How to Become an Esthetician in Utah: 2026 Guide

Last reviewed: August 2026

If you’re researching how to become an esthetician in Utah, you may be finding conflicting information online—especially references to a former 600-hour esthetics program.

That is because Utah’s esthetics licensing structure changed beginning January 1, 2026.

For most new students beginning esthetics education today, the current school-based pathway is Master Esthetics, which requires a minimum of 1,200 hours of training under Utah law.

At Renaissance Academie in Provo, Utah, new esthetics students can pursue a 1,200-hour Master Esthetics program designed to provide foundational and advanced skincare education while preparing students for applicable Utah licensing requirements.

Here is what the process looks like today.

Step 1: Understand Utah’s Current Esthetics Licensing Path

Before choosing a school, it is important to understand what changed in Utah.

Prior to 2026, Utah offered a separate 600-hour esthetics pathway commonly referred to as Basic Esthetics.

Beginning January 1, 2026, Utah generally stopped issuing new licenses under that former pathway except for qualifying students and apprentices who had already begun training before the transition date.

For new students entering esthetics education now, Master Esthetics is the current comprehensive esthetics pathway offered by Renaissance Academie.

Utah’s school-based Master Esthetics pathway requires 1,200 hours of instruction.

If you began an esthetics program or apprenticeship before January 1, 2026, your situation may be different. Review current requirements with your school and the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) to determine which transition provisions apply to you.

Step 2: Choose a Licensed Esthetics School

Your next step is choosing where to complete your education.

When comparing esthetics schools in Utah, consider more than simply program length.

Ask about:

• State licensing preparation
• Hands-on training
• Supervised client experience
• Instructor support
• Program schedules
• Distance-education options
• Campus facilities
• Curriculum
• Student outcomes
• Tuition and program costs
• Financial Aid eligibility
• Career and business preparation

Renaissance Academie is located in Provo, Utah and offers a 1,200-hour Master Esthetics program with classroom education, designated distance education, practical training, and supervised client experience.

A campus tour is one of the best ways to compare schools because you can see where students actually learn, practice, and work with clients.

Step 3: Complete 1,200 Hours of Master Esthetics Training

Utah’s current school-based Master Esthetics pathway requires a minimum of 1,200 hours of instruction.

RACE’s Master Esthetics program meets that 1,200-hour program length.

Students build their knowledge progressively throughout the program, moving from foundational concepts into advanced skincare education and hands-on application.

Training may include areas such as:

• Skin anatomy and physiology
• Skin analysis
• Client consultation
• Professional facial treatments
• Hair removal
• Infection control and safety
• Advanced exfoliation
• Chemical exfoliation and peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Dermaplaning
• Advanced skincare equipment and modalities
• Body treatments
• Lash and brow services
• Cosmetic medical-device concepts and procedures where permitted
• Laser and light-based procedures subject to applicable Utah requirements
• Product knowledge
• Business and career development
• State licensing preparation

Students also have opportunities to gain supervised hands-on experience with clients in RACE’s student spa.

Step 4: Choose a Schedule You Can Attend Consistently

The Master Esthetics program is 1,200 hours regardless of which approved schedule you select.

What changes is how many hours you complete each week.

RACE offers multiple schedule options to help students balance beauty school with work, family, and other responsibilities.

Current estimated completion ranges may vary based on weekly scheduled hours, attendance, and completion of all program requirements.

When comparing schedules, consider:

• How many hours you can realistically attend each week
• Work responsibilities
• Family or childcare commitments
• Transportation
• Time available for distance-education coursework
• Your preferred graduation timeline

Choosing the fastest schedule is not always the best choice.

A schedule you can attend consistently can make it easier to remain on track throughout your program.

Step 5: Complete Hands-On and Client Training

Esthetics is a hands-on profession.

Online coursework can be useful for theory and designated educational content, but students also need practical experience developing professional techniques.

During Master Esthetics school, students progress through practical training before performing applicable services on clients under appropriate supervision.

Hands-on education helps students develop skills such as:

• Client consultation
• Treatment setup
• Sanitation and infection-control procedures
• Skin analysis
• Professional treatment techniques
• Equipment use
• Timing
• Client comfort and communication
• Post-treatment recommendations
• Professional conduct

Working with clients while still in school can help bridge the gap between learning a technique and confidently performing it in a professional environment.

Step 6: Prepare for Utah Licensing Requirements

Completing school is an important milestone, but graduation and professional licensure are separate steps.

Utah requires applicants to satisfy the applicable education and practical/service requirements and complete the licensing requirements established by DOPL.

Examination requirements and testing procedures can change, so students should use the current DOPL examination information when preparing to license rather than relying on older blogs or testing instructions.

RACE incorporates licensing preparation throughout the program so students can continue building their theory knowledge and practical confidence as graduation approaches.

Step 7: Complete the Required Licensing Examinations

Utah requires examinations for Master Esthetics licensure as established by DOPL rule.

Testing may include theory and practical components.

The exact test provider, fees, procedures, test content, scheduling requirements, and candidate instructions can change over time.

For that reason, students preparing to test should review the current information provided by:

• Utah Division of Professional Licensing
• The current examination provider
• RACE educators and student-support staff

Avoid relying on an older article for specific testing fees or procedures because those details may change before you graduate.

Step 8: Apply for Your Utah Master Esthetics License

After completing the applicable education, service-count, and examination requirements, graduates can complete Utah’s licensing application process.

Utah’s general licensing requirements include submitting the required application, paying the applicable fee, providing documentation of required education and service counts, and satisfying the examination requirement established by DOPL.

Requirements, applications, and fees can change.

Graduates should always use the current Utah DOPL application instructions when applying rather than an older downloaded form.

Step 9: Begin Building Your Esthetics Career

Once you have completed school and obtained the license required for the services you plan to perform, you can begin exploring professional opportunities.

Master Esthetics graduates may pursue opportunities in environments such as:

• Day spas
• Advanced skincare spas
• Medical spas
• Resort or destination spas
• Skincare clinics
• Salons offering esthetics services
• Dermatology or plastic-surgery environments where appropriate
• Independent skincare businesses

Career opportunities depend on an individual’s license, scope of practice, employer requirements, additional training, experience, and the services being performed.

Beauty school is the beginning of professional development—not the end.

Building a successful career can also involve developing:

• Client relationships
• Communication skills
• Retail and product knowledge
• Rebooking habits
• Personal branding
• Social-media skills
• Professional networking
• Business knowledge
• Continuing technical education

What Can a Master Esthetician Do in Utah?

Utah’s Master Esthetics scope is broader than the former foundational esthetics pathway.

Under current Utah law, Master Esthetics includes services and procedures such as:

• Advanced skincare
• Chemical exfoliation
• Microdermabrasion
• Dermaplaning
• Advanced extraction
• Body wraps
• Hydrotherapy
• Manual hair removal
• Lash and brow technology
• Certain cosmetic medical-device procedures
• Other services permitted within the Master Esthetics scope

Some advanced services have additional supervision, training, or practice requirements under Utah law.

Students should understand that graduating from a program does not remove those requirements. A professional must always practice within the current scope of their license and follow any applicable Utah supervision or safety rules.

What Happened to Basic Esthetics in Utah?

If you see websites saying that becoming an esthetician in Utah requires 600 hours, you are probably reading information based on Utah’s former licensing structure.

Before 2026, Utah offered a 600-hour Basic Esthetics pathway.

That pathway changed beginning January 1, 2026.

Utah created transition provisions for certain students and apprentices who had already begun qualifying training before the change, but RACE does not currently enroll new students into its former 600-hour Basic Esthetics program.

Prospective students researching esthetics today should use current Master Esthetics information rather than older Basic Esthetics program descriptions.

For a more detailed explanation, read our guide to what changed with Basic Esthetics in Utah in 2026.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Master Esthetician in Utah?

The required RACE Master Esthetics program is 1,200 hours.

The number of calendar months it takes to complete those hours depends on your weekly schedule and attendance.

Students attending more hours per week generally progress faster than students choosing a lower-hour part-time schedule.

Additional time may also be needed after graduation to complete applicable licensing examinations and the state application process.

When planning your timeline, think of it as:

Education → Graduation → Licensing Requirements → License → Career

rather than assuming graduation automatically means you are licensed the same day.

Can You Complete Esthetics School Part-Time?

Yes.

RACE offers flexible scheduling options for students who need to balance school with other responsibilities.

Part-time attendance means the same 1,200-hour program is completed over a longer calendar period.

For many students, a manageable schedule they can attend consistently is preferable to choosing a higher weekly schedule that is difficult to maintain.

Can You Complete Esthetics School Online?

Master Esthetics cannot be completed entirely online at RACE.

RACE offers approved distance education for eligible portions of the program, but students must also complete substantial hands-on and practical education on campus.

Distance education is designed to add flexibility—not replace the practical experience needed to learn professional esthetics services.

The total program remains 1,200 hours.

Do You Need a High School Diploma to Attend RACE?

School admissions requirements and Utah professional licensing requirements are not necessarily the same thing.

Renaissance Academie has admissions requirements that students must meet before enrollment.

Prospective students should review RACE’s current School Catalog and Admissions requirements or speak directly with Admissions to determine which documentation applies to their situation.

This is especially important for students with alternative high-school completion, homeschool documentation, prior college education, or other circumstances that may require individual review.

What Should You Look for in an Esthetics School?

Choosing the right school can have a major impact on your educational experience.

Consider visiting schools and asking:

What does the campus look like?

You will spend a significant amount of time there.

How much hands-on experience will I receive?

Professional confidence comes from practicing—not simply reading about treatments.

How does the school prepare students for licensing?

Ask how theory preparation, practical testing, and graduation readiness are supported.

What schedules are available?

Make sure the program can realistically fit your life.

Are current program costs clearly disclosed?

Ask about tuition, kits, books, fees, and other required expenses.

What support is available if I fall behind?

Understanding advisement and academic support before enrolling can be valuable.

Can I speak with current students or graduates?

First-hand experiences can provide helpful perspective.

Why Consider Renaissance Academie for Master Esthetics?

Renaissance Academie offers Master Esthetics education at its campus in Provo, Utah.

RACE students receive a combination of:

• Foundational and advanced skincare education
• Hands-on practical training
• Supervised client experience
• Flexible scheduling options
• Designated distance education
• Licensing preparation
• Business and career education
• Instructor and student-support resources

The goal is not simply to complete 1,200 hours.

It is to use those hours to develop technical skill, professional habits, client confidence, and preparation for the next stage of your career.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours does it take to become a Master Esthetician in Utah?

Utah’s current school-based Master Esthetics pathway requires a minimum of 1,200 hours of instruction.

Is Utah’s old 600-hour esthetics program still available to new students?

Utah generally stopped issuing new licenses through the former pathway beginning January 1, 2026, subject to transition provisions for certain students and apprentices who had already begun qualifying training. RACE does not currently enroll new students in the former 600-hour Basic Esthetics program.

Does RACE offer Master Esthetics?

Yes. Renaissance Academie offers a 1,200-hour Master Esthetics program in Provo, Utah.

Can I attend RACE part-time?

RACE offers multiple schedule options. Available schedules vary, so prospective students should review the current Master Esthetics page or contact Admissions.

Does RACE offer hybrid Master Esthetics education?

RACE offers approved distance education for eligible portions of the program while required practical and hands-on education is completed on campus.

Do I have to pass an exam after Master Esthetics school?

Utah requires applicants to satisfy the examination requirement established by DOPL. Students should check current DOPL testing information as they approach graduation because testing procedures may change.

Can Master Estheticians perform laser services in Utah?

Utah’s Master Esthetics scope includes certain cosmetic medical-device procedures, including specified nonablative procedures, subject to applicable Utah requirements. Professionals must comply with the current scope, supervision, training, and practice requirements for the service being performed.

Start Your Master Esthetics Journey at RACE

If professional skincare is where you see your future, the next step is learning more about the education required to get there.

Explore the Renaissance Academie Master Esthetics Program for current curriculum, schedules, tuition and costs, start dates, distance-education information, and Financial Aid eligibility.

Or schedule a campus tour to visit Renaissance Academie in Provo, explore our student spa and classrooms, meet our team, and get your questions answered in person.

Licensing requirements, examinations, scopes of practice, and application procedures are established by the State of Utah and may change. Prospective students and graduates should consult the Utah Division of Professional Licensing for requirements applicable to their individual circumstances.