How to Become a Licensed Esthetician in Rhode Island

If you are considering a career as a licensed esthetician in the state of Rhode Island, you’ll want to follow our step-by-step guide below!

Esthetician License Requirements and Training Schools in Rhode Island

Step 1: Complete a State Approved Esthetics Program

Your esthetics education and training will include areas such as:

• Body wraps
• Facials
• Waxing and threading
• Make-up applications and color theory
• Safety guidelines and infection control procedures
• Skin care products and chemistry

Through your schooling, you will learn esthetics theory and gain valuable hands-on experience in various esthetic services designed to help clients look and feel their best.

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

Are you ready to take the next step and begin your career as a well-paid esthetician? Esthetician Schooling has partnered with some of the best esthetician schools in the nation.  Our huge network of nationally recognized esthetician schools will make it easy for you to find the right school and get started training immediately!

The beauty schools in our network contain one or more of the following high quality standards:

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

Step 2: Complete and Submit the Esthetician Application for Examination

To apply for the exams and for your esthetician license you will need to:

• Complete and sign the Application for License as an Esthetician
• Attach a recent passport-style photograph
• Attach a copy of your high school diploma or your GED
• Have your official transcript sent directly from your esthetician school
• Attach either your original birth certificate or a notarized true copy of your original birth certificate
• Attach payment for the $25 application fee (check or money order only) made payable to “RI General Treasurer”

Mail your completed and signed the application, attached documentation (place your documents in the order listed on page 9 of the application) and, attached fee payment to:

Rhode Island Department of Health
Board of Hairdressing & Barbering
Room 104
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908-5097

Remember, your esthetics education institution must submit your official transcripts showing successful completion of the program directly to the address above. You may not mail your own transcript.

Your written exam can only be scheduled after all of your training hours have been completed. The Board has contracted with PSI Services to administer the National Interstate Council (NIC) written exam. Follow the instructions below to schedule your written exam and pay the $75 exam fee.

Registering and Scheduling the Written Exam

It is your responsibility to contact PSI and set up an appointment to take the written exam. You can register for your written examination by going here and doing the following:

1. Select “Government/State Licensing Agencies” from the Select Organization drop-down menu.
2. Select “Rhode Island” from the Jurisdiction drop down menu (you may have to scroll down the menu).
3. Select “Rhode Island Cosmetology” from the Select Classification drop down menu.
4. Click the “RI Esthetician Theory Examination – English” link in the License Name menu (or Korean, Spanish or Vietnamese).
5. 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.

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

The written esthetics exam for the state of Rhode Island is administered at PSI test centers in:

• Cranston, RI
• Milford, CT
• West Hartford, CT
• Auburn, MA
• Boston, MA
• Fall River, MA
• Lawrence, MA
• West Springfield, MA

Refer to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for more details.

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 one form of identification listed on page 3 of the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

The Written Esthetics Exam

For the NIC written (theory) exam, you are allowed 90 minutes to complete the exam. You will need to score a 70% or better to pass.

The written exam outline is as follows:

Scientific Concepts 60%

• Sanitation and Infection Control

1. Microbiology
2. Levels of infection control
3. Methods of infection control
4. Safety procedures
5. Cells
6. Tissues
7. Organs
8. Systems and their functions
9. Structure and function of the layers of the skin
10. Glands
11. Functions of the skin

• Disorders of the Sebaceous and Sudoriferous Glands
• Skin Conditions, Disorders, and Diseases

1. Inflammation and rashes
2. Pigmentation
3. Skin growths and lesions

• Hair, Follicle, and its Growth Cycle
• Basic Chemistry

1. Acidity/Alkalinity (pH)
2. Organic and inorganic

• Skin Care Products

1. Ingredients
2. Composition
3. Intrinsic factors
4. Extrinsic factors

Esthetics Practices 40%

• Skin Analysis and Implementation

1. Client consultation
2. Draping
3. Skin analysis
4. Treatment protocol and contraindications
5. Documentation

• Product Application and Removal Procedures
• Cleansing Procedures
• Steaming Procedures
• Exfoliation Procedures
• Extraction Procedures
• Massage Manipulations and Their Effects

1. Effleurage
2. Petrissage
3. Friction
4. Tapotement
5. Vibration
6. Dr. Jacquet

• Appropriate Use for Masks
• Electricity and Use of Electrical Devices
• Hair Removal Procedures
• Color Theory and Makeup Application
• General Knowledge of Specialized Services

1. Face and body treatments
2. Terminology related to cosmetic procedures

Practice questions and references can be found in the NIC Candidate Information Bulletin.

The Practical Esthetics Exam

The NIC practical exam is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills and procedural knowledge in order to attain your esthetician license. The Rhode Island Department of Health proctors the practical exam.

You will need to bring a supply kit in order to take this exam, along with the same type of identification required to enter the written exam. A list of suggested supplies for your kit can be found on pages 14-16 in the NIC Candidate Information Bulletin for the practical exam.

This exam should take you approximately 2 hours to complete. To pass the exam and qualify for licensure, you will need to attain a score of 70% or better.

The practical exam portion covers these core domain services:

1. Setup and Client Protection
2. Cleansing and Steaming the Face
3. Massaging the Face
4. Manual Extraction on the Forehead
5. Hair Removal of the Eyebrows
6. Facial Mask
7. Facial Makeup

You will be given your pass/fail examination results immediately after you finish taking the exams.

Step 4: Renew Your RI Esthetician License Every Two Years

About 60 days prior to the expiration date of your license, you will receive a reminder from the Rhode Island Department of Health. You will need to log onto their website and renew your license online. There is a $50 renewal fee and your renewal must be done prior to September 30th of your renewal year.

Esthetician License Reciprocity in Rhode Island

To apply for your esthetician license via endorsement you will need to:

• Complete and sign the Application for License as an Esthetician
• Attach a recent passport-style photograph
• Attach a copy of your high school diploma or your GED
• Have your official transcript sent directly from your esthetician school
• Attach either your original birth certificate or a notarized true copy of your original birth certificate
• Attach payment for the $25 application fee (check or money order only) made payable to “RI General Treasurer”
• Have your license verification sent directly from the Board from each state in which you have ever been licensed as an esthetician, including the state of original licensure. Verification must show proof that you have successfully completed a written and practical esthetics examination

Mail your completed and signed application, attached documentation (place your documents in the order listed on page 9 of the application) and, attached fee payment to:

Rhode Island Department of Health
Board of Hairdressing & Barbering
Room 104
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908-5097

Remember, your esthetics education institution must submit your official transcripts showing successful completion of the program directly to the address above. You are not allowed to mail your own transcript.

Remember also that your license verification must be sent directly from the Board from each state in which you have ever been licensed as an esthetician, including the state of original licensure. You are not allowed to send the verification yourself. Verification must show proof that you have successfully completed a written and practical esthetics examination

Rhode Island State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

Rhode Island Written Exam Location

Please note that the Rhode Island written esthetics exam is also administered at PSI test centers located in:

• Milford, CT
• West Hartford, CT
• Auburn, MA
• Boston, MA
• Fall River, MA
• Lawrence, MA
• West Springfield, MA

Refer to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for more details.

Map Showing the Written Exam Location in Rhode Island

The map ID you have entered does not exist. Please enter a map ID that exists.

Back to Top