Esthetician / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee 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 Tennessee data shows for Estheticians

To practice as an esthetician in Tennessee, the state licensing board requires 540 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Esthetics Exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. The regulation sits under Tennessee's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Esthetics School".

The initial price tag is $78, and renewal costs $44 every 2 years. Tennessee doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
77/100
Esthetician · Tennessee

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
540 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B
$78
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$22/yr
$44 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 Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Esthetics School
540 hours
Exam Requirement
State Esthetics Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$78
Renewal Fee
$44
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 Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Esthetician in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee requires 540 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Esthetics Exam), and an initial fee of $78. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Esthetician in Tennessee? ▼
To become a licensed esthetician in Tennessee, you must meet the state's requirements including 540 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Esthetician license to Tennessee 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 Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Esthetician licensing? ▼
Yes, Tennessee 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 Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an esthetician-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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