Esthetician / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island Esthetician License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Specializes in skin care including facials and waxing.

What the Rhode Island data shows for Estheticians

Rhode Island's path to esthetician licensure runs through 810 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on State Esthetics Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 16 can be licensed. Rhode Island folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Esthetics School".

Budget $129 to get started, plus $62 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Rhode Island, 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 · Rhode Island

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
810 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$129
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$31/yr
$62 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 Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Esthetics School
810 hours
Exam Requirement
State Esthetics Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$129
Renewal Fee
$62
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 Rhode Island licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Rhode Island licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Esthetician in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island's requirements cover 810 hours of education or training, the State Esthetics Exam exam, and an initial fee of $129. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Esthetician in Rhode Island? ▼
To become a licensed esthetician in Rhode Island, you must meet the state's requirements including 810 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Rhode Island licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Esthetician license to Rhode Island from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for estheticians: Varies by state — check with state board. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Rhode Island licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Esthetician licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the esthetician licensing process in Rhode Island. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

Related Guides

What to do with this esthetician license

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

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

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