If you’ve been asking yourself what a master esthetician is, or whether the advanced license is worth pursuing, you’re not alone. The short answer: both basic and advanced esthetician paths lead to rewarding careers in skincare, but they differ in training hours, the procedures you’re licensed to perform, and where you can work. A basic esthetician license requires 600 hours and opens doors to spas and salons. A master esthetician license requires an additional 600 hours and qualifies you for clinical settings, medical spas, and advanced procedures like chemical peels, microneedling, and laser treatments.
At Skin Science Institute, with locations in Sandy and Orem, Utah, we specialize in master esthetician training, with program options for both brand-new students and already-licensed estheticians. Below, we break down the difference between an advanced esthetician vs basic esthetician as well as master esthetician requirements so you can decide which path fits your goals.
Basic Esthetician Classes: What The Foundation Level Covers
If you are interested in working in the skincare field and getting your esthetician license, the place to start is by taking a basic esthetician course. Basic esthetician training covers the fundamentals of skincare: the building blocks that every esthetician needs before advancing into more complex clinical work. A standard basic esthetician curriculum includes lessons on eyelash extensions (lash tinting and perming), facials, manicuring, waxing, and more.
Graduates with a basic esthetician license typically work in day spas, salons, and skincare studios. Utah’s growing beauty industry means demand is strong — but the earning potential and career settings available to master estheticians go significantly further. To learn more about where the industry is heading, check out our post on why esthetics is one of the fastest-growing careers in Utah.
In Utah, the basic esthetician license pathway was recently eliminated, meaning that the state will only issue master esthetician licenses or equivalent permits beginning in 2026. Because of recently passed SB 330, new esthetics students in Utah will need to meet the 1,200 master esthetician hours in order to obtain their esthetician license.
Master Esthetician Requirements in Utah: Hours, Licensing, and What to Expect
To become a master esthetician in Utah, the state requires an additional 600 hours of advanced training on top of a basic esthetician license for a total of 1,200 hours of education. The good news is that you can make the choice to become a master esthetician at any time. If you’re already a licensed esthetician or cosmetologist, you can enroll directly in our 600-Hour Intermediate Master Esthetician Program and build on the skills you already have.
Prefer to complete everything in one continuous program? Our 1200-Hour Comprehensive Master Esthetics Program is designed exactly for that: combining foundational esthetics training with advanced clinical and medical esthetics into one seamless course. It’s the most direct route from no prior experience to a master esthetician license in Utah.
Whether you come in as a working esthetician ready to level up, or as someone brand new to the field, there’s no wrong time to start. Some students finish their basic training elsewhere and come to us specifically for the master-level work. Others start here and complete the entire journey under one roof. Either way, Skin Science Institute is built to meet you where you are.
Advanced Esthetician vs. Basic Esthetician: Procedures and Scope of Practice
Master estheticians are sometimes called medical estheticians because they perform more complex and potentially dangerous procedures. While basic estheticians may work in a clinical setting, they more often work in spas or beauty salons, providing facials and waxing services. Many of our graduates report they enjoy this work, creating and mixing facials based on the client’s goals and seeing how pleased they are with their results.
Other students are more interested in working in a doctor’s office or dermatology clinic. In these settings, master estheticians perform procedures such as:
Chemical peel: A chemical peel is the least invasive of the skin-care procedures master estheticians do in a medical setting. For a chemical peel, the esthetician applies a mild acid to the skin, leaving it on for a preset period of time depending upon the patient’s goals. The acid is then removed, and within a few days, the patient’s skin begins to peel, shedding its top layer. The skin underneath is brighter, and discoloration is lessened.
Mistakes made with chemical peels can result in chemical burns and scarring, and this is why only master estheticians are allowed to perform this procedure.
Microdermabrasion: During a microdermabrasion procedure, a master esthetician uses a tool that abrades the surface of the skin. It is similar to a chemical peel, but works immediately, and the penetration is deeper. Microdermabrasion is often recommended to improve the appearance of scars, including stretch marks.
The risks of microdermabrasion include bruising, abrasions, dryness and skin sensitivity.
Microneedling: A microneedling tool is equipped with dozens of tiny needles that penetrate the skin. The needles cause micro-injury to the skin, and in the healing process, the skin becomes plumper and more youthful-looking.
It is possible to buy microneedling tools online for home use, but this is very dangerous. Microneedling usually results in some bleeding, and improper use can lead to infection, scabbing and scarring.
Dermaplaning: Dermaplaning has even more risks because it involves a blade. The procedure involves removing hair from the face with a blade, leaving skin baby-smooth and soft. Done incorrectly, dermaplaning can result in irritation, breakouts and infection.
Laser skin resurfacing: Lasers are substitutes for scalpels and other types of blades, and require the same caution when using. The purpose of laser skin resurfacing is the same as the skin care procedures mentioned above — to remove the dull, outer layer of skin to reveal the fresh, new inner layer. It’s fast and relatively painless, so it’s popular, but again, the proper training is required.
Esthetician School in Utah
What we listed above is just a sampling of what you’ll learn in master esthetician classes at Skin Science Institute. Our students report that becoming a master in their field brings them a profound sense of accomplishment — as well as the ability to earn significantly more money.
At Skin Science Institute — with campuses in Sandy and Orem, serving students from Provo, Lehi, Bluffdale, Salt Lake City, and throughout northern Utah — we offer two paths to your master esthetician license:
- The 600-Hour Intermediate Master Esthetician Program: for licensed estheticians or cosmetologists ready to advance into clinical and medical esthetics.
- The 1200-Hour Comprehensive Master Esthetics Program: for students with no prior training who want to complete their entire esthetics education in one place.
Both programs include hands-on training in our student spa and clinic, small class sizes, and career support to help you land the job you’re after. Apply now or request a free info pack to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions: Esthetician vs. Master Esthetician
A master esthetician is a licensed skincare professional who has completed advanced training beyond the basic esthetician level. In Utah, that means an additional 600 hours of instruction in clinical-grade procedures, corrective treatments, and advanced modalities like chemical peels, microneedling, and laser therapy. It’s a separate, state-issued license — not just a title.
In Utah, you must complete 1,200 hours of training to become a master esthetician. Another path would be to first hold a basic esthetician or cosmetology license, then complete an additional 600 hours of approved master esthetician training. After that, you’ll need to pass the NIC National Advanced Esthetics written and practical exams to earn your master license from the state.
The scope-of-practice difference is significant. Basic estheticians are licensed for facials, waxing, lash services, and similar treatments. Master estheticians can perform procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, microneedling, dermaplaning, and laser skin resurfacing — services that command higher price points and open doors to medical spas, dermatology offices, and plastic surgery clinics. Most master estheticians earn noticeably more than their basic-licensed counterparts.
Not necessarily. If you’re starting with no prior esthetics training, our 1200-Hour Comprehensive Master Esthetics Program is designed for you. This program combines the foundational curriculum with advanced master-level training into one complete program. If you already hold a basic esthetician or cosmetology license, our 600-Hour Intermediate Master Esthetician Program lets you pick up right where your training left off.
