-approved credentialing agency at the applicant's expense. Provide official English-language translations required by statute.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Prior licensure
No license in another United States state; foreign training and experience must be established.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
School evaluation
Apply to a Board-licensed school as a transfer student for evaluation under Minn. R. 2110.0705, rectify deficiencies, pass the Practical Skills Test, and obtain an original foreign-transfer course completion certificate.
Statutory training or experience
Complete the equivalent Minnesota esthetics curriculum and training deficiencies determined by school evaluation.
Initial issuance — Minnesota school graduate

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit a completed application and the fees required by Minn. Stat. 155A.25.
Examination results
Original passing results for the three board-approved written examinations must be no more than one year old.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Skills assessment
The Minnesota Practical Skills Test is required for a Minnesota completion certificate or any required skills course; an accepted equivalent out-of-state course certificate may satisfy the training condition without a new Minnesota skills test.
Training
Original notarized course completion certificate for 600 hours of esthetician training from a Minnesota-licensed school, including the required practical skills test.
Training currency
If initial training is more than five years old, also submit a board-approved skills-course completion certificate no more than one year old; passing the board skills assessment closes that course.
Initial issuance — partial or unlicensed domestic training

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit a completed application and the fees required by Minn. Stat. 155A.25.
Examination results
Original passing results for the three board-approved written examinations must be no more than one year old.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Skills assessment
The Minnesota Practical Skills Test is required for a Minnesota completion certificate or any required skills course; an accepted equivalent out-of-state course certificate may satisfy the training condition without a new Minnesota skills test.
Training
Enroll as a transfer student at a Minnesota-licensed school, complete its requirements and obtain an original notarized 600-hour course completion certificate.
Training currency
If initial training is more than five years old, also submit a board-approved skills-course completion certificate no more than one year old; passing the board skills assessment closes that course.
Regular license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal and required fees; no licensing examination is listed in the exhaustive renewal provisions.
Continuing education
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.
Documentation
Retain CE proof for four years and provide requested audit documentation within 30 days.
License cycle
Renew the three-year license by the last day of the birth month in the year due.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation from retired status — three years or more

All of the following:

Fees
No new renewal fee is required if the retired license itself has not expired; otherwise pay applicable renewal/restoration fees.
Original expiration
The original practitioner license expiration controls whether the less-than-three-year or three-year-or-more renewal provisions apply.
Previous status
Hold retired status for the corresponding practitioner license; obtain an active license by renewing the original license as if retired status had never been issued.
Renewal requirements
Submit the currently offered tests applicable to the three-year-or-more expiration route, with original results no more than one year old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Reactivation from retired status — under three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fees
No new renewal fee is required if the retired license itself has not expired; otherwise pay applicable renewal/restoration fees.
Original expiration
The original practitioner license expiration controls whether the less-than-three-year or three-year-or-more renewal provisions apply.
Previous status
Hold retired status for the corresponding practitioner license; obtain an active license by renewing the original license as if retired status had never been issued.
Renewal requirements
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Esthetician Salon Manager License

Manager license in the esthetics licensure field; subject to the corresponding practitioner qualifications.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Salon manager advancement — active corresponding operator
Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
Application
Submit completed application and statutory fees.
Prior license
Hold an active Minnesota esthetician operator license.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Score currency
Original passing salon-manager test results must be no more than one year old.
Cross field manager advancement — existing manager and corresponding operator
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed application and statutory fees.
Exam waiver
Minn. R. 2105.0145 subp. 2(D) expressly waives item A testing requirements.
Prior licenses
Hold an active Minnesota salon-manager license in one field and an active operator license in this esthetics field.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Disciplinary reinstatement — three years or more

All of the following:

  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
Application
Reapply on Board forms and pay new-applicant fees.
Board order
Meet the specific reinstatement order and petition conditions; Board discretion and any unidentified additional assessment are applicant conditions. Complete at least one-half the suspension period.
Elapsed period
Apply renewal rules treating the license as expired from the revocation/suspension date; elapsed period three years or more.
Other agency clearance
For child support, tax or another statutory suspension, the initiating agency must clear the license and notify the Board; if the license cycle expired, meet applicable renewal requirements.
Renewal requirements
Meet the recorded examination-based expiration-restoration requirements for this license type.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Disciplinary reinstatement — under three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reapply on Board forms and pay new-applicant fees.
Board order
Meet the specific reinstatement order and petition conditions; Board discretion and any unidentified additional assessment are applicant conditions. Complete at least one-half the suspension period.
Elapsed period
Apply renewal rules treating the license as expired from the revocation/suspension date; elapsed period under three years.
Other agency clearance
For child support, tax or another statutory suspension, the initiating agency must clear the license and notify the Board; if the license cycle expired, meet applicable renewal requirements.
Renewal requirements
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration — license expired three years or more

All of the following:

  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
Application
Submit renewal application and initial-license/instructor application fees for a new license cycle.
Exam results
Original applicable passing results must be no more than one year old: instructor theory/practical/instructor law tests for instructors; manager law test and corresponding written practical for managers; operator laws-and-rules and corresponding written practical for operators.
Expiration
License expired three years or more.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Underlying license
An instructor must hold an active operator or salon-manager license in the field.
Renewal — license expired less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Meet the applicable regular renewal requirements and pay renewal and late fees. A new license cycle is issued.
Continuing education
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.
Expiration
License expired less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Salon manager in a new field — existing manager license

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
Application
Submit the new-field application and required fees.
Law waiver
An active Minnesota practitioner need not retake the operator laws-and-rules test under subp. 5(C).
Manager waiver
Minn. R. 2105.0145 subp. 2(C) permits manager issuance in the new field without first obtaining or paying for an operator license; no repeated manager test is specified.
Practitioner requirements
Meet the applicable new-field operator requirements, training and examination result limits. For AP licensure an active Minnesota esthetician or cosmetologist license is required here; combined training and transfers follow their recorded operator conditions.
Prior license
Hold an active Minnesota salon-manager license in another field.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Regular license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal and required fees; no licensing examination is listed in the exhaustive renewal provisions.
Continuing education
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.
Documentation
Retain CE proof for four years and provide requested audit documentation within 30 days.
License cycle
Renew the three-year license by the last day of the birth month in the year due.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation from retired status — three years or more

All of the following:

  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
Fees
No new renewal fee is required if the retired license itself has not expired; otherwise pay applicable renewal/restoration fees.
Original expiration
The original practitioner license expiration controls whether the less-than-three-year or three-year-or-more renewal provisions apply.
Previous status
Hold retired status for the corresponding practitioner license; obtain an active license by renewing the original license as if retired status had never been issued.
Renewal requirements
Submit the currently offered tests applicable to the three-year-or-more expiration route, with original results no more than one year old.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.
Reactivation from retired status — under three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fees
No new renewal fee is required if the retired license itself has not expired; otherwise pay applicable renewal/restoration fees.
Original expiration
The original practitioner license expiration controls whether the less-than-three-year or three-year-or-more renewal provisions apply.
Previous status
Hold retired status for the corresponding practitioner license; obtain an active license by renewing the original license as if retired status had never been issued.
Renewal requirements
Eight Board-approved continuing-education hours within three years: four core hours (one laws/rules, three health/safety/infection control) and four professional-practice hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Simultaneous operator and salon manager application

All of the following:

  • Esthetician General Theory Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Minnesota Esthetician State Examination
  • Esthetician Written Practical Examination (practice unavailable)
  • Practical Skills Test (Esthetician) (assessment without a question bank)
  • Salon Manager (practice unavailable)
Ap prerequisite
Complete at least 600 hours of required esthetics training and the practical skills test.
Fees
Pay the salon-manager application fees; no separate operator-license fee is required for simultaneous issuance.
Manager test
Submit original salon-manager passing test results no more than one year old.
Practitioner qualifications
Satisfy the corresponding operator-license initial requirements, training certificates, minimum-age requirements and one-year score limits; submit both completed applications.
Rule waiver
A written request for waiver of a specific rule requirement may be granted by the Board in cases of hardship or medical necessity (Minn. R. 2105.0820); no automatic examination waiver is asserted.

Advanced Esthetician General Theory Examination

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Closed-book computer-delivered written examination
Exam questions
65 questions (60 scored, 5 experimental)
Time limit
1.5 hours
Passing score
75%
Examination outline
  • Safety and Infection Control for Advanced Practice Services (10%)
    • Safe working conditions and practices
    • Environment
    • Protective coverings (e.g., draping, gloves)
    • Chemical labeling and storage
    • Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
    • Prohibited materials
    • Disposal of hazardous materials
    • Safety agencies (HIPPA)
    • Infection control
    • Infectious diseases and pathogens
    • Sanitation and disinfection
    • Levels of decontamination
    • Cleaners and disinfectants
    • Tools, equipment, and work surfaces
    • Storage of tools and equipment
    • Single and multiuse items
    • Prevention of cross-contamination through use of tools, products, gloves, and handwashing
    • Sterilization
    • Types of sterilization
    • Tools and equipment
    • Standard precautions for exposure incidents
    • First aid kit
    • Blood-spill disinfection and disposal
    • Adverse or allergic reaction
    • Signs, symptoms, and monitoring
    • Correct action
  • Client Consultation (10%)
    • Client consultation
    • Skin analysis
    • Contraindications, recent services, and current product or medicine use
    • Consent and intake forms
    • Factors that affect the skin
    • Patch tests
    • Record keeping
  • Skin Structure and Physiology (10%)
    • Skin structure and anatomy
    • Skin types and classification
    • Skin conditions and disorders
    • Lymphatic system and lymphatic drainage
    • Wound healing
  • Advanced Exfoliation (20%)
    • Methods, processes, and results
    • Dermaplaning
    • Microdermabrasion
    • Chemical or enzyme exfoliation
    • Product chemistry and chemical interaction
    • Risks and contraindications
    • Depth of penetration
    • After care
  • Advanced Skin Care Treatments (20%)
    • Electrical energy treatment methods and processes
    • Galvanic current
    • High frequency
    • Light therapy
    • Microcurrent
    • Radio frequency
    • Ultrasonic
    • Advanced extractions
    • Lancets
    • Product chemistry and chemical interaction
    • Risks and contraindications
    • Depth of penetration
    • After care
  • Skin Needling (15%)
    • Methods, processes, and results
    • Product chemistry and chemical interaction
    • Risks and contraindications
    • Depth of penetration
    • After care
  • Advanced Practice Esthetician Laws and Rules (15%)
    • Services within the scope of practice for an advanced practice esthetician
    • Sterilization equipment requirements
    • Permissible types of sterilization
    • Record keeping requirements
    • Situations requiring gloves
Examination sources

Advanced Practice Esthetics Practical Skills Test

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

Advanced Esthetician Written Practical Examination

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Closed-book computer-delivered written examination
Exam questions
40 questions (35 scored, 5 experimental)
Time limit
1.5 hours
Passing score
75%
Examination outline
  • Safety and Infection Control (10%)
    • Disinfection, sterilization, and infection control procedures
    • First aid and exposure incidents
    • Processes for negative reactions
  • Skin Analysis (20%)
    • Identifying skin types, classifications, and structure
    • Use of skin analysis tools
    • Identifying skin disorders and diseases
    • Determining proper services for skin type and classification
    • Identifying depth of penetration and skin layer impacted
  • Advanced Exfoliation (35%)
    • Methods
    • Dermaplaning
    • Microdermabrasion
    • Chemical or enzyme exfoliation
    • Product combinations and mixtures
    • Monitoring skin reactions
    • After care
  • Advanced Skin Care Treatments (35%)
    • Processes and procedures for:
    • Electrical energy treatments
    • Light therapy
    • Galvanic current
    • Microcurrent
    • High frequency
    • Radio frequency
    • Ultrasonic devices
    • Lymphatic drainage
    • Advanced extractions
    • Skin needling
Examination sources

Esthetician General Theory Examination

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Closed-book computer-delivered written examination
Exam questions
85 questions (75 scored, 10 experimental)
Time limit
1.5 hours
Passing score
75%
Examination outline
  • Safety and Infection Control (35%)
    • Safe working conditions and practices
    • Environment
    • Protective coverings (e.g., draping, gloves)
    • Water temperature
    • Chemical labeling and storage
    • Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
    • Patch test
    • Prohibited materials
    • Safety Agencies
    • Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA)
    • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
    • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    • Infection Control
    • Infectious diseases and pathogens
    • Cleaning and disinfection
    • Cleaners and disinfectants
    • Tools, equipment, and work surfaces
    • Storage of tools and equipments
    • Single and multiuse items
    • Prevention of cross-contamination
    • Standard Precautions for exposure incidents
    • First aid kit
    • Blood-spill disinfection and disposal
    • Adverse or allergic reaction
    • Signs and symptoms
    • Correct action
  • Client Consultation and Professional Conduct (10%)
    • Client consultation
    • Intake form
    • Contraindications
    • Record keeping
    • Professional ethics
    • Personal hygiene
  • Skin Structure and Physiology (14%)
    • Skin structure and anatomy
    • Skin types
    • Skin conditions
    • Skin diseases and disorders
  • Basic Facials (23%)
    • Skin analysis
    • Products and product chemistry
    • Cleansers
    • Exfoliants
    • Steaming
    • Masks
    • Moisturizer and sunscreen
    • Tools, implements, and equipment
    • Massage manipulations
  • Hair Removal (10%)
    • Waxing
    • Application and removal
    • Types of wax
    • Temperature precautions
    • Tweezing
  • Makeup (8%)
    • Application and removal
    • Color Theory
    • Corrective Make up
    • Brushes and tools
    • Eyelash Extensions
Examination sources

Practical Skills Test (Esthetician)

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

Minnesota Esthetician State Examination

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Closed-book computer-delivered written examination
Exam questions
35 questions (30 scored, 5 experimental)
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
75%
Examination outline
  • General Information (15%)
    • Definitions
    • Board purpose and responsibilities
    • Scope of practice for cosmetology, esthiology, nail technology, and eyelash technology
  • Licensing (25%)
    • Maintaining individual licenses
    • License renewal for individuals
    • Continuing education
    • Types of salons and maintaining salon licenses
    • Licensed services not offered in a licensed salon
  • Practice Requirements (45%)
    • Salon physical requirements
    • Salon operational requirements
    • Infection control requirements
    • Salon prohibitions
    • Intoxicants and controlled substances
    • General practice requirements
  • Enforcement (15%)
    • Enforcement, violations, and penalties
    • Inspections
    • Display of license
    • Advertising
Examination sources

Esthetician Written Practical Examination

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Closed-book computer-delivered written examination
Exam questions
55 questions (50 scored, 5 experimental)
Time limit
1.5 hours
Passing score
75%
Examination outline
  • Safety and Infection Control (24%)
    • Disinfection and infection control procedures
    • Storage of tools and implements
    • First aid and exposure incident procedures
  • Skin Analysis (16%)
    • Skin types and structure
    • Skin conditions, disorders and diseases
  • Basic Facial (26%)
    • Cleansing
    • Exfoliating
    • Steaming
    • Masks
    • Massage manipulations
    • Product and product chemistry
    • Extractions
  • Makeup (12%)
    • Face shapes and corrective makeup
    • Application
    • Forms of makeup
    • Brushes and tools
  • Hair Removal (22%)
    • Tweezing
    • Tweezing procedure
    • Before and after treatment
    • Waxing
    • Types of wax
    • Waxing procedures
    • Before and after treatment
Examination sources

Salon Manager

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Closed-book computer-delivered written examination
Exam questions
30 questions (25 scored, 5 experimental)
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
75%
Examination outline
  • General Information (20%)
    • Definitions
    • Scope of practice for cosmetology, esthiology, nail technology, and eyelash technology
    • Salon manager license renewal
    • Salon license renewal
    • Types of salons and maintaining salon licenses
    • Licensed services not offered in a licensed salon
  • Manager Responsibilities (25%)
    • Advertising
    • Designated licensed salon manager
    • Salon supervision
    • Maintaining a salon license
  • Practice Requirements (40%)
    • Salon physical requirements; General practice requirements
    • Salon operational requirements
    • Infection control requirements
    • Salon prohibitions
    • Intoxicants and controlled substances
  • Enforcement (15%)
    • Enforcement, violations, and penalties
    • Inspections
    • Display of license
Examination sources