Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION?
Professional certifications are typically earned through an education institution or a professional organization such as the NCEA. Licensure is required by law and obtained through a state agency.
To learn more about Certifications and why they make sense for your career, read this article published by INDEED here
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO COMPLETE THE NATIONAL ESTHETICIAN CERTIFICATION?
Depending on your study habits and available time, this entire program can be completed in as little as 4-6 weeks.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THE STUDY GUIDE?
The National Esthetician Certification Study Guide can now be ordered through any bookstore or book outlet such as Amazon; Digital or Print. Click here
DO I NEED TO FINISH ESTHETICIAN SCHOOL BEFORE I CAN SIT FOR THE NATIONAL ESTHETICIAN EXAM?
No, you do not. We do allow Esthetician Students to sit the National Esthetician Certification within 100 hours of graduating from their school. Upon passing of their state (or school exam certification), the student will be required to provide verification of licensure.
IF I FAIL THE EXAM, DO I GET ANOTHER CHANCE?
If you do not achieve a passing score of 75% or higher, and you want to have another chance to pass your national esthetician certification exam, then you must send an email to the NCEA stating why you think you failed and what you have done to be better prepared to take the exam a second time. The exam fee for a 2nd attempt is $375.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MASTER OR ADVANCED ESTHETICIAN LICENSE AND THE NCEA CERTIFIED CREDENTIAL?
Master/Advanced Esthetician are ” licensing/regulatory terms” that are used in Washington, Utah, Virginia, District of Columbia, Nevada, Oregon, Minnesota. The National Esthetician Certification–NCEA Certified credential is the highest standard set by the National Coalition of Estheticians Associations (NCEA) for Estheticians in the United States.
Example: A Board-Certified Dermatologist has met the standards of their National Association-American Academy of Dermatology, in addition to their state-issued medical license.
The NCEA Certified credential is equivalent to a 1200-hour training program required for a Master/Advanced Esthetician licenses. Most Esthetician programs in the United States are around 600 hours. So having the NCEA Certified credential is “higher” than most state hours requirements, therefore giving you the ability to apply for licensure in other states by “Endorsement/Reciprocity.” (the process of getting your license in another state using your current license and your NCEA Certified credential) Although not always in law or rule, you can advocate with your state agency to have it recognized. Contact NCEA for additional information.
CAN I WORK IN ANY STATE ONCE I GET NATIONALLY CERTIFIED?
Currently the crossing of state lines requires obtaining a license through endorsement/reciprocity. An Esthetician Compact is in the works and we will have more information in the coming months.
HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL POINTERS ON STUDYING FOR THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM
In preparing for your career, you realized that the day you stop learning, is the day you shouldn’t be doing what you are doing. Throughout this process, you will find out what you know, what you remember, and what you don’t know. Nothing in this National Credentialing program should be beyond your ability to master. By allowing yourself the time to study, being patient with yourself and you will be successful.
Start now to identify any weaknesses in your current skills and knowledge.
Candidates often get discouraged in their ability to recall previously-learned knowledge that needs to be drawn upon for success. Be honest with yourself – you know whether or not you’ve understood the scientific basis for a treatment or the skin type classification characteristics. You know what areas you are confident in, and those that you are not. Begin immediately to revisit your basic understanding of the principles and this will build your foundation towards successful completion of this NCEA Certified credential.
Use Each Section’s Study Objectives & Self-Assessments to Guide Your Learning
Sometimes candidates rush through the sections believing they don’t need to underline or highlight each Study Objective as they find it in the text. Skimming through the section and not checking their learning against the objective, can lead to difficulty in mastering future course materials. The Self-Assessments quizzes will help confirm that you are committing the new information to your long-term memory.
Discuss and Question
Whether attending a undergraduate school or studying independently, the expectation of one-way learning often results in difficulties. Asking yourself the questions posed after each section Scenario is a skill in and of itself. You are not simply learning facts and skills but developing the scientific basis from which to make your own opinion and decide on a situation, i.e. identifying a precaution or contraindication for treatment. Developing your own judgment skills is an essential tool for your success in today’s skincare industry.
Use All the Tools at Your Disposal
The NCEA Certification Program utilizes NCEA Job Tasks that have been developed over several years. It is, by far, the most comprehensive and diverse set of skills in the industry. Using the manual as directed, attending NCEA Approved Training Facility all lead to successful learning. When a candidate has difficulty learning, more often than not, it’s because they did not use all of the program materials available.
NCEA Approved Training Facilities are excellent ways to develop a nurturing mentor relationship with your instructor; it also involves more interaction than a candidate using only the self-study method. Neither is better or worse, but one thing is for sure–you must recognize that it will take a commitment!
