Alabamaesthetician license & exam requirements
State-specific examHow to get licensed as an esthetician in Alabama: training hours, board exam format, vendor, and how to prepare — researched from the official Alabama board.
- License
- Esthetician
- Training hours
- 1,000 school hours (or 2,000 apprenticeship hours; the two may not be combined)
- Written exam
- State-specific exam
- Exam vendor
- PSI
Exam details & notes
Written ($75) and practical ($130) exams both required, administered by PSI; candidates must pass both within 2 years of completing training. Alabama appears in PSI's own 'Cosmetology & Barber National Exams' program (PSI-developed content), and NIC's participation map shows no NIC provider for Alabama — older third-party pages still describing the NIC National Esthetics exam appear stale. Board site does not publish question count/time/passing score; prep sources report ~100 questions/120 min with Alabama laws & rules included in the written (no separate law exam). Board publishes its own practical content outline (effective 10/1/2018).
Some details for Alabama were ambiguous on the official board site when we researched this (July 2026) — double-check the specifics with the board before you rely on them.
Preparing for the Alabama exam
PrepTempo's Esthetician course covers the NIC national theory core — infection control, skin sciences, skin analysis, and treatments. Alabama runs its own written exam, but it covers largely the same core science and safety material, so the course is strong preparation. Study your Alabama law-and-rules section from the board on top of the core.
Free esthetician practice questions →Alabama esthetician license FAQ
Does Alabama use the NIC esthetician exam?
No. Alabama uses a state-specific written exam (PSI) rather than the NIC national exam.
How many training hours does Alabama require for an esthetician license?
1,000 school hours (or 2,000 apprenticeship hours; the two may not be combined)
How do I get an esthetician license in Alabama?
Complete the required training hours (1,000 school hours (or 2,000 apprenticeship hours; the two may not be combined)), satisfy the written exam requirement (State-specific exam, vendor PSI), and apply through the Alabama board. Always confirm current rules on the official board site.
Where can I practice for the Alabama esthetician or cosmetology-related board exam?
PrepTempo's Esthetician State Board course covers the NIC national theory core (infection control, skin science, analysis, and treatments) with free sample questions and free Chapter 1. Study Alabama law-and-rules from your board on top of the core.
Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; confirm with the Alabama board. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state board, the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), or any exam vendor, and they do not endorse this product.