I see you...scrolling thru TikTok or Reels, watching those videos on makeup techniques, dreaming of a career as a makeup artist. While I didn't have social media growing up to show me what that career choice may look like, I did have a mother that was a makeup artist (so it's kinda the same thing, right?)
I absolutely LOVE what I get to do -- how I get to make women feel -- by a gift I have been blessed with. I would love nothing more than to tell you that the answer to the headline question - "Do you need a license (cosmetology or esthetician) to become a makeup artist" would be a resounding No...however, that is not always the case.
There are a lot of states that do not require a license, but there are many states that do. My first recommendation would be to go to Google and type in "Do I need a license to be a makeup artist in the state of (insert state here)." This will give you at least a jumping off place to see what the requirements are in your state. You can also see below for some resource links that may also help. Contact your Dept of Labor or Board of Cosmetology for your state if you have any questions on the requirements or if you need more clarification.
Now, with all of that said, I absolutely recommend that even if your state does not require a license, that you are well prepared before starting a freelance makeup artistry career. I recommend enrolling in a certification course that will take you through the basics. *** PLEASE KNOW that a certification in makeup artistry is not the same as a license (if your state requires it).
Knowing the fundamentals of skin, makeup types, face structures, color theory, business, sanitization importance, etc. IS ESSENTIAL!!!! (basically the things that you don't get in a basic YouTube tutorial from a makeup influencer). Even if you do go to school to be a Cosmetologist or Esthetician, the time they spend on actual makeup artistry is very little...it is recommended that you still do outside continuing education for your own growth in the industry.
Knowing the business side of the career is just as important as the makeup application side; if not, more. You want to be a thriving artist, not a starving artist. So, knowing how to market yourself, how to grow your brand, how to price yourself, what could the costs be to start up and so much more will make the difference in whether you last or not in the industry.
I want to help you start in this amazing career! We have some exciting news...keep scrolling...
Here is a list of resources for each state. I encourage you to visit the websites or call to verify the most up to date information is available.
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Alabama You will need to obtain your Esthetician license http://www.aboc.state.al.us/default.aspx
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Alaska You will need to obtain your Esthetician license https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofBarbersHairdressers.aspx
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Arizona No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist https://boc.az.gov/
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Arkansas You will need to obtain your Esthetician license http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/hsLicensingRegulation/Cosmetology/Pages/default.aspx
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California No license required to work as a professional freelance Makeup Artist (within the film, television, entertainment industry), or if you are applying makeup professionally to recommend/sell cosmetic products (department store and/or freelance sales) http://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/
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Colorado You will need to obtain your Esthetician license https://www.colorado.gov/dora/boards_programs
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Connecticut No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3143&q=388878
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Delaware No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist for retail sales, film, television, or visual arts. You will need to obtain your Esthetician license if wanting to work in a salon http://www.dpr.delaware.gov/boards/cosmetology/
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Washington DC You will need to obtain your Esthetician license http://www.pearsonvue.com/dc/barbers_cosmo/
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Florida No license required to work professionally as a freelance Makeup Artist http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/faqs/#1595007276585-9243d62f-dbc9
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Georgia No license required to work professionally as a freelance Makeup Artist and/or sell cosmetic product http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/16
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Hawaii You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/barber/
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Idaho You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license https://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/BoardPage.aspx?Bureau=COS
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Illinois No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.idfpr.com/profs/cosmo.asp
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Indiana No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist, but must have some sort of schooling http://www.in.gov/pla/cosmo.htm
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Iowa You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://www.idph.iowa.gov/
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Kansas No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.kansas.gov/kboc/
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Kentucky You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://kbhc.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
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Louisiana Has a separate permit requirement for Makeup Artists http://www.lsbc.louisiana.gov/application_makeup.aspx
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Maine You will need to obtain your Esthetician license http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/barbers/cosmetology.html
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Maryland No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.dllr.maryland.gov/license/cos/coslicreq.shtml
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Massachusetts No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/hd/
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Michigan No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist (unless working in a salon and not selling product) http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-72600_72602_72731_72864---,00.html
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Minnesota No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://mn.gov/boards/cosmetologist-examiners/
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Mississippi No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.msbc.ms.gov/Pages/default.aspx
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Missouri No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp
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Montana No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist for film, television, or visual arts. You will need to obtain your Esthetician license otherwise http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/cos
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Nebraska No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist, pay nominal fee to receive permit to apply makeup professionally http://www.boardofcosmetology.net/nebraska-state-board-of-cosmetology-cb27
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Nevada No license required to work professionally as a freelance Makeup Artist, or if selling cosmetic product in a salon environment http://cosmetology.nv.gov/
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New Hampshire You will need to obtain your Esthetician license http://www.oplc.nh.gov/
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New Jersey No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist for film, television, or visual arts. You will need to obtain your Esthetician license otherwise http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/cos
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New Mexico You will need to obtain your Esthetician license http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/barbers_and_cosmetologists.aspx
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New York No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist. You will need to obtain your Esthetician license if wanting to work in a salon environment https://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/esthetics/esthetics.html
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North Carolina You will need to obtain your Esthetician license http://www.nccosmeticarts.com/
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North Dakota You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license https://www.ndcosmetology.com/
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Ohio You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://www.cos.ohio.gov/
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Oklahoma You will need to obtain your Cosmetologist license https://www.ok.gov/cosmo/index.html
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Oregon You will need to obtain your Esthetician license http://www.oregon.gov/oha/hlo/Pages/index.aspx
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Pennsylvania You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license to receive compensation https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Cosmetology/Documents/Board%20Documents/COSMETOLOGY%20LAW.pdf
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Rhode Island No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://health.ri.gov/licenses/index.phpbeauty/
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South Carolina You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/cosmetology/
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South Dakota You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology/default.aspx
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Tennessee You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://www.tn.gov/commerce/section/cosmetology-and-barber-examiners
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Texas No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/cosmet/cosmet.htm
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Utah No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist, unless working in a salon environment and not selling cosmetics http://www.dopl.utah.gov/
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Vermont No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist, unless working in a salon environment https://www.sec.state.vt.us/professional-regulation.aspx
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Virginia No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/BarberCosmo/#Education_and_Exams
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Washington No license required to work professionally as a Makeup Artist http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/cosmetology/index.html
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West Virginia You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://www.wvbbc.org/
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Wisconsin You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://dsps.wi.gov/Boards-Councils/Board-Pages/Cosmetology-Examining-Board-Main-Page/
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Wyoming You will need to obtain your Esthetician or Cosmetology license http://cosmetology.wy.gov/Index.aspx
Are you thinking...ok, Marla
- I have checked my state's requirements, there are no license requirements and I am ready to get a certification to learn the ins-and-outs of being a freelance makeup artist
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OR - I am already licensed or currently in school, but want to become a freelance makeup artist and don't know where to start for running my own business.
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OR - It's been so long since I have done makeup professionally, I think I need a refresher before I go out on my own.
- OR - I have worked behind a makeup counter or at a beauty store...I want to be my own boss now!
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OR - TikTok's got nothing on my skills, I am ready to do this (just need someone to show me the most cost effective way to build a kit and get clients)
IF any of these are you...
Click on the button below to get on our waiting list to be the first to know when we open up our Freelance Makeup Artist Certification Course!
Once you get on our waiting list, you will be the first to know of the curriculum, the first to know of the launch date, AND our waitlist group will be the only ones with a Special Inaugural Bonus (pssst...hint hint...it may contain a special discount code for the course).
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