How to Become a Licensed Esthetician in Oklahoma

Many places throughout Oklahoma are in need of licensed estheticians, including:

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

If you are considering a career as a licensed esthetician in the state of Oklahoma, there are a few things you need to know. Keep reading this article to find out what they are.

Esthetician License Requirements and Training Schools in Oklahoma

Step 1: Complete a State Approved Esthetics Program or Apprenticeship

A 600-hour state-approved esthetician program is also required before sitting for the esthetician licensure exams. Your esthetics coursework will include:

• Manual and manual facials
• Client consultation and service contraindications
• Waxing and threading
• Make-up applications and color theory
• Infection control procedures
• Skin care products and chemistry

When you begin your coursework, you will be required to complete and submit a notarized Student Registration Application along with a current 2″ x 3″ full-face photo, proof of an 8th-grade education, and a copy of your student contract.

Esthetician Apprenticeship

The State Board also allows a 1200-hour apprenticeship pathway to licensure in place of a formal education program. The apprenticeship must be done under a licensed esthetician in a licensed establishment. The applicant must submit a letter to the board explaining why going to a formal school would be a hardship. The licensed esthetician and the salon or establishment owner must also submit a letter agreeing to train the apprentice.

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

Mail your completed and signed application along with your cashier’s check or money order to:

Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Exam Department
2401 NW 23rd Street
Suite 84
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Once the State Board has processed and approved your application, they will notify you of your exam date, time, and location.

Although the Oklahoma State Board is the governing body over the practice of esthetics in this state, it has contracted with PSI Services to administer the written exams. The fee for the written exam is $45 and will need to be paid directly to PSI when you schedule your exam. This can be done via their website or by phone. You can schedule your exams without prior Board approval. The cost to retake the exam is $45 as well.

Registering and Scheduling Your Written Exam

You can register for your written exam by going here and doing the following:

1. Select “Government/State Licensing Agencies” from the Select Organization drop-down menu.
2. Select “Oklahoma” from the Jurisdiction drop down menu (you may have to scroll down the menu).
3. Select “OK Cosmetology” from the Select Account drop down menu.
4. Click the “OK Esthetician Theory Examination – English” link in the Examination menu.
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 calling1-800-733-9267 and using the automated system.

Exam center locations can be found in the Candidate Information Bulletin. We’ve also mapped out the location of each PSI test center here.

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 arrive 30 minutes early to your exam to have time to check in. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the exams and will forfeit their exam fees.

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

• A form of government-issued identification that includes a photo (cannot be expired)
• A mannequin head (for the practical exam only)
• A testing supplies kit for the practical exam (full list of supplies can be found on pages 14-16 of the NIC Candidate Information Bulletin)

The Written Esthetics Exam

The Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering uses the NIC Theory Exam for the written exam. You are allowed 90 minutes to complete the written exam. This exam will consist of 55 percent scientific concept questions and 45 percent skin care and services questions. All questions on the exam are in multiple choice form.

The esthetics written exam will include topics such as:

• Microbiology, anatomy, and histology
• Infection control
• Skin functions, disorders, and diseases
• Factors that impact the skin
• Contraindications for services
• Chemistry

More information on what to study can be found in the NIC Theory Exam Candidate Information Bulletin.

The Practical Esthetics Exam

The NIC practical exam is used for the practical examination which tests your hands-on esthetics knowledge and skills.

The practical exam portion covers these core domain sections:

1. Work Area and Client Preparation, and Set Up of Universal Supplies (First client, 15 minutes)
2. Cleansing of the Face with Product (10 minutes)
3. Exfoliating the Face with Product, Using Implement or Materials, Including Towel Steaming (10 minutes)
4. Massaging the Face with Product (10 minutes)
5. Work Area and New Client Preparation, and Set Up of Supplies (Second client, 15 minutes)
6. Hair Removal of the Eyebrows by Tweezing and Using Simulated Soft Wax* (Not timed)
7. Hair Removal of the Upper Lip Using Hard Wax+ (Not timed)
8. Particle Microdermabrasion on the Forehead+ (10 minutes)
9. Facial Mask and Conclusion of Facial Service (10 minutes)
10. Facial Makeup (20 minutes)
11. Eyelash Enhancement (this section may be administered during Facial Makeup) (10 minutes)
12. Blood Exposure Procedure (Not timed)

Once you have passed both the written and practical exams, will need to submit this final Application for Individual License. Your school will need to submit your transcripts or you will need to complete this Affidavit of Education. You are also required to pay the $25 licensing fee in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.

Please note that if your name has changed since becoming a student, you will be required to show proof of name change by submitting either a copy of your current driver’s license (cannot be expired) or a copy of your marriage license.

Mail your application, required documents, and fee payment to:

Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Exam Department
2401 NW 23rd Street
Suite 84
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Once the State Board approves your license application you will be mailed your esthetician license.

Step 4: Renew Your OK Esthetician License Every Year

Upon completion of the online renewal process, you should print and retain your confirmation receipt until your license renewal application has been processed. Upon your renewal application being processed and your license record being updated, your license, certification and/or rule book will be mailed to you from the State Board.

Continuing education credits are not required to renew an esthetician license in the state of Oklahoma.

Esthetician License Reciprocity in Oklahoma

Every reciprocity applicant is required to take the Safety and Sanitation Exam. The first step to reciprocity is to complete the Application for Domestic Reciprocity License and mail it along with the other required documents (listed in the application instructions) and your payment of the $65 application fee (cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering).

Mail your completed and signed application, required documents, and fee payment to:

Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Reciprocity Department
2401 NW 23rd Street
Suite 84
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Any applicant who mails an incomplete application or sends incomplete documents will have their application and documents returned to them, therefore delaying the licensing process.

Once the State Board has approved and processed your application, they will mail you your Oklahoma esthetician license.

Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

Oklahoma Written Exam Locations

Map of Written Exam Locations in Oklahoma

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