Esthetician Schools in Mississippi

If you're considering an esthetician career in Mississippi, you've come to the right place. Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Mississippi, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Esthetician in Mississippi

Estheticians perform various skincare services for their clients, such as facials, massages, makeup applications, and more. In Mississippi, all practicing estheticians must be licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology.

Before you're eligible to obtain an esthetician's license in Mississippi, you must:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Be able to read, write, and speak English.
• Have a high school education (or equivalent).
• Complete at least 600 training hours in a state-approved program.
• Complete and submit the relevant licensing application.
• Pay the required licensing fee.
• Pass written and practical examinations.

Can I Specialize in an Esthetics Area in Mississippi?

Established estheticians in Mississippi can become master estheticians. To do this, you must have held your license for at least 12 months, complete at least 16 hours of continuing education, and pay a $70 fee.

To maintain master status, you need to complete at least eight hours of continuing education every two years.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Mississippi

In Mississippi, licensed estheticians earn a mean salary of $43,665 per year when the four areas that publish this data are averaged together.

The amount you can earn as an esthetician depends on several factors, such as the geographical area you're based in, your level of professional experience, and the types of services you offer.

For example, a highly trained skincare specialist based in a high-end city spa will likely earn more than a newly trained esthetician based in a small rural salon.

The job market is also looking good for estheticians in Mississippi, with projected employment growth of 14% between 2020 and 2030.

The four areas that publish esthetician salary data in Mississippi are:

Table information sourced from BLS (2023)

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Mississippi

Before taking your exams and applying for licensure to become an esthetician in Mississippi, you must complete at least 600 training hours through a state-approved esthetics program. These 600 hours have to include 100 hours of theory work and 500 hours of skill practice.

Exact classes vary from school to school, but the state board curriculum states all programs must cover the following subjects:

• State Board Laws, Rules, and Regulations
• Professional Image, Ethics, and Conduct
• General Sciences:
  • Infection Control, Prevention, and Safety Precautions
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Basic Chemistry and Electricity
• Business Skills:
  • Personal and Individual (Resume, Interviewing, Sales and Marketing, and Money Management)
  • Salon (Planning and Design, Management, and Marketing)
• Skin Science
• Skin Treatments and Services:
  • Facial Treatments
  • Facial Massage
  • Facial Machines
  • Hair Removal
  • Makeup
• Advanced Topics and Treatments

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Mississippi?  

No, you can't get an esthetician license in Mississippi via apprenticeship.

Mississippi Esthetician Licensing Requirements

Once you've completed at least 600 training hours in a state-approved program, you can register to take your exams. In Mississippi, every esthetics student must take (and pass) both a practical and a theory exam.

Practical Examination

The practical exam costs $195 and takes around 95 minutes to complete. On test day, you need to bring two current forms of signature-bearing identification, with at least one being a government-issued photo ID. You must also bring your approval letter from the state board, printed on stock paper with an embossed seal.

You need to bring many of your own supplies, which need to be labeled in English.

Once the exam begins, you must complete each task below, scoring 70 or above to pass. If you fail one skill, you're allowed to retake just that part of the exam. You must retake the entire exam if you fail more than one skill.

• Station Set Up and Prepare Client
• Skin Analysis
• Facial – Skin Cleansing
• Manipulations
• Masque Application, Masque Removal, and Moisturizer Application
• Hair Removal – Eyebrow Tweezing or Threading
• Hair Removal – Wax Eyebrow
• Hair Removal – Wax Entire Upper Lip
• Makeup Application – Daytime
• Sanitation

Theory Examination

The Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology pre-registers all candidates for the theory exam upon completion of their studies. Once eligible, you should receive an "Authorization to Test" email from the Board, allowing you to schedule your test.

On the day, you need to bring a valid, government-issued photo ID with a signature and a printed copy of your admission letter. Once you've completed the exam, you'll see your result immediately on the screen and receive a preliminary results letter.

Each student has three attempts to pass each exam within one year of completing their training program. After three attempts, you must undertake up to 60 additional training (brush up) hours before you can register to retake the exam again.

If you've passed both exams, you can pay the required $50 fee and apply for your license.

ADA Accommodations

The State Board complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It can provide reasonable and appropriate accommodation to individuals with disabilities who need it. These can include:

• Separate testing rooms
• Extra test time
• A reader or recorder for individuals with mobility or vision impairments

If you need extra accommodation, you must provide documentation of your disability and how you expect it to affect your test-taking ability under standard conditions.

Mississippi Esthetician License Reciprocity

If you've previously received your esthetics license in another state but want to work in Mississippi, you may be able to obtain a license via reciprocity. To apply for reciprocity, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Be able to read, write, and speak English.
• Complete an Application for Reciprocity and submit it to the state board.
• Provide proof of your current license from the state board that issued it.
• Attend an Application Eligibility Interview.
• Pay the required $55 fee.

Special reciprocity may be available for military members and their spouses. To be eligible for this, you must complete the steps above and prove you're serving in the military or are a military spouse.

License Renewal

All esthetics licenses in Mississippi must be renewed every two years. Standard licenses cost $50, and no continuing education (CE) is required.

But, if you wish to upgrade your license to that of a master esthetician (or have previously done so and wish to maintain your master status), you need to pay a $70 fee and complete either 16 hours of CE (if a new application), or eight hours (if renewing).

Contact the Mississippi State Board of Esthetics

Resources for Estheticians in Mississippi

Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology
This is the governing board responsible for issuing all esthetics, barbering, and cosmetology licenses and renewals in the state.

Mississippi Estheticians
This organization (run by the National Coalition of Estheticians Association) aims to support the defining standards of esthetics practice in the state through certification and continuing education.

Mississippi Esthetics Association
This association advocates for and furthers the interests of estheticians in the state through continuing education, advice, and more.