How to Get Licensed for Esthetics in Mississippi (Esthetician License Required)
If you want to practice esthetics in Mississippi, an esthetician license is required by law. Here is what the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering requires, step by step.
Mississippi licenses esthetics practitioners through the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Required training: 600 hours at a board-licensed esthetics school, or 1,200 hours through an apprenticeship. Must pass both a written exam (NIC-developed theory content) and a practical exam, both administered directly by the board, plus a separate Mississippi Law and Sanitation exam.
Compare schools below, read the step-by-step guide, and see how our Esthetics course for Mississippi fits your licensing path.
Mississippi Esthetics licensing requirements at a glance
| Required hours | 600 hours at a board-licensed esthetics school, or 1,200 hours through an apprenticeship |
| License type | Esthetician License |
| Licensing board | Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering |
| Exams | Written and practical exams required |
| Estimated fees | $50.00 (practitioner license/renewal fee, per Rule 5.20) |
| Typical timeline | 6-9 months |
| Renewal | License renews every 2 years |
| Minimum age | 16 years |
| State notes | 600 hours at a board-licensed esthetics school, or 1,200 hours through an apprenticeship. Must pass both a written exam (NIC-developed theory content) and a practical exam, both administered directly by the board, plus a separate Mississippi Law and Sanitation exam. License renews every 2 years. |
Requirements verified against official board sources. Rules change - confirm with the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering before you enroll.
Step by Step: How to Get Licensed in Mississippi
Prepare with our online Esthetics course
Because Mississippi requires in-person training hours, our online course builds theory before or during your school program - it does not replace board-required clinical hours.
Four enrollment plans from $1,380. 12-module program taught by Aida Khazieva with lifetime access on Advanced plans and above.
Also see Find Esthetics Schools in Mississippi for real, accredited programs.
Want us to guide you through Mississippi licensing?
Figuring out hours, approved schools, paperwork, and exam timing on your own takes real time. Aida's team offers hands-on licensing support - guidance and coordination, never a shortcut. Only your state board issues the license.
- 60-90 minute 1:1 strategy session
- Written roadmap for Mississippi esthetics licensing
- Shortlist of approved schools near you
- Exam and timeline overview
- Everything in the Licensing Roadmap
- School application and board paperwork prep
- Document review before you submit
- 90 days of email and WhatsApp support
- Everything in Guided Application Support
- Regular check-ins until your license is issued
- Mock practical exam prep with Aida
- Priority same-day support
Not sure which package fits Mississippi?
Contact Us →Licensed schools & studios in Mississippi
Compare accredited beauty schools on record for Mississippi, or browse practicing electrologists where applicable.
Schools in Mississippi
Mississippi requires 600 hours at a board-licensed esthetics school, or 1,200 hours through an apprenticeship through a path approved by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
Yes: Must pass both a written exam (NIC-developed theory content) and a practical exam, both administered directly by the board, plus a separate Mississippi Law and Sanitation exam.
Our online course can prepare you for the material, but Mississippi requires in-person hours through the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Online study does not replace those hours.
Reciprocity rules vary by state and are not automatic. Contact the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering directly to ask about transferring an existing license.
You will need to complete 600 hours at a board-licensed esthetics school, or 1,200 hours through an apprenticeship through an approved path, plus time to prepare for and pass the required exam. Total timelines vary based on your school's schedule.
Budget $50.00 (practitioner license/renewal fee, per Rule 5.20) for Mississippi, which the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering states covers exam and licensing costs. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the board before you apply.
License renews every 2 years. Confirm your state's exact renewal cycle and continuing education requirements with the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
Mississippi lists an apprenticeship path, where supervised work can count toward your required hours. Outside of an approved apprenticeship, you generally need to finish your program and pass your exam before working independently. Confirm the exact rules with the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
Mississippi Esthetics Licensing Requirements. Planning to get licensed for esthetics in Mississippi? As of the most recent update, this state requires 600 hours at a board-licensed esthetics school, or 1,200 hours through an apprenticeship, licensing handled by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, a licensing fee of $50.00 (practitioner license/renewal fee, per Rule 5.20). This page tracks the current board, required hours, minimum age, and renewal rules for Mississippi, cross-linked with our online esthetics course for the theory portion of your training and our school directory for approved in-person programs near Mississippi. Rules change, so always confirm the latest requirement directly with the Mississippi licensing board before enrolling.
Financial Aid and Government Support
Several real federal and state programs can help cover the cost of beauty education. Federal Pell Grants and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are available to eligible students at accredited schools through the FAFSA. Veterans and their families may be able to use GI Bill benefits at VA-approved programs. Some states also offer workforce funding through WIOA, administered by local American Job Centers, though eligibility for cosmetology and esthetics programs varies by region.
Important: these programs apply to your accredited in-person school, where you complete your required hours, not to our online preparation course directly. Contact your chosen school's financial aid office or your local American Job Center to find out what you qualify for.
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Sourced from the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Verified July 2026. Licensing rules can change - always confirm current requirements with the board before enrolling or applying.