Esthetician in New York

NYS Dept. of State — Division of Licensing Services

New York licenses estheticians through the Department of State as an Appearance Enhancement specialty, so — unlike barbering — esthetics DOES have a written exam. It is state-administered (scheduled through businessexpress.ny.gov), a multiple-choice written test (2.5 hours) plus a practical, graded pass/fail with results valid five years. New York is one of the most language-accessible states: the esthetics written exam can be scheduled in English plus 10 translations — Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Turkish — so a Chinese-, Korean- or Spanish-speaking candidate can sit the real written test in their language. (This esthetics list differs from the nail and cosmetology lists — notably it does not include Vietnamese.) You need a 600-hour approved esthetics course. Our multilingual practice questions are a study aid.

📋 Exam facts

Real New York exam administration — from the official source

Practice questions (this site): 450
Testing agency: New York State (state-administered)
Real written-test languages: English · Spanish · Chinese · Korean · Bengali · Haitian Creole · Hebrew · Italian · Japanese · Russian · Turkish
To pass: Written (multiple-choice) + practical; 2.5 hours written; pass/fail (no numeric score), results valid 5 years
Training hours: 600 hours (approved esthetics course)
Written-exam translations: English + 10 translations (Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Turkish) — esthetics-specific list; no Vietnamese

Schedule / register ↗Official source ↗

🗓️ Last updated: 2026-07-06

📄 Based on: NYS DOS Become an Esthetician page + Appearance Enhancement written-exam procedures, checked 2026-07-06

✍️ Reviewed by the PassPrep editorial team · How we verify →

🎯 Practice for this exam

Jobs and next steps

Can help you move up

Shampooer / Salon Assistant

Shampooer hair/scalp support work is occupationally related to skincare specialists in O*NET; esthetician is a distinct licensed next path, with no claim that shampooer work qualifies the user.

Requirements vary by state and locality. Check the authority for where you plan to work.

View Shampooer / Salon Assistant job guide

Why this is linked: Shampooer / Salon Assistant

Shampooer hair/scalp support work is occupationally related to skincare specialists in O*NET; esthetician is a distinct licensed next path, with no claim that shampooer work qualifies the user.

varies by state

Official or authoritative source:

Reviewed 2026-08-17

PassPrep is an independent study resource. It is not a government agency, state board, NHA, CTEC, IRS, employer, or testing provider.

State rules and fees change often. This table shows only facts confirmed from an official board or vendor source on the date noted; anything unconfirmed is marked “to confirm.” Always verify current requirements with your state board or its testing vendor before you register. Our practice questions are a study aid and never imply your state offers the exam in a language it does not.