Esthetician Schools in Kentucky

With the number of jobs growing at an astounding rate, now may be the time to become an esthetician in Kentucky. rowse our directory of esthetician schools in Kentucky, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Esthetician in Kentucky

In Kentucky, an esthetician is defined as a beauty professional who performs skin care services such as cleansing, exfoliation, facials, makeup application, hair removal, massage, and eyelash extensions.

According to the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology, to become an esthetician in the state, you must:

• Complete 750 hours of esthetics training
• Complete a 12th-grade education (or equivalent)
• Pass written and practical exams
• Apply for a license
• Pay the $50 licensing fee
• Receive a license verification

Applying for a License with a Criminal History

A felony in your past does not mean you'll be automatically denied an esthetics license in Kentucky. But you need to submit extra documentation when you apply. Candidates with criminal convictions must include the following alongside their application:

• A signed letter of explanation
• A certified copy of the judgment and sentence from the issuing court
• A letter of good standing from your probation or parole officer, if currently on probation or parole

Can I Specialize in an Esthetics Area in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, licensed estheticians can work as medical or nurse estheticians under the direct supervision of a physician. They often provide preoperative and postoperative skin care in plastic surgeon's offices or rehabilitation centers.

Under a physician's supervision, medical estheticians can provide services such as:

• Microdermabrasion
• Acid and chemical exfoliation
• Using prescription medical devices

Offering specialized treatments as an esthetician may open you up to more job opportunities and a higher salary. For instance, medical estheticians in Kentucky make an average of $48,536 annually, which is higher than the state's mean salary of $35,430 for regular estheticians.

Estheticians can also receive permits to practice eyebrow threading, makeup, or eyelash artistry. To offer these specialties, applicants must have completed a board-approved sanitation course within the last six months before applying, submit a permit application, and pay the $50 permit fee. Individuals hoping to receive an eyelash artistry permit must also complete a board-approved eyelash certificate training program within the last six months before applying.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Kentucky

On average, estheticians in Kentucky earn $35,430 annually or $17.03 per hour. However, wages vary, with the top 10% of estheticians in Kentucky making $45,880 or more and the lowest 10% making $23,030 or less. Geographic location, specialties, and years of experience impact an esthetician's income.

The career outlook for estheticians in Kentucky is particularly bright, with jobs projected to grow by 27% from 2020-2030. This is much higher than the national average of 17%.

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

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Kentucky

To become an esthetician in Kentucky, you must complete 750 hours of esthetics training at a State board-approved school before applying for licensure.

These 750 hours must include:

• 250 lecture hours for science and theory
• 35 hours on the subject of applicable Kentucky statutes and administrative regulations
• 465 clinic and practice hours

You must complete at least 115 hours of training before you will be permitted to perform services on members of the public. Before this, you must practice your new skills on mannequins and your fellow students instead.

A state-approved esthetician curriculum must include:

Basics

• History and career opportunities
• Professional image
• Communication

General sciences

• Infection control: Principles and practices
• General anatomy and physiology
• Basics of chemistry
• Basics of electricity
• Basics of nutrition

Skin sciences

• Physiology and histology of the skin
• Disorders and diseases of the skin
• Skin analysis
• Skin care products: Chemistry, ingredients, and selection

Esthetics

• Treatment room
• Basic facials
• Facial massage
• Facial machines
• Hair removal
• Advanced topics and treatments
• Application of artificial eyelashes
• Makeup

Business Skills

• Career planning
• The skin care business
• Selling products and services

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Kentucky?  

No, Kentucky doesn't offer esthetician apprenticeships.

Kentucky Esthetician Licensing Requirements

To become a licensed esthetician in Kentucky, you must pass both practical and written esthetics exams. Each test costs $85. The theory test is only offered in English.

The practical exam covers:

• Workstation preparation: 10 minutes
• Basic facial: 25 minutes
• Eyebrow waxing and tweezing: Varied timing
• Makeup application: 25 minutes
• End-of-day clean-up: 10 minutes

The written exam covers:

Safety and infection control: 34%

• Workstation and environment
• Safe working practices
• Regulatory agencies
• Infection control
• Standard precautions for exposure incidents
• Effective safety responses for client injury

Client consultation: 4%

• Client intake form
• Client release form
• Contraindications

Skin analysis: 13%

• Skin structure, type, conditions, and disorders

Skin care: 27%

• Products and product chemistry
• Procedures

Makeup: 4%

• Procedures
• Eyelash extensions and enhancements

Hair removal: 13%

• Waxing
• Tweezing

Advanced treatments: 5%

• Chemical exfoliation
• Microdermabrasion
• Electrotherapy

Applicants needing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations must create an account in the testing center system, then submit a test accommodation request form. You may also need to provide evidence of your disability and how it will impact your examination experience.

Kentucky Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

Estheticians from other states can obtain a Kentucky esthetics license through reciprocity.

To do this, you must:

• Provide certification of hours and/or license
• Submit a license transfer application, along with any relevant documentation
• Pay the $100 endorsement fee
• Pass the written and practical Kentucky State exams

If your out-of-state hours don't match Kentucky's requirement, you must complete the remaining hours before applying for the licensure exam.

Military Reciprocity

Military members and spouses who hold an active license in another state can transfer their license to Kentucky by submitting a military sponsor license transfer application, documentation and a $100 fee.

License Renewal

Esthetician licenses in Kentucky must be renewed every July by submitting a renewal application and paying the $50 renewal fee. If you don't renew by July 31, your license is considered expired, and you'll have to pay the $50 restoration fee.

No continuing education is needed to renew an esthetician's license in Kentucky. Still, continuing education classes are always recommended to stay up-to-date with current trends and developments in the esthetics industry.

Contact the Kentucky State Board of Esthetics

Resources for Estheticians in Kentucky

Kentucky Board of Cosmetology
The government agency tasked with regulating the state's beauty industry.

Kentucky Association of Medical Aesthetic Providers
An organization dedicated to promoting community and safety in the medical aesthetics industry.

National Coalition of Estheticians Association Kentucky Branch
An organization offering continuing education activities and helping estheticians become certified.

Kentucky Esthetician Group
A Facebook group aiming to connect estheticians across the state to provide education, support, and networking opportunities.