Esthetician Schools in New Mexico

New Mexico could be a great place to begin an esthetics career, as the number of jobs is growing by leaps and bounds.

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

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Vogue College of Cosmetology – Accredited

2434 Cerillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505

(866) 227-3779

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Programs:

Cosmetology, Esthetics

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Adorabella Beauty Academy – Accredited

800 Juan Tabo Boulevard Northeast Suite I
Albuquerque, NM 87123

Aveda Institute New Mexico – Accredited

1816 Central Avenue Southwest
Albuquerque, NM 87104

Clovis Community College

417 Schepps Boulevard
Clovis, NM 88101

Glitz School of Cosmetology – Accredited

2460 Missouri Avenue
Las Cruces, NM 88001

Olympian Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited

6300 San Mateo Boulevard Suite J
Albuquerque, NM 87109

The Avenue Academy – Accredited

1512 Eubank Boulevard Northeast
Albuquerque, NM 87112

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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.

Related Beauty Careers

Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:

• Cosmetology in New Mexico
• Makeup Artistry in New Mexico
• Massage Therapy in New Mexico
• Nail Technology in New Mexico

Esthetician Schools Near Me

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

• Albuquerque / Santa Fe

How to Become a Esthetician in New Mexico

To become an esthetician in New Mexico, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Completed 10^th grade or the equivalent.
• Pass the state laws exam as well as the theory and practical exams.
• Complete 600 hours of esthetics training.
• Submit a licensure application and pay the $10 fee.
• Pay the $100 license fee.

Many felony convictions may disqualify an applicant from receiving your license. These include:

• Child abuse or neglect
• Fraud, forgery, embezzlement, credit card fraud, or receiving stolen property
• Homicide or manslaughter
• Kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, or aggravated battery
• Rape, criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual contact, incest, indecent exposure, or other related felony sexual offenses
• An attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy involving any of the felonies above

Can I Get a Dual License in an Esthetics Area in New Mexico?

New Mexico offers a manicurist/esthetician license. This would let you offer more services to clients after a total of 900 training hours.

Estheticians in New Mexico can also specialize in medical esthetics. Medical estheticians often work in medical facilities helping patients with skin ailments. They may earn a higher salary due to having more specialized training.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in New Mexico

Estheticians in New Mexico make, on average, $48,170 annually or $23.16 per hour. As of 2022, the top 10% of estheticians in New Mexico earned $76,640 or more. Location, specialties, services offered, and years of experience can affect income. The highest-paying metro area for estheticians in New Mexico is Albuquerque. There, the median annual pay is $45,780.

The job outlook for estheticians in New Mexico is bright. The state's number of skincare specialist jobs is expected to grow by 38% from 2020-2030!

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in New Mexico

Before taking New Mexico licensure tests, you need to finish 600 hours of esthetics training. A state-approved esthetics curriculum must include the following:

Theory: 75 hours

• Chemistry
• Electricity
• Ethics
• First aid
• Job seeking
• Limited to orientation
• Professional image
• State laws and regulations

Sterilization, Sanitation, Bacteriology: 75 hours

• Bacterial growth
• Chemical agents
• Infection control and safety standards
• Infections
• Methods of sanitation and sterilization
• Preparation, procedures and practice
• Products, materials, and implements
• Public sanitation
• Related theory and safety
• Types and classifications of bacteria

Facials: 350 hours

• Anatomy
• Artificial eyelashes
• Client consultation and recommendations
• Client record keeping and safety
• Eyelash and brow tinting
• Facial treatments and makeup application
• Light therapy
• Physiology
• Preparation, procedures, and practice
• Products, materials and implements
• Related theory
• Removal of unwanted hair
• Theory of massage
• Use of electrical appliances, currents, and specialized machines for treatments

Salon business, retail sales: 50 hours

• Opening a salon and business plan
• Regulations and laws
• Related theory
• Salon operation, policies, practices, personnel, compensation, payroll deductions
• Salon safety
• Use of telephone, advertising, retail and salesmanship, client communications, public relations, insurance
• Written agreements

Required hands-on training:

• 10 makeup procedures
• 25 machine facial procedures
• 25 waxing procedures
• 50 basic facial procedures

Miscellaneous: 50 hours

• To be applied by the Instructor to strengthen student performance in curriculum-related areas or;
• For supervised field trips and other course-related training

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in New Mexico?

New Mexico doesn't offer esthetician apprenticeships. Instead, you must attend an esthetician school or program to become licensed.

New Mexico Esthetician Licensing Requirements

You have to pass New Mexico's law, theory, and practical tests to get your esthetician license. The theory and practical exams are in Spanish, Vietnamese, and English.

The theory exam covers the following:

Scientific concepts: 55%

• Chemistry
• Function and composition of the hair
• Histology and physiology of the skin
• Human physiology and anatomy
• Infection control
• Microbiology
• Safety procedures and guidelines
• Skin disorders and diseases

Skin care and services: 45%

• Cleansing procedures
• Client consultation and documentation
• Client protection
• Conclusion of facial services
• Contraindications for skin services
• Exfoliation procedures
• Extraction
• Function and application of masks
• Makeup
• Massage movements
• Skin analysis
• Steaming procedures
• Treatment protocol
• Use of electrical equipment
• Other esthetics and wellness services

The practical exam covers the following:

• Work area preparation and setup of supplies (First client): 10 minutes
• Client preparation and basic facial: 25 minutes
• Work area preparation for the new client and set up of supplies (second client): 10 minutes
• New client prep and brow hair removal with simulated soft wax and tweezing: 5-minute setup, untimed procedure
• Facial makeup: 20 minutes
• Blood exposure procedure: 10 minutes
• Particle microdermabrasion on the forehead: 10 minutes
• Eyelash Enhancement: 10 minutes
• Hair removal of the upper lip using hard wax: 10 minutes

The theory exam costs $130, and the practical exam costs $73.

If you need Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, turn in a request form and documentation. The form is on the testing center Professional Credential Services' website.

New Mexico Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity  

Estheticians with licenses from another state can transfer to New Mexico through reciprocity.

To receive reciprocity, applicants must:

• Provide an affidavit verifying their current license and good standing
• Provide a transcript or affidavit with the number of training hours completed
• Submit a reciprocity application
• Pay the $150 reciprocity fee
• Pass a state law exam

If your training hours don't meet New Mexico's requirements, you may still be in luck. You could be able to substitute some experience or apprenticeship hours for training. Six months of work experience equals 150 hours of training. However these hours can't exceed 50 percent of the required training hours in New Mexico.

Military members and veterans don't have to pay an esthetics license fee for three years.

License Renewal

You need to renew your New Mexico esthetician license every two years. Each time, you need to file an application and pay $100.

New Mexico has a list of continuing education programs, though hours aren't required. Continuing education classes are always recommended, however, to help you stay up to date.

Contact the New Mexico State Board of Esthetics

Resources for Estheticians in New Mexico  

New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Agency regulating the beauty industry in the state

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

New Mexico's Barbers, Cosmetologists, Estheticians & Nail Techs
A Facebook group for beauty professionals in New Mexico to connect and share advice