Esthetician Schools in Iowa

If you're an Iowan who enjoys helping people look and feel their best, a career as an esthetician may be right for you. On average, Iowa estheticians make about $13,000 more than the average earnings for all personal care careers in the state. And Iowa esthetician school training is shorter than those for many other jobs!

Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Iowa, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

Browse All Esthetician Schools in Iowa

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4444 1st Avenue Northeast 12
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Teacher Training

6322 University Avenue
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Teacher Training

5205 North Brady Street
Davenport, IA 52806

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

2419 5th Avenue South
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Teacher Training

8805 Chambery Boulevard
Johnston, IA 50131

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Teacher Training
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Aveda Institute Des Moines – Accredited

6905 Mills Civic Parkway 120
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Capri College – Accredited

2323 Crossroads Boulevard
Waterloo, IA 50702

Capri College - Cedar Rapids – Accredited

2945 Williams Parkway Southwest
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Capri College - Davenport – Accredited

2540 East 53rd Street
Davenport, IA 52807

Capri College - Dubuque – Accredited

395 Main Street
Dubuque, IA 52004

Faust Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

1543 18th Street Suite 15
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Iowa School of Beauty - Sioux City – Accredited

3320 Line Drive
Sioux City, IA 51106

Iowa School of Beauty - Urbandale – Accredited

3305 70th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322

La James College of Hairstyling – Accredited

24 Second Street Northeast
Mason City, IA 50401

La James College of Hairstyling – Accredited

24 Second Street Northeast
Mason City, IA 50401

PCI Academy - Ames – Accredited

309 Kitty Hawk Drive
Ames, IA 50010

PCI Academy - Iowa City – Accredited

1550 South 1st Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52240

World of Beauty Academy - Des Moines – Accredited

3409 Southeast 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50320
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Esthetician Schools Near Me

Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Iowa have to offer.

How to Become a Esthetician in Iowa

Iowa Esthetician Careers At a Glance
  • 600 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 6 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • Average salary for estheticians in Iowa is $42,210.
  • There is a predicted 13% job increase between 2018-2028 for estheticians.

An esthetician in Iowa is a beauty professional providing services related to skincare, massage, hair removal, and makeup. Before receiving your esthetician license, you must first fulfill the following requirements:

  • Graduated from high school or the equivalent
  • Completed 600 training hours
  • Pass the written and practical examinations with a score of 75% or higher
  • Apply for licensure and pay the $60 fee

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Iowa

$42,210

Average yearly salary for esthetics in Iowa

Estheticians, also called skincare specialists, in Iowa earn an annual mean wage of $42,210 or $20.29 per hour. Typically, salaries range from $19,470 to $60,800, which often depends on location, hours worked, or services provided.

The esthetician career in Iowa is expected to grow by 13% from 2018-2028. However, this estimate doesn't factor in job openings left by turnover.

The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in Iowa are:

Metro Area 2021 Median Salary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa $38,180
Omaha-Council Bluffs, Nebraska-Iowa $30,540

Table information sourced from the O*Net (2022). Note: Median is often less than mean because it means right in the middle instead of all salaries averaged together.

How to Become an Esthetician in Iowa

600 Education Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

Estheticians in Iowa must complete the required 600 training hours before obtaining licensure. It's recommended to receive your education from a state-approved beauty school.

An esthetics curriculum consists of:

  • Applied Practical Instruction: 335 hours
  • Core Life Sciences: 150 hours
  • Esthetics Theory: 115 hours

Estheticians in Iowa can't perform pedicures, microdermabrasion, or services using a certified laser product or an intense pulsed light (IPL) device without additional training.

For an Iowa beauty school to remain licensed, it has to:

  • Pay the annual licensing fee
  • Pass a sanitary inspection
  • Adhere to a yearly board inspection
  • Have a minimum of two full-time licensed instructors on-site to accommodate 30 students and an additional licensed instructor for each 15 additional students

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Iowa?

Iowa doesn't offer esthetician apprenticeships. Prospective new estheticians in the state can only earn their licenses through approved schooling and examination.

Iowa Esthetician Licensing Requirements

After completing the mandated 600 esthetics training hours, you must pass the state board esthetics exams with a 75% or higher score.

You can sign up for the test online through Iowa's testing provider, PSI. It costs $58 to take and is administered via computer at the testing center site.

Individuals needing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations can apply and send a request to PSI using the form listed on the Candidate Information Bulletin. Exams can be taken in Korean, Vietnamese, and Spanish.

On the day of the test, you should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time and bring two forms of valid, signature-bearing identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or social security card.

The written practical examination lasts 120 minutes and includes 60 graded items consisting of:

Scientific concepts, which counts for 35% and includes: basic chemistry, function and composition of the hair, infection control, safety procedures, and skin disorders and diseases.

Skincare and services topics, which count for 65%. These include:

  • Basic knowledge of services like facials, body treatments, eyelash and eyebrows procedures, and hair removal
  • Cleansing
  • Client consultation and documentation
  • Client protection
  • Conclusion of facial services
  • Contraindications for skin services
  • Electrical equipment
  • Exfoliation
  • Makeup
  • Masks
  • Massage
  • Methods of extraction
  • Skin analysis
  • Steaming
  • Treatment protocol

The written theory exam comprises 100 graded items and takes 90 minutes to complete. The test covers:

Scientific concepts (55%), which includes: basic chemistry, function and composition of the hair, histology and anatomy of the skin, human physiology and anatomy, infection control, microbiology, safety procedures, and skin disorders and diseases.

Skincare and services (45%), which includes the following topics:

  • Basic knowledge of services like facials, body treatments, eyelash and eyebrows procedures, hair removal, and wellness programs
  • Cleansing
  • Client consultation and documentation
  • Client protection
  • Conclusion of facial services
  • Contraindications for skin services
  • Electrical equipment
  • Exfoliation
  • Makeup
  • Masks
  • Massage
  • Methods of extraction
  • Skin analysis
  • Steaming
  • Treatment protocol

You will receive your scores on-site immediately following exam completion.

Iowa Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

Esthetician licensure by endorsement is available in Iowa to any applicant from another state, country, or the District of Columbia as long as the esthetician has held an active license for at least 12 months during the past 24 months.

Applicants must submit an esthetician application, provide the board with license verification, and pay the $60 licensure fee.

Applicants who graduated from a cosmetology school before January 1, 2000, must provide proof of passing the written and practical exams in the state they're originally licensed in.

Those who graduated after January 1, 2000, must provide proof of passing their state's theory exam. The board will determine if the exams suffice or if the candidate should take the National Interstate Council exam before obtaining licensure in Iowa.

Esthetician Specialties in Iowa

With additional training, estheticians in Iowa can also be certified to offer microdermabrasion, laser, and IPL hair removal services.

An esthetician license in Iowa allows you to earn other cosmetology-related licenses faster. This is because you can transfer the core life sciences and theory credits acquired during your esthetician training to the disciplines of cosmetology, nail technology, and electrology.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

6 Hours

Continuing education required

Esthetician licenses must be renewed every two years before March 31, and renewal costs $60. You can renew your license up to 60 days before expiration, and the process can be done online.

To renew, estheticians must complete four hours of continuing education classwork in esthetics and two hours in Iowa cosmetology law and rules and sanitation.

Contact the Iowa State Board of Esthetics

Iowa Department of Public Health

Cosmetologists and Barbers of Iowa
This salon professional association offers continuing education classes, networking opportunities, and advocates for legislation on behalf of the beauty industry.

Cosmetology Guild of Iowa
This association brings beauty professionals in Iowa for networking, education, and advice together.

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Esthetics/Skin Care
Iowa

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