Online education has changed our pattern of learning in recent times. Individuals that have full-time jobs or other obligations, further their education online. There are free esthetician certifications online that you can get to become a certified beautician in the comfort of your home.
Not everyone is cut out to earn a college degree majorly because of the cost and the duration of study. A bachelor’s degree takes 4 years for complete, while an associate’s takes 2 years but some people don’t have that patience and want a faster and cheaper alternative.
A better option for such persons is to earn a certification in a program relating to a field that they like, have some knowledge of, or is the highest paying one at that time. Unlike their degree counterparts, certifications are cheaper and faster to complete, in fact, there are some free online certification programs, that one can enroll in, and as for the aspect of duration, they take weeks or months to complete.
Certifications are offered by colleges and universities, trade schools, vocational institutions, organizations, and online learning platforms. A certification is an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement. It is the process of earning an official document, or the act of providing an official document, as proof that something has happened or been done.
The certification I will be talking about in this article is the free esthetician online certification. There are online esthetician schools that give financial aid to their students. You can even enroll in some of the best cosmetology online schools, and get the best esthetician training. Before venturing into the free online esthetician certifications, let’s pause for a while and learn about what and who an esthetician is.
Who is an Esthetician?
An esthetician also known as a cosmetologist or a beautician in layman’s terms is a person licensed to provide cosmetic treatments to the hair, skin, and nails.
Estheticians have the opportunity to work in places like Salons, Spas, Resorts Hotels, etc., where they meet different people and show forth their skills.
Some can even run a private beauty college where they equip people with in-depth skills and practical knowledge needed to be sought-after cosmetologists and estheticians.
There are opportunities to enroll in a cosmetology school for free, and if you are looking for a comprehensive guide to understanding hair and scalp health, you should consider taking free online trichology courses.
Now that we have gotten an overview of who an esthetician is and what they do, let’s answer an important question on how to become an esthetician online
How to Become an Esthetician Online
There are laid out steps that one has to take, before becoming an esthetician online. The steps will be talked about below. They are as follows;
Enroll in an online esthetician program – The first step in becoming an esthetician online is to look for an accredited program that passes all state board requirements in the area where you plan to practice. You also need to choose from three types of esthetician programs offered online.
Complete esthetician training requirements – On enrollment into an accredited online program, you need to complete the esthetician training. The average requirement to earn your esthetician license is 600 hours of specialized training that often involves the following studies:
- Waxing and hair removal
- Cosmetology sanitation and safety procedures
- Makeup application techniques
- Cosmetic ingredient analysis
- Skin treatment procedures (facials, massage, cleansing)
- Salon management
- Anatomy and physiology
- Skin conditions
- Cosmetic science
This training is practical and hands-on, to ensure that the participants are adequately trained. Some courses provide opportunities for internships with local partners to finish your training in a salon or spa close to your location. Another option is to submit a portfolio showing how you perform esthetic work on clients.
Choose a specialization – Online esthetician programs offer training for unique areas of skincare application. These may include:
- Airbrush effects
- Advanced acne treatments
- Reiki
- Advanced facial massage techniques
- Aromatherapy
- Microdermabrasion
- Body wraps
- Theatrical makeup
Earn your esthetician’s license – After passing your online esthetician courses, you can begin the process of getting certified in the state where you will practice.
You have to check for the requirements for the state board of Cosmetology where you plan to work. Some states require more training hours than others.
Once you meet all the requirements, you will need to take the examination for estheticians. Once you complete the assessment with a passing score, you can apply to earn your license and practice as a skilled esthetician
There are courses you can take on how to care for your natural skin online without enrolling in any beauty or esthetician college. It all depends on what works for you. Now, let’s delve properly into the free esthetician certifications offered online.
Free Esthetician Certifications Online
Online platforms like Alison, Coursera, and EdX offer free esthetician Certifications online. Listed below are 10 free esthetician certifications that can be obtained online, and they are as follows;
- The International Dermal Institute (IDI)
- The International Association of HealthCare Professionals (IAHCP)
- The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
- The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
- The National Esthetician Association (NEA)
- The International Association for Medical Aesthetics (IAMA)
- International Association of Professions Career College (IAPCC)
- The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- The National Laser Institute (NLI)
1. The International Dermal Institute (IDI)
This is the first on our list of esthetician certifications online. The International Dermal Institute redefines professional excellence and offers skin therapists a unique opportunity to reach their personal best.
IDI is considered the international gold standard for postgraduate skin and body therapy training 100,000 skin therapists annually with 37 locations worldwide, reaching over 80+ countries. IDI offers courses both in-person at their Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York locations and via IDI Streaming
2. The International Association of HealthCare Professionals (IAHCP)
This is the next on the list of free esthetician certifications online. The International Association of Health Care Professionals (IAHCP) Society is a Membership Service of the Association of Health Care Professionals (AHCP), which is a Healthcare Membership Organization for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and organizations, which encourages research, education, innovations, and organizational activities for healthcare professionals Worldwide.
The IAHCP is a network of around 125,000 individual healthcare professional memberships and up to 270,000 organizational memberships from up to 210 countries and territories Worldwide, making it a total membership of about 395,000 as of July 2020.
3. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
This is the next on our list of free esthetician certifications online. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is the largest specialty organization in the United States exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons who have unique training and experience to treat the health, function, and beauty of skin throughout every stage of life.
ASDS members are recognized as leaders in the field of cosmetic and medically necessary skin surgery. They also are pioneers in the field; many are involved in clinical studies that bring popular treatments to revitalize skin and fill and diminish wrinkles to the forefront. Their work has helped create and enhance many of the devices that tighten skin and remove blemishes, hair, and fat.
Their esthetician certification offers a free online course called “Esthetician Fundamentals for Dermatologic Surgery.” This course covers the basics of esthetics for dermatologic surgery, including skin anatomy and physiology, common treatments, and how to work with dermatologists to provide safe and effective care.
4. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
This is the next on the list of esthetician online certifications. Headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations.
With a membership of more than 20,500 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair, and nails.
They offer a free online course called “Skin Care Basics for Estheticians.” This course covers the fundamentals of skincare, including anatomy and physiology, product ingredients, and common skin conditions
5. The National Esthetician Association (NEA)
This is another esthetician certification online on our list. The NCEA Certified credential is awarded to those who have achieved a passing score on the national exam that evaluates the Esthetician’s skills and knowledge at a 1200-hour competency level.
The National Esthetician Certification is setting standards necessary for the growth of their profession, and provides an affordable pathway for endorsement and/or reciprocity, (exchanging their license) so they can move to another state with higher hours, and/or get an Advanced or Master Esthetician License. (in applicable states).
They offer a free online course called “Esthetician 101.” This course covers the basics of esthetics, including skin anatomy and physiology, sanitation and infection control, and product ingredients
6. The International Association for Medical Aesthetics (IAMA)
This is the next on the list of free esthetician online certifications. The International Institute of Aesthetic Medicine is a training and development organization that is dedicated to providing comprehensive, hands-on education to medical professionals looking to begin or advance their careers in Medical Aesthetics.
In partnership with MedSpa Partners, the leading platform of top-tier Medical Aesthetics clinics, IAMA has hand-picked a collection of the most experienced trainers, researchers, and practice management experts in the industry. This renowned faculty understands that the practice of Medical Aesthetics requires knowledge of consultation, art, practice, and experience.
This esthetician certification offers a free online course called “Medical Aesthetics for Estheticians.” This course covers the fundamentals of medical aesthetics, including anatomy and physiology, skin conditions, and common treatments such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion
7. International Association of Professions Career College (IAPCC)
This is the next on the list of free esthetician online certifications. IAP Career College, also known as the International Association of Professions Career College, is a private online career college affiliated with FabJob Inc, the leading online publisher of guidebooks on how to get started in a dream career, serving hundreds of thousands of career changers on six continents since 1999.
This esthetician certification offers a free Esthetician Certification course that covers the basic principles of skincare and makeup application. This course includes lessons on skin anatomy, skin care products, facial treatments, makeup application techniques, and more.
Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate of completion that can be used to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field of esthetics.
8. The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)
This is another free esthetician certification online on our list. AACS was founded in 1924 and has a rich history of educating and advancing millions of students into the beauty and wellness industry. They are a national nonprofit association open to all privately owned schools of cosmetology arts and sciences.
Their membership includes cosmetology, skin, nail, barbering, and massage schools. AACS currently has more than 250 school owners as members comprising over 500 schools across the nation. This esthetician certification offers a free online course called “Introduction to Esthetics.” This course covers the basics of esthetics, including skin anatomy and physiology, product ingredients, and common treatments
9. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
This is the next on the list of free esthetician certifications online. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. Founded in 1931, the Society represents 92 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States, and more than 11,000 plastic surgeons worldwide, making ASPS a global institution and leading authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
The ASPS mission is to advance quality care for plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice, and research in plastic surgery.
Their esthetician certification offers a free online course called “Esthetician Essentials for Plastic Surgery.” This course covers the basics of esthetics for plastic surgery, including skin anatomy and physiology, common treatments, and how to work with plastic surgeons to provide safe and effective care.
10. The National Laser Institute (NLI)
This is the last on the list of free esthetician online certifications. National Laser Institute is dedicated to educational excellence in the field of cosmetic lasers, Botox and Dermal fillers, and all medical aesthetics. They offer comprehensive, hands-on training programs so attendees can succeed in today’s thriving field of advanced anti-aging, cosmetic medicine, and laser technology.
As the leading cosmetic laser training school in the country, National Laser Institute has created a new cutting-edge online experience to enable students to continue on their journey towards their exciting new medical aesthetics career. Their online classes and in-person clinical create their new online program that students can attend from the comfort of their own homes by simply using their phones or computer.
This esthetician certification offers a free online course called “Laser Safety for Estheticians.” This course covers the fundamentals of laser safety, including the different types of cosmetic lasers, potential risks and complications, and proper safety protocols. Those who attend National Laser Institute go on to achieve lucrative and enjoyable careers as:
- Laser Hair Reduction Technicians
- Laser Tattoo Reduction Specialists
- Med Spa Owners
- Cosmetic Injectors
- Aesthetic Nurses
- Cosmetic Physicians and more
Conclusion
The organizations that I have talked about all offer free esthetician certifications online. So, if you are looking to get certified as a professional beautician, you can take their online courses and become qualified for certification and licensing.