How do I become an esthetician in Canada?

The path you must take to become an esthetician in Canada depends on the province you live/plan to live in.

Regulated provinces

Certification standards to work as an esthetician in Canada differ from province to province. Some provinces have regulation trade requirements, for example:

• Saskatchewan divides their esthetic regulations between Nail Technicians and Skin Care specialists, also through an apprenticeship and trade certification commission.
• New Brunswick regulates Estheticians. 
• Manitoba regulates their Electrologists and Estheticians through Apprenticeship Manitoba

Training and on-the-job hours may transfer to a regulated province if you meet their individual criteria. If you are moving outside of a regulated province, your training and certification will be appealing to employers in a province that does not have these requirements. 

International Training

If you completed your esthetics training abroad, you may be able to use your education to work as an esthetician in Canada. This depends on whether the province you live in is regulated. However, we strongly recommend studying your province’s health and safety regulations in order to align your skills with Canadian safety and infection control guidelines.

Estheticians moving to Alberta can review Alberta Health Services’ Personal Services Regulations and Standards to learn more.

Type of Employment

Finally, there are two ways to become an esthetician in Canada in an unregulated province. Some employers may choose to train on the job. Many estheticians have started with training in one service, for example, waxing. As they gain practice and clientele, they build on their technical skills until they can offer a full service menu. In fact, because Alberta is an unregulated province when it comes to esthetics, many estheticians have been able to build successful businesses in this manner.

If your province is regulated, you can legally work as an esthetician in Canada after meeting expected training and hours.

EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP