Arizona State Board of Cosmetology: Esthetician License Requirements

Arizona is a hot spot for the aging baby boomer generation, vacations, and resorts. People want to look good and feel good. This puts esthetician jobs in high demand here. There are several venues that require the work of a licensed esthetician in Arizona such as:

Spas
Salons
Resorts and hotels
Medical spas
Dermatology offices
Film and fashion industries

If you are considering a career as a licensed esthetician in the state of Arizona, then you’ll want to keep reading to find out more.

Esthetician License Requirements and Training Schools in Arizona

If you are considering a career as a licensed esthetician in the state of Arizona, you’ll first need to get your esthetician license from the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology by following the steps below.

Step 1: Complete a State Approved Esthetics Program

In order to enroll in a 600 or 650-hour diploma esthetics course in the state of Arizona, you must have a high school diploma, a transcript showing two years of high school credits, or your GED. You can choose to go to a school of cosmetology with a state-approved esthetics course or a stand-alone esthetics school approved by the state. Your esthetics education and training will generally include:

Skin analysis and consultation
Facial procedure and treatments
Skin histology and physiology
Sanitation and disinfection
Product Knowledge
Body and facial waxing
Waxing and perming
Lash perming
Manicures and pedicures
Makeup design
Eyelash application
Lash and brow tinting
Micro-dermabrasion
European skin care techniques
Spa therapies such as galvanic current and light therapies
Detoxifying body wraps and treatments
Professionalism and retailing
Manual lymphatic drainage
Glycolic and Salicylic chemical peels
Introduction to the clinical aspect of esthetics
Licensure preparation
Business fundamentals and career preparation

Although an apprenticeship is allowed as an alternate pathway to licensure for some states, currently, the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology does not offer an apprenticeship program for licensure.

Let Esthetician Schooling Connect You With a High Quality Esthetician School in Your Area!

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State Board Recognition
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Student Financial Aid
Job Placement Assistance for Those Who Qualify

To get started, simply fill out the quick 1-minute application below.

Step 2: Complete and Submit the Esthetician Application for Examination

After you have completed the required 600 hours of esthetics education, you will need to apply for licensure with the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology.

Before you can take your written and practical exams, you must first register with Professional Credential Services (PCS). In order to apply for the test, you must register for the exam by creating an account on their website here.

After you have been approved by the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology to take both exams, Professional Credential Services will send you two emails. One email will instruct you to register with PSI Services in order to take the written exam, and the other email will contain your confirmation date for the practical exam.

As stated above, the written exam is provided by PSI Services, and is currently administered at PSI testing centers located in the following cities:

Flagstaff
Phoenix
Scottsdale
Tucson
Yuma

Once you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from Professional Credential Services, it is your responsibility to contact PSI and set up an appointment to take the written exam. You can register for examination by going here and doing the following:

Select “Government/State Licensing Agencies” from the Select Organization drop-down menu.
Select “Arizona” from the Jurisdiction drop down menu.
Select “AZ Cosmetology” from the Select Account drop down menu.
Click the “AZ Esthetician Theory Examination – English” link in the Classification menu.
After the webpage loads, click the “Sign In or Create an Account” button and either sign in or create a new account.

You also have the option of scheduling your exam over the phone by calling a PSI representative toll-free at 1-800-733-9267 (Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM EST and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST).

You can also schedule your written exam using PSI’s Interactive Voice Response System during non business hours at 1-800-733-
9267.

If you must reschedule your written exam, you can do so without forfeiting your fee by contacting PSI at least 2 business days prior to your scheduled exam date by calling 1-800-733-9267 and using the automated system.

Once the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology approves your application for examination, your practical exam will automatically be scheduled for the first available practical examination date. The practical exams are administered every Monday, except on holidays.

You must be prepared to take the first available practical examination. PCS will notify you by email of the date, time, and location of your practical exam, 10 days before the actual exam date.

Anyone that is unable to take their practical exam on the date that they are assigned will be charged a rescheduling fee. The only persons that will be exempt from having to pay a rescheduling fee are those persons who must be hospitalized on the day of the exam or anyone who is involved in a traffic accident on the way to the exam location on the day of the exam.

The total cost for both exams is $177, which covers the $100 fee for the written exam and the $77 fee for the practical exam. The cost is the same for both exams if you must retake them.

Step 3: Take and Pass the Written and Practical Esthetician Examinations

Preparing for the Written and Practical Exams

The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) recommends the following reference materials to help you prepare for and pass the written (theory) and practical esthetics exams, which can be purchased at discounted prices on Amazon:

Milady Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals (2013, 11th Edition)
Salon Fundamentals: Esthetics Textbook (2007, 11th printing, 2nd Edition, August 2013)

We also recommend that you purchase and study the following books in preparation for your exams:

Salon Fundamentals Esthetics Licensure Exam Prep Book (Spiral-bound – 2007)
Modern Esthetics: A Scientific Source for Estheticians (Milady)

What to Bring to the Exam

You will need to ensure you bring the following items to your exams:

If taking the practical exam, bring your admission notice.
If taking the written exam, bring your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter.
A 2”x 2” passport type color photo (no selfies will be accepted).
Two forms of identification; one must be government issued, the other may be a credit card, birth certificate, or social security card.
Examinations supplies for the practical exam.

If you do not bring these items with you, you will need to reschedule your exams and a rescheduling fee will apply. You must arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled exam. You must also wear professional attire along with a lab coat. Aprons are not permitted.

The Written Esthetics Exam

The written exam will consist of 55 percent scientific concept questions and 45 percent skin care and services questions.

The esthetics written exam will include topics such as:

Microbiology
Infection control
Skin functions
Factors that impact the skin
Contraindications for services
Chemistry

Be sure to download and read the Candidate Bulletin for the written exam so you’ll know exactly what you need to bring to the exam and other important details.

The Practical Esthetics Exam

You will need to bring your own mannequin as well as an esthetics practical test kit to the exam. A complete list of what you need to bring can be found on page 32 of the candidate handbook.

The practical exam portion covers 11 different sections

Work Area and Client Preparation, and Set Up of Universal Supplies (First client)
Cleansing of the Face with Product
Exfoliating the Face with Product, Using Facial Brush, Including Towel Steaming
Massaging the Face with Product
Work Area and New Client Preparation, and Set Up of Supplies (Second client)
Hair Removal of the Eyebrows by Tweezing and Using Simulated Soft Wax
Particle Microdermabrasion on the Forehead
Facial Mask and Conclusion of Facial Service
Facial Makeup
Eyelash Enhancement
Blood Exposure Procedure

To help ensure that you pass the practical exam, practice with your mannequin or on others. It may also help to study and review your course materials as well as take practice exams with other people from your class.

After you have completed the written and practical esthetics examinations, PCS will email your scores within 10 days. In order to receive your Arizona esthetician license, you must have a minimum score of 75 on both of the exams.

Once you have completed all licensing requirements, including passing both exams, PCS will notify the state of Arizona that you are then eligible to receive your esthetician license.

Step 4: Renew Your AZ Esthetician License Every Two Years

Your Arizona esthetician license will need to be renewed every two years by your birthday. The renewal fee is $60 which can be submitted with your renewal application.

While Arizona does not require continuing education credits for renewal of your esthetician license, keeping up with advances in your field and gaining more education can be a great way to give yourself a professional edge. Belonging to professional associations can also help you keep up to date with changes in the esthetics field.

Esthetician License Reciprocity in Arizona

If you are licensed in another state and want to practice in Arizona, you may obtain licensure without having to take the exam again. In order to do this, you will need to submit a fee of $110 and a reciprocity application.

You will also be required to submit documentation of your education and license from your home state.

Arizona State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

Arizona State Board of Cosmetology
1721 E. Broadway Road
Tempe, AZ 85282-1611
Phone: 480-784-4539
Fax: 480-784-4962

Arizona Written Exam Locations

Below is a map showing the locations of the written exams administered by PSI Services LLC. Before you arrive at a PSI test center, please be sure to call PSI Services toll-free at 1-800-733-9267 to confirm the test center’s current address and inquire about their hours of operation.

Map of Written Exam Locations in Arizona

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