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Rhode Island Esthetician — Requirements & Free Practice

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Esthetician License

Licence to practice esthetics in Rhode Island.

Licensing authority: Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Hairdressing and Barbering · Application information

Examination
National Esthetics Theory Examination
Application
Submit the completed Department application, fee, identification and birth certificate or lawful-entry evidence; submit certified school transcripts directly from the school. Application is valid for one year.
Character
Good moral character.
General Education
High school graduation or equivalent, or at least 25 years of prior experience in the licensed practice. Foreign high-school credentials require equivalency evaluation.
Legal Presence
United States citizenship or lawful entry.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Practical Examination
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-10-8(a)(6) and 216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.5.2(C) require a Department-approved practical examination with a 70% passing score. The obtained state sources do not identify the particular examination; this is an unidentified examination slot, retained as a condition.
Professional Education
Complete at least 600 hours of continuous esthetics study and practice over at least four months in an approved school of hairdressing/cosmetology.
Scheduling
Complete required training hours before scheduling the NIC written examination with PSI.
Written Examination
The NIC Esthetics Theory Examination is the currently implemented written examination; minimum passing score is 70%. The Board may approve another examination service under § 4.5.2(B).
Endorsement
National Esthetics Theory Examination
Application
Submit the completed Department application, fee, identification and birth certificate or lawful-entry evidence; submit certified school transcripts directly from the school. Application is valid for one year.
Board Discretion
Under § 5-10-8(c), the Department may license case by case with or without examination; the waiver is an applicant condition.
Character
Good moral character.
General Education
High school graduation or equivalent, or at least 25 years of prior experience in the licensed practice. Foreign high-school credentials require equivalency evaluation.
Legal Presence
United States citizenship or lawful entry.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Practical Examination
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-10-8(a)(6) and 216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.5.2(C) require a Department-approved practical examination with a 70% passing score. The obtained state sources do not identify the particular examination; this is an unidentified examination slot, retained as a condition.
Previous Licence
Hold an esthetician licence from another state with substantially equivalent standards; submit good-standing verification from every state of licensure.
Prior Examinations
216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.5.3(A)(2) requires previously passed written and practical examinations acceptable to the Department. A prior acceptable examination may excuse sitting the currently implemented NIC theory test. Examinations belonging to another state are applicant evidence, not Rhode Island examination leaves.
Reciprocity
The entitlement in § 5-10-11(a) applies when the original state extends a similar privilege to Rhode Island licensees. Section 5-10-8(c) also permits equivalent-state licensure case by case.
Scheduling
Complete required training hours before scheduling the NIC written examination with PSI.
Written Examination
The NIC Esthetics Theory Examination is the currently implemented written examination; minimum passing score is 70%. The Board may approve another examination service under § 4.5.2(B).
Foreign trained examination
National Esthetics Theory Examination
Application
Submit the completed Department application, fee, identification and birth certificate or lawful-entry evidence; submit certified school transcripts directly from the school. Application is valid for one year.
Board Application Instruction
The practitioner application, page 2, states: "You must have passed both a written and practical examination in the state where you were licensed. If you did not take both examinations, you will be required to take the missing examination(s) here in Rhode Island." Its heading is Foreign-Trained Applicants; the rule still requires satisfaction of § 4.4.2.
Character
Good moral character.
Experience Credit
If education and training are not equivalent, § 4.5.4(A)(1) permits up to 1,000 hours of instructional credit for a combination of foreign training and at least 30 months of active foreign practice, subject to Department approval and the esthetician requirements.
General Education
High school graduation or equivalent, or at least 25 years of prior experience in the licensed practice. Foreign high-school credentials require equivalency evaluation.
Legal Presence
United States citizenship or lawful entry.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Practical Examination
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-10-8(a)(6) and 216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.5.2(C) require a Department-approved practical examination with a 70% passing score. The obtained state sources do not identify the particular examination; this is an unidentified examination slot, retained as a condition.
Previous Licence
Licensed to practice esthetics in another country; the Department must accept the credentials and their essential equivalence. Foreign national or foreign licensing examinations are conditions, not United States examination leaves.
Scheduling
Complete required training hours before scheduling the NIC written examination with PSI.
Written Examination
The NIC Esthetics Theory Examination is the currently implemented written examination; minimum passing score is 70%. The Board may approve another examination service under § 4.5.2(B).
Reinstatement after suspension or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
The Division may reinstate or reissue under any terms and conditions not contrary to law. Section 5-10-27 contains the actual short statutory provision, independently inspected despite the fetch warning; it identifies no particular examination or mandatory examination slot.
Previous Action
The Rhode Island licence was suspended or revoked under § 5-10-26.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse
Previously held this Rhode Island licence and failed to renew it timely.
Payment
Pay the current renewal fee under § 5-10-10(b). The implementing rule § 4.6(D) also states an additional fee under the Department fee structure. No examination is specified in these reinstatement provisions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee. No examination is specified in the complete renewal provisions.
Board Rule Dates
216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.6 instead specifies September 30 expiration and renewal filing. The Board licensing page says renewal notices are sent 60 days before expiration; verify the individual licence date with the Department.
Statutory Dates
Section 5-10-10(a) states expiration October 30 on an odd-even biennial basis, filing by October 15, and renewed licence effective October 1 and expiring September 30 two years later. These statutory statements are preserved as written.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military relocation recognition
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Decision
The Board must issue a written decision within 60 days of application. The authorization is valid only in Rhode Island.
Equivalence
The Board determines substantial equivalence of the original-state licensing requirements and credits substantially equivalent military education, training or experience under § 5-88-6.
Good Standing
Good standing in the other state; no disqualifying criminal record, revocation or surrender for negligence or intentional misconduct, or pending out-of-state unprofessional-conduct or crime proceeding. Pay applicable fees.
Implementation
Provide military-status evidence, relocation orders, interstate good-standing evidence and the criminal-background check requested by the Military Expedition Form in the practitioner application.
Military Status
United States armed-forces member or spouse relocating under military change-of-station orders to Rhode Island; a spouse must have left employment to accompany the member.
Previous Licence
Licensed or certified in another state for at least one year in the same professional service.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Endorsement with examination
National Esthetics Theory Examination
Application
Submit the completed Department application, fee, identification and birth certificate or lawful-entry evidence; submit certified school transcripts directly from the school. Application is valid for one year.
Character
Good moral character.
Experience Credit
The Department may grant 40 instructional hours per three months of licensed active esthetics practice, up to 200 hours, under § 4.5.3(A)(3)(b).
General Education
High school graduation or equivalent, or at least 25 years of prior experience in the licensed practice. Foreign high-school credentials require equivalency evaluation.
Legal Presence
United States citizenship or lawful entry.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Practical Examination
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-10-8(a)(6) and 216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.5.2(C) require a Department-approved practical examination with a 70% passing score. The obtained state sources do not identify the particular examination; this is an unidentified examination slot, retained as a condition.
Previous Licence
Currently licensed as an esthetician in another state; this pathway permits licensure by the Division examinations when credentials alone do not establish equivalence.
Scheduling
Complete required training hours before scheduling the NIC written examination with PSI.
Verification
Submit direct interstate verification from every state where licensed; acceptable prior written or practical examinations remain subject to Department review.
Written Examination
The NIC Esthetics Theory Examination is the currently implemented written examination; minimum passing score is 70%. The Board may approve another examination service under § 4.5.2(B).
Examination
National Esthetics Theory Examination
Application
Submit the completed Department application, fee, identification and birth certificate or lawful-entry evidence; submit certified school transcripts directly from the school. Application is valid for one year.
Character
Good moral character.
General Education
High school graduation or equivalent, or at least 25 years of prior experience in the licensed practice. Foreign high-school credentials require equivalency evaluation.
Legal Presence
United States citizenship or lawful entry.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Practical Examination
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-10-8(a)(6) and 216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.5.2(C) require a Department-approved practical examination with a 70% passing score. The obtained state sources do not identify the particular examination; this is an unidentified examination slot, retained as a condition.
Professional Education
Hold a diploma or certificate from a skin-care school recognized by its state or nation, whose graduation requirement is at least 600 hours; satisfy § 5-10-8.
Scheduling
Complete required training hours before scheduling the NIC written examination with PSI.
Written Examination
The NIC Esthetics Theory Examination is the currently implemented written examination; minimum passing score is 70%. The Board may approve another examination service under § 4.5.2(B).

National Esthetics Theory Examination

Provider
National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); administered by Test Administration companies and States upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Theory examination of four-option multiple-choice items, only one option correct
Exam questions
110 items, of which 100 are weighted and contribute to the final score
Time limit
90 minutes
Examination outline
  • SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS (55%) (55%)
    • Basic knowledge of microbiology (i.e., bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi)
    • Apply knowledge of infection control procedures related to: — Levels of infection control (i.e., sanitation, disinfection, sterilization)
    • Apply knowledge of infection control procedures related to: — Methods of infection control (i.e., heat, chemical agents)
    • Apply knowledge of safety procedures and guidelines related to: — Standard (Universal) Precautions
    • Apply knowledge of safety procedures and guidelines related to: — Blood exposure procedures
    • Apply knowledge of safety procedures and guidelines related to: — Safety Data Sheets (SDS) (e.g., manufacturer’s labeling)
    • Apply knowledge of safety procedures and guidelines related to: — Handling of chemicals
    • Demonstrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to: — Cells and their functions
    • Demonstrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to: — Tissues (i.e., epithelial, connective, nerve, muscular)
    • Demonstrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to: — Organs and their function (e.g., skin, lungs, heart)
    • Demonstrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to: — Systems and their functions (e.g., muscular, integumentary, nervous, endocrine, skeletal)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of histology and physiology of the skin related to: — Structure and function of the layers of the skin
    • Demonstrate an understanding of histology and physiology of the skin related to: — Structure and function of the glands
    • Demonstrate an understanding of histology and physiology of the skin related to: — Functions of the skin (e.g., protection, temperature regulation, absorption)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Disorders of the sebaceous gland (e.g., acne, milia, seborrhea)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Disorders of the sudoriferous gland (e.g., hyperhidrosis, bromhydrosis, anhidrosis)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Contagious diseases (e.g., bacterial conjunctivitis, herpes simplex, tinea)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Skin inflammations (e.g., dermatitis, eczema, rosacea)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Skin pigmentation (i.e., hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Skin growths (e.g., skin tags, moles, keratoma)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Skin cancers (i.e., basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Primary and secondary skin lesions
    • Understanding function and composition of the hair related to: — Structure of the hair and its follicle
    • Understanding function and composition of the hair related to: — Growth cycles
    • Understanding function and composition of the hair related to: — Abnormal hair growth (e.g., hirsutism, hypertrichosis)
    • Understanding basic chemistry as related to: — Ingredients
    • Understanding basic chemistry as related to: — Labeling
    • Understanding basic chemistry as related to: — Function (e.g., hydration, protection, cleanse)
    • Understanding basic chemistry as related to: — Acidity/Alkalinity (i.e., pH)
  • SKIN CARE AND SERVICES (45%) (45%)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release) — Apply knowledge of client protection (i.e., draping of head and body)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release) — Skin analysis (e.g., Fitzpatrick skin types/conditions/characteristics)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release) — Contraindications for skin services
    • Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release) — Treatment protocol
    • Demonstrate an understanding of basic facial procedures
    • Demonstrate an understanding of cleansing procedures
    • Demonstrate an understanding of steaming procedures
    • Demonstrate an understanding of exfoliation procedures (i.e., chemical, mechanical/manual)
    • Demonstrate a basic understanding of massage movements
    • Demonstrate an understanding of methods of extraction
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the functions and applications of masks related to clay/mud (e.g., cream, gel, clay/mud)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the conclusion of facial services: — Treat/moisturize (e.g., treatment cream, serum)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the conclusion of facial services: — Sun protection
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the conclusion of facial services: — Home care (i.e., after care)
    • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the use of electrical equipment used in skin services
    • Demonstrate an understanding of makeup as related to: — Principles (e.g., color theory)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of makeup as related to: — Product selection (e.g., lipstick, foundation)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of makeup as related to: — Application (e.g., contouring, highlighting, blending)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of makeup as related to: — Safety (e.g., bracing)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of makeup as related to: — Infection control (e.g., disposables, disinfection of tools)
    • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of other services related to: — Facial services (e.g., aromatherapy, pre- and post-surgical/medical treatments, ultrasonic)
    • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of other services related to: — Body treatments (body wraps, body scrubs, sunless tanning)
    • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of other services related to: — Eyelash and eyebrow services (e.g., lash and brow tinting, artificial lashes, lash lifting/perming)
    • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of other services related to: — Demonstrate an understanding of hair removal methods and procedures (i.e., waxing, tweezing)
    • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of other services related to: — Wellness programs
    • Demonstrates basic knowledge of advanced topics and treatments (e.g., dermaplaning, nano infusion, microdermabrasion)
Examination sources