Esthetician / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana Esthetician License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Specializes in skin care including facials and waxing.

What the Montana data shows for Estheticians

Montana sets the entry bar for estheticians at 820 training hours and a passing score on State Esthetics Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 16 or older. The credential is administered under Montana's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Esthetics School".

The initial price tag is $131, and renewal costs $63 every 2 years. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Montana, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

On reciprocity, estheticians should know: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
67/100
Esthetician · Montana

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 D
820 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$131
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$32/yr
$63 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 Montana

Education / Training Hours
Esthetics School
820 hours
Exam Requirement
State Esthetics Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$131
Renewal Fee
$63
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 Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Esthetician in Montana? ▼
In Montana, the license path calls for 820 education/training hours, a passing score on State Esthetics Exam, and a $131 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Esthetician in Montana? ▼
Certification as an esthetician in Montana means clearing the state's checklist: 820 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Montana licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Esthetician license to Montana from another state? ▼
For estheticians, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Montana licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Montana require a background check for Esthetician licensing? ▼
Montana does require a background check before issuing an esthetician license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this esthetician license

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

  • See how Montana'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 Montana's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Montana overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Montana 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.