Esthetician / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Esthetician License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Specializes in skin care including facials and waxing.

What the Massachusetts data shows for Estheticians

Becoming a licensed esthetician in Massachusetts means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 730 training hours, a passing score on State Esthetics Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 16. Massachusetts regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Esthetics School".

Upfront cost is $114, with renewal running $57 on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Massachusetts, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

For estheticians, the reciprocity picture is: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
69/100
Esthetician · Massachusetts

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training C-
730 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$114
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$29/yr
$57 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Esthetics School
730 hours
Exam Requirement
State Esthetics Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$114
Renewal Fee
$57
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Esthetician All Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Esthetician in Massachusetts? ▼
In Massachusetts, the license path calls for 730 education/training hours, a passing score on State Esthetics Exam, and a $114 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Esthetician in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts licenses estheticians who complete its requirements (730 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Can I transfer my Esthetician license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
Esthetician licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Varies by state — check with state board. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Massachusetts licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Esthetician licensing? ▼
Yes, Massachusetts requires a criminal background check as part of the esthetician licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this esthetician license

Esthetician in Massachusetts, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an esthetician-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Massachusetts's esthetician requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Esthetician in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state esthetician license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Massachusetts's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Massachusetts overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Massachusetts licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.