Esthetician Schools in New Jersey

Attending esthetician school in New Jersey may be a smart choice to jump-start a career, and the number of esthetician jobs is growing rapidly.

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

Browse All Esthetician Schools in New Jersey

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301 Gibraltar Drive Suite 1A
Morris Plains, NJ 7950

(973) 656-1401
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Teacher Training
Cutting Edge Academy – Accredited

45 Sunset Strip and Route 10 East
Succasunna, NJ 7876

(862) 251-7290
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

8200 Town Center Boulevard
Voorhees, NJ 8043

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Nail Technology

121 Watchung Avenue
North Plainfield, NJ 7060

(908) 754-4247
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

1458 Route 35 South
Ocean Township, NJ 7712

(732) 695-6800
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

312 State Street
Perth Amboy, NJ 8861

(732) 442-6007
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

70 East Holly Avenue
Pitman, NJ 8071

(856) 553-6079
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

5518 Bergenline Avenue
West New York, NJ 7093

(201) 866-4000
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

4741 U.S. Highway 9
Howell, NJ 7731

(732) 845-6289
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Nail Technology, Teacher Training
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Find Cosmetology Schools Near You

Bella Cosmetology Institute - Palisades Park

532 10th Street
Palisades Park, NJ 7650

Bella Cosmetology Institute - Pallsades Park – Accredited

532 10th Street
Pallsades Park, NJ 7650

Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics and Cosmetology – Accredited

285 Changebridge Road
Pine Brook, NJ 7058

Cosmo Beauty Academy - Saddle Brook – Accredited

431 North Midland Avenue
Saddle Brook, NJ 7663

Fortis Institute - Wayne

201 Willowbrook Boulevard
Wayne, NJ 07470

Golden Shear Academy Of Cosmetology

1149 East Jersey Street
Elizabeth, NJ 7201

Innovate Salon Academy – Accredited

712 NJ - 70 Route 70
Brick Township, NJ 8723

Innovate Salon Academy - Ewing Township – Accredited

25 Scotch Road
Ewing Township, NJ 8628

Innovate Salon Academy - South Plainfield – Accredited

4985 Stelton Road
South Plainfield, NJ 7080

P B Cosmetology Education Center

110 Monmouth Street
Gloucester City, NJ 8030

Parisian Beauty School – Accredited

21 Passaic Street
Hackensack, NJ 7601

Raritan Valley Community College

118 Lamington Road
Branchburg, NJ 08876

Shore Beauty School – Accredited

3003 English Creek Avenue
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 8234

Total Image Beauty Academy – Accredited

3900 Bergenline Avenue 2nd Floor
Union City, NJ 7087
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.

How to Become a Esthetician in New Jersey

New Jersey Esthetician Careers At a Glance
  • 600 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average for estheticians in New Jersey is $39,760.
  • There is a predicted 17% job increase between 2018 - 2028 for estheticians.

Estheticians (called "skin care specialists" by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling) must be licensed to practice in the state. Unlike cosmetologists, estheticians focus entirely on skin care. They analyze clients’ skin conditions, provide cleansing or moisturizing treatments, treat skin conditions, remove unwanted hair, apply makeup, and teach clients how to care for their skin at home.

To qualify for a skin care specialist license, you must:

  • Be at least 17 years old
  • Demonstrate proof that you have completed high school or its equivalent
  • Successfully complete 600 hours of esthetics instruction from an approved school, either in New Jersey or another location (if approved by the board of cosmetology)
  • Complete and pass an exam, which combines theoretical and practical knowledge of skin care

New Jersey Esthetics Careers

$39,760

Average yearly salary for esthetics in New Jersey

The average salary for skin care specialists in New Jersey in 2020 was $39,760 annually, or $19.11 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is a bit less than average wages in the U.S. for skin care specialists, which come in at $41,700 per year and $20.05 per hour.

Skin care specialist jobs in New Jersey are projected to increase by 17% between 2018 and 2028.

The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in New Jersey are:

Metro Area 2021 Median Annual Salary
Trenton, NJ $36,090
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $35,220
Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ $30,930
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA $30,440

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in New Jersey

600 Education Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

According to the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the skin care specialty license authorizes you to clean, massage, stimulate, remove hair from, or apply cosmetic products to the face and neck, as well as other areas such as the upper chest, scalp, extremities, or abdomen. The license enables you to perform these tasks by hand or mechanical or electrical appliances, but not electrolysis. Additionally, skin care specialists may not cut hair, perform massages, or offer nail treatments.

To obtain a skin care specialty license, you must complete 600 hours of specialized training through an approved esthetics or skin care program in New Jersey or another institution approved by the state. Programs generally include classroom training and practical (hands-on) training on real clients or mannequins. Typical courses cover such topics as:

  • Anatomy/physiology
  • Safety and sanitation
  • Ingredient analysis
  • Facials, cleansing, toning, and massaging
  • Hair removal/waxing
  • Marketing and salon management

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in New Jersey?

No, New Jersey does not offer an apprenticeship path to licensure.

New Jersey Esthetician Licensing Requirements

After you complete your 600 hours of formal training to become an esthetician, it’s time to apply to sit for your examination for licensure. On the application, you must demonstrate proof of age and indicate where you received your training and graduated. The application must include a $50 non-refundable filing fee and a $90 licensing fee during the first year of the licensing period ($45 for the second year).

Once you’ve scheduled your exam, you will be issued a temporary permit so that you can begin working as an esthetician until you complete the exam; the temporary permit is good for 120 days and expires as soon as you have your official license.

The exam consists of both written and practical components. It is administered in English, though applicants may take the test in Spanish or with a translator. You may also have the option to take a computer-based test administered by a board-approved third-party vendor (with an additional fee) instead of the written portion.

You must earn at least a 75 on the theory portion of the test before you can complete the practical test, which is evaluated on a pass/fail basis. If you fail either portion (or fail to show up for your exam), you may reschedule another exam if you submit a written request to the board. You can only take the exam twice without paying an additional fee.

New Jersey Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

If you possess a skin care specialist license in another state or country, you may be able to receive a New Jersey license without taking an exam if the location that issued your license has similar training criteria. On-the-job experience of three years or more also may allow you to bypass the exam requirement.

If you served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you might be able to apply for a license with a portion of the required esthetician training. You must pass an exam and demonstrate that you received adequate training, education, or experience during military service and that the combination is roughly equivalent to what’s typically required for skin care specialists.

Esthetician Specialties in New Jersey

New Jersey has demonstrated its commitment to humane cosmetics products by banning animal testing in 2021. This paves the way for skin care specialists to focus on natural, organic, environmentally friendly products and services. In fact, more than 75 salons in the New York-New Jersey area partner with Green Circle, which helps salons observe more green practices.

Other niche services that estheticians in New Jersey may want to offer include waxing, facials for certain populations such as pregnant women and teens, body wraps or scrubs, special event or stage makeup, permanent makeup, or spray-tan applications.

You can also pursue other New Jersey professional beauty licenses, such as cosmetologist-hairstylist, manicurist, or teacher of cosmetology and hairstyling.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

You must renew your license every two years. Continuing education credits are not required to maintain licenses. You’ll receive renewal notification from the state board of cosmetology at least 60 days before your license expires.

To renew, you need to submit a renewal application, along with the required $90 licensing fee, prior to the expiration date. Licensees are given a 30-day grace period after their expiration to submit the renewal application, though you’ll need to submit a late fee of $30 as well.

Contact the New Jersey State Board of Esthetics

New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling

The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology can help you with updating your name or change of address information, acquiring out-of-state licensing, renewal and other useful forms, as well as answer other questions about obtaining a New Jersey cosmetology license.

New Jersey Salon, Spa, and School Alliance is an advocacy group. As part of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, they helps salon and spa owners and beauty schools operate safely, legally, and effectively.

Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Esthetics/Skin Care
New Jersey

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