Esthetician vs. Master Esthetician in Virginia: What’s the Difference?

A side-by-side comparison of Virginia’s two esthetics licenses — training hours, scope of practice, cost, and which one to start with.

Fundamental comes first — it isn’t optional

This is the part most people get wrong when they start comparing programs. You cannot enroll directly in Advanced Esthetics as a beginner. Fundamental Esthetics is the entry point, and completing it is what makes you eligible for the advanced program.

To begin Advanced Esthetics at NVLET, you must either:

• Hold a current esthetician license, or
• Be enrolled in our Fundamental Esthetics program

Along with meeting DPOR license requirements, providing a valid Virginia ID or Social Security card, and being 18 or older (or having parental consent).

The reason is structural, not administrative. Look at the two curricula further down this page: the fundamental program is where you learn skin analysis, anatomy and physiology, infection control, and manual facial technique. The advanced program opens with advanced anatomy, advanced skin analysis, and advanced modalities — it assumes you already have the foundation. There are zero hours of introductory skin science in the 600-hour advanced curriculum, because that ground is covered before you arrive.

The same logic applies to scope of practice. A master esthetician does everything an esthetician does plus the advanced modalities. The advanced license doesn’t replace the first one — it stacks on top of it.

Side by side

	Fundamental Esthetics	Advanced Esthetics
License earned	Virginia esthetician	Virginia master esthetician
Hours of instruction	600	600
Practical performances	220	215
Prerequisites	None — this is the starting point	Fundamental Esthetics required first. Esthetician license, or current enrollment in an esthetics program
Tuition	$10,395	$10,395
Books, kit & supplies	$1,500	$1,500
Registration / application fee	$100	$100
Total investment	$11,995	$11,995
Board examination	Required	Required

Hour and performance requirements are set by the Commonwealth under 18VAC41-70-190 and 18VAC41-70-200. Full pricing and payment options are on our tuition and program costs page.

What each license lets you do

This is the difference that actually matters day to day. Virginia defines a scope of practice for each license, and a licensed spa or school is responsible for ensuring nobody works beyond theirs.

Chemical exfoliation: the specific limits

Master esthetician is the license that permits chemical peels, and Virginia is precise about what a master esthetician may use:

• Jessner and Modified Jessner solution
• Trichloroacetic acid at less than 20%
• Nonprescriptive alpha hydroxy acids
• Nonprescriptive beta hydroxy acids
• Nonprescriptive, commercially available products used per the manufacturer’s written instructions
• Vitamin-based acids
• Enzymes
• Herbal exfoliators

Source: 18VAC41-70-250.

What you study in each program

The two curricula share almost no overlap. Advanced isn’t a review of the fundamentals at a higher level — it’s a different subject list.

Fundamental Esthetics — 600 hours

Subject area	Hours
Skin care	255
Applied sciences	95
General sciences	80
Makeup	65
Hair removal	50
Orientation and business topics	25
Body and other treatments	20
Laws and regulations	10
Total	600

Advanced Esthetics — 600 hours

Subject area	Hours
Advanced procedures and chemical exfoliation	270
Lymphatic drainage	120
Advanced skin care and advanced modalities	90
Advanced anatomy and physiology	65
Orientation, advanced business, and infection control	45
State laws, rules, and regulations	10
Total	600

Hands-on requirements

Fundamental Esthetics	Count	Advanced Esthetics	Count
Manual facials and treatments	65	Chemical exfoliation	75
Machine or electrical facials	50	Microdermabrasion	50
Consultations, cleansings, analysis	35	Lymphatic drainage treatments	50
Makeup	25	Advanced treatments	40
Hair removal	25
Body and back treatments	20
Total	220	Total	215

Which should you start with?

You don’t really choose between them. Fundamental Esthetics comes first — master esthetics training requires either a current esthetician license or enrollment in an esthetics program. The real question is whether you stop after the first license or continue.

Stopping after Fundamental makes sense if

• You want to work in a day spa, salon, or resort setting
• Facials, waxing, and makeup are the services you want to build a book around
• You want to start earning sooner and add the advanced credential later

Continuing on to Advanced makes sense if

• You want to work in a medical spa or a physician’s office
• Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or dermaplaning are services you want to offer
• You plan to open your own practice and want the widest service menu

There’s a measurable earnings dimension too. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median hourly wage of $19.98 for skincare specialists as of May 2024 — but for those working in offices of physicians, the median was $23.40. Advanced modalities are what qualify you for those settings.

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Skincare Specialists.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an esthetician and a master esthetician in Virginia?

They are two separate licenses. An esthetician performs facials, skin analysis, makeup, body treatments, and hair removal. A master esthetician additionally performs microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, chemical exfoliation, light and machine treatments, and lymphatic drainage.

Do I have to become an esthetician before a master esthetician?

Yes. Master esthetics training requires either a current Virginia esthetician license or enrollment in an esthetics program.

Can I skip the esthetician program and go straight to master esthetician?

No. Advanced Esthetics requires either a current esthetician license or enrollment in an esthetics program. Fundamental Esthetics is the prerequisite, and the advanced curriculum is built on the assumption that you already have that foundation.

How many total hours to become a master esthetician in Virginia?

1,200 hours — 600 for the esthetician license and another 600 for the master esthetician license.

Can a regular esthetician do chemical peels in Virginia?

No. Chemical exfoliation of the epidermis is within the master esthetician scope of practice, and Virginia defines specific limits on the solutions and concentrations permitted.

Can an esthetician do microdermabrasion or dermaplaning in Virginia?

No. Both are covered in the master esthetics curriculum and fall within the master esthetician scope of practice.

Does master esthetician cost more than esthetician?

No. At NVLET both programs are $11,995 total. Completing both comes to $23,990.

Is a master esthetician the same as a medical esthetician?

“Medical esthetician” is a job description, not a Virginia license. It usually refers to a licensed esthetician or master esthetician working in a medical setting such as a med spa or physician’s office. The advanced modalities those roles typically involve fall under the master esthetician scope.

Can I enroll in Advanced Esthetics while still in the Fundamental program?

Yes. Students may enroll in Advanced Esthetics while completing the fundamental esthetics program rather than waiting for licensure.