Welcome to the Beginner’s Handbook to the Best Beauty Schools in California for Your Esthetician License!

In the following post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming an esthetician in California. First, we’ll go through basic esthetician certification information, and then we’ll cover esthetician jobs and average salary in California. To get started, let’s hop down to the table of contents below..

Best Beauty Schools in California

Finding the Best Esthetician School in California: Table of Contents

What Does an Esthetician Do?


First, we’ll cover a quick job description. Once you have your Esthetician certification, you have many different options.

Often, the term “esthetician” refers to someone who provides skincare services for their clients. This includes facial treatments, waxing, and make-up application. Typically, estheticians work in spas, resorts, luxury hotels, beauty salons, and waxing salons.

Another type of esthetician is a medical esthetician (or paramedical esthetician). In this specialty, estheticians still work with skincare but in different settings. Usually, they find jobs in dermatological medical settings or with plastic surgeons.

Job responsibilities include pre- and post-operative care. For example, educating patients on how to take care of their skin.

Next, we’ll take a more detailed look at the different esthetician certification types.

Best Beauty Schools in California: Types of Estheticians

In sum, there are 6 basic types of esthetician specialties:

  • Wax/Hair Remover Specialist
  • Master Esthetician
  • Medical/Paramedical Esthetician
  • Esthetician Skin Care Specialist
  • Clinical Esthetician
  • Medical Spa Manager
  • Make Up Artist

How to Become an Esthetician in California

best esthetician school in california

  1. Although it takes hard work, you have the power to be a successful esthetician in California!
  2. Here are the 9 major steps to take, including getting your esthetician certification from one of the beauty schools in California. It’s important to note that there are different esthetician requirements by state, and these esthetician requirements are specific to California
  3. First, learn everything you can about being an esthetician. This way, you’ll be sure this is a career path you’re passionate about. (For this reason, we’ve included plenty of videos/relevant info to help you out! Also, take advantage of our “Resources” section at the bottom.)
  4. Next, apply at an esthetician school near you. Usually, accredited esthetician schools admission requirements require a high school diploma or GED.
  5. Once you’ve been accepted by one of the top esthetician schools, you’ll spend time in esthetician training classes. During your time in school, you’ll learn through a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction.
  6. Once you have your esthetician certification, you’ll be ready to start working as an apprentice esthetician.
  7. After completing the esthetician classes and receiving your degree, it’s time to take the esthetician state board exam.
  8. Then it’s time for the most exciting part: finding a job! Typically, the top esthetician schools will help with job placement.
  9. Even after you find a job, remember to renew your esthetician certification every two years.
  10. As always, you can go back to school for a more advanced type of esthetician certification.


Esthetician Requirements by State:
California Esthetician License Cost


To review, here’s a profile of California’s esthetician requirements by state:

  • At least 600 hours at beauty school
  • Esthetician license cost is $40
  • The exam fee is $75
  • In California, the board doesn’t accept hours clocked as an apprentice
  • Must renew license bi-yearly by the end of the same month it was given to you
  • Costs $50 to renew the license

Esthetician State Board Exam Questions

Understandably, many students want to find esthetician state board exam practice questions to get ready for the test. Luckily, there are plenty of helpful resources both on and offline that will help you prepare.

Accordingly, here are some materials that will help you answer those esthetician state board exam questions like a pro. First, here are the top 3 online practices quizzes to use:

Another helpful method is to study through YouTube videos. Sometimes, having a real-life person talking gets you out of your head and helps you absorb the material better.

So, think you would benefit from getting out of your head for a bit? Check these videos out:

Sometimes, it’s good to step away from a computer and do it the old fashioned way: with a book. Here are some great choices from Amazon’s selection:

Esthetician Career & Salary:
How Much Do Estheticians Make in California?


In general, it’s helpful to compare their salaries/hourly wages to the national averages.

  • On average, Skin Care Estheticians make $16.89 per hour. Put differently, that’s a national mean salary of $35,130.
  • Interestingly, sub-type who makes the most is paramedical/medical estheticians, who earn an average hourly wage of $18.14.
  • In comparison, estheticians in California earn an average of $18.64 per hour, or $38,760 per year. Comparatively, that’s a few grand more than the national average.

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Skincare Specialists as of May 2017)

How to Find Esthetician Training Programs Near You
Best Esthetician School in California


In order to find esthetician classes near you, put your zip code into the search bar below. Then, you’ll find a complete list of beauty schools in California.

Aveda Esthetician School


Aveda, a globally-recognized pioneer in the field of aesthetics, has 2 esthetician schools in California. One of Aveda’s beauty schools is in Los Angeles, and the other is in San Francisco.

Aveda Esthetician School in Los Angeles, CA

The Aveda Institute in Los Angeles is one of the best beauty schools in California. And it’s located right in Los Angeles, the center of everything!

Cinta Aveda – San Jose
San Jose, CA 95113
info@[email protected]
(405) 648 – 2555

Aveda Esthetician School in San Francisco, CA

Another Aveda Institute location in California is in San Francisco. The San Francisco and San Joses’s Aveda Institute In order to contact them, use the info below:

Cinta Aveda – San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94108
[email protected]
(415) 989 – 4400

Aveda Esthetician School Cost

Undoubtedly, one of the biggest concerns with potential cosmetology students is how much does esthetician school cost at Aveda?

Depending on the type of program, the tuition costs vary. However, financial aid is often available. So are Federal Pell Grant Loans.

Additionally, Aveda’s own financial aid department works on a case-by-case basis with students.

Best Esthetician School in Sacramento

Another one of the top esthetician schools is located in Sacramento, California. The Frederico Beauty Institute is a cutting-edge, super stylish beauty school with a cutting-edge Esthetics program. And you can attend full- or part-time, depending on your schedule.

In order to find details about this esthetician school cost and financial aid, visit their Financial Aid page.

How to Get Your Esthetician License Online


Of course, many students wonder if they can get their esthetician license online. While it’s impossible to become fully certified online, some states do allow partial online courses. Currently, the Fortis Institute is the only accredited esthetician school in most states.

Interestingly, California is one of the few states that allows you to go to esthetician school online!

best esthetician school in California

FAQs for Esthetician Schools in California


Next, we’ll cover the most common questions about top beauty schools in California.

How long is esthetician school?

The first big milestone to becoming an esthetician is completing esthetician school.

  • In general, it takes about 4-6 months for full-time students.
  • For part-time students, it’s anywhere from 9 to 12 months.

How much does it cost to become an esthetician in California?

Depending on the individual beauty school tuition, costs can vary. However, the $70 license fee and $177 apprenticeship application fee are the same for everyone.

For qualified individuals, federal financial aid programs are available.

What’s the difference between a cosmetologist and an esthetician? Can you be an esthetician with a cosmetology license?

A cosmetologist works with hair, skin, and nails. In contrast, an esthetician only works with skin care. Therefore, a cosmetologist just needs to add some more training to become an esthetician.

Comparatively, estheticians don’t usually work as cosmetologists. This makes sense because they just haven’t studied hair and nails.

Typically, most states let you be an esthetician when you have your cosmetology license. In California, you can do this. As long as the training in your original state is as good or better than the requirements in California.

Top Esthetician Schools in California & Beyond:
Bordering States

If you want to expand your options, consider getting your esthetician certification from one of the best cosmetology schools in a nearby state. Below, you’ll find links to the top esthetician schools nearby.

Next Steps

First, thank you for reading our Ultimate Guide to the Top Beauty Schools in California. As always, feel free to leave questions in the comments section below.

To enroll today, simply enter your zip code into the search bar below. After that, a list of the best beauty schools in California near you will be custom-made for your location.

Who knows? This could be one of the best decisions you ever make!
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Sources:
What Can I Do With an Esthetician License?
How to Become an Esthetician
Beauty Schools Directory
What’s the difference between a cosmetologist and an esthetician?

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