How to Get Licensed for Esthetics in North Dakota (Esthetician License Required)
If you want to practice esthetics in North Dakota, an esthetician license is required by law. Here is what the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology requires, step by step.
North Dakota licenses esthetics practitioners through the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology. Required training: 600 hours (school-based esthetician program, NDAC 32-04-01-27 / NDCC 43-11-16), or 2,000 hours through a registered apprenticeship program (effective January 1, 2026). Must pass a written NIC theory exam and a separate North Dakota Laws, Rules and Regulations exam (both administered by Prov), plus a practical exam administered in person by the board itself.
Compare schools below, read the step-by-step guide, and see how our Esthetics course for North Dakota fits your licensing path.
North Dakota Esthetics licensing requirements at a glance
| Required hours | 600 hours (school-based esthetician program, NDAC 32-04-01-27 / NDCC 43-11-16), or 2,000 hours through a registered apprenticeship program (effective January 1, 2026) |
| License type | Esthetician License |
| Licensing board | North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology |
| Exams | Written and practical exams required |
| Estimated fees | $50.00 (statutory maximum for the esthetician original license, NDCC 43-11-28; a separate examination fee is set by the exam administrator and is not a fixed statutory figure) |
| Typical timeline | 6-9 months |
| Renewal | License renews every year |
| Minimum age | 16 (minimum age to register as a student at a licensed cosmetology/esthetics school, per NDCC 43-11-19; no separate minimum age is stated for issuance of the esthetician license itself) years |
| State notes | 600 hours at a board-approved school, or 2,000 hours through a registered apprenticeship program, an alternative path effective January 1, 2026. Must pass a written NIC theory exam and a separate North Dakota Laws, Rules and Regulations exam (both administered by Prov), plus a practical exam administered in person by the board itself. License renews every year. |
Requirements verified against official board sources. Rules change - confirm with the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology before you enroll.
Step by Step: How to Get Licensed in North Dakota
Prepare with our online Esthetics course
Because North Dakota 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 North Dakota for real, accredited programs.
Want us to guide you through North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
Contact Us →Licensed schools & studios in North Dakota
Compare accredited beauty schools on record for North Dakota, or browse practicing electrologists where applicable.
North Dakota requires 600 hours (school-based esthetician program, NDAC 32-04-01-27 / NDCC 43-11-16), or 2,000 hours through a registered apprenticeship program (effective January 1, 2026) through a path approved by the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology.
Yes: Must pass a written NIC theory exam and a separate North Dakota Laws, Rules and Regulations exam (both administered by Prov), plus a practical exam administered in person by the board itself.
Our online course can prepare you for the material, but North Dakota requires in-person hours through the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology. Online study does not replace those hours.
Reciprocity rules vary by state and are not automatic. Contact the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology directly to ask about transferring an existing license.
You will need to complete 600 hours (school-based esthetician program, NDAC 32-04-01-27 / NDCC 43-11-16), or 2,000 hours through a registered apprenticeship program (effective January 1, 2026) 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 (statutory maximum for the esthetician original license, NDCC 43-11-28; a separate examination fee is set by the exam administrator and is not a fixed statutory figure) for North Dakota, which the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology states covers exam and licensing costs. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the board before you apply.
License renews every year. Confirm your state's exact renewal cycle and continuing education requirements with the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology.
North Dakota 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 North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology.
North Dakota Esthetics Licensing Requirements. Planning to get licensed for esthetics in North Dakota? As of the most recent update, this state requires 600 hours (school-based esthetician program, NDAC 32-04-01-27 / NDCC 43-11-16), or 2,000 hours through a registered apprenticeship program (effective January 1, 2026), licensing handled by the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology, a licensing fee of $50.00 (statutory maximum for the esthetician original license, NDCC 43-11-28; a separate examination fee is set by the exam administrator and is not a fixed statutory figure). This page tracks the current board, required hours, minimum age, and renewal rules for North Dakota, cross-linked with our online esthetics course for the theory portion of your training and our school directory for approved in-person programs near North Dakota. Rules change, so always confirm the latest requirement directly with the North Dakota 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 North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology. Verified July 2026. Licensing rules can change - always confirm current requirements with the board before enrolling or applying.