Iowa esthetician exam
NIC national examWhat it takes to get licensed as an esthetician in Iowa, from the state's official board and exam vendor.
- License
- Esthetician
- Training hours
- 600
- Written exam
- NIC national exam
- Exam vendor
- Prov, Inc. (for Iowa DIAL / Board of Barbering & Cosmetology Arts and Sciences)
Exam details & notes
Written theory only — Iowa requires the NIC Esthetics theory exam (Prov's Jan-2026 Iowa CIB lists 'Esthetician (NIC Esthetics theory exam)'); no practical exam for estheticians (Iowa dropped practicals; only the optional barber shaving-certificate practical remains). Passing score 75% (DIAL). Written exams $83, taken 100% remotely from home via Examroom.ai. $60 nonrefundable application fee. Curriculum must include 150 life-science hours, 115 theory, 350 applied. CE renewal includes an Iowa law/sanitation component, but there is no separate state-law licensing exam.
Preparing for the Iowa exam
PrepTempo's Esthetician course covers the NIC national theory core — infection control, skin sciences, skin analysis, and treatments. That's exactly what Iowa's NIC exam tests. Study your Iowa law-and-rules section from the board on top of the core.
Start the Esthetician course →Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; confirm with the Iowa 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.