Trinidad State College

Esthetician

Learn facial treatments, skin analysis, waxing, and make-up application in a hands-on program that prepares you for the Colorado State Cosmetology Licensure examination.

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Certificates Available

Program at a Glance

The Esthetician Certificate is a stand-alone credential offered at both the Trinidad and Valley campuses. It is also one of five specialty pathways within the broader Cosmetology program, so coursework can stack toward a full Cosmetology Certificate if you choose to continue.

Esthetician Certificate

20 Credit Hours

Three-semester program that prepares you for a career in skin care, with training in skin analysis, facial treatments, waxing, and facial massage. Offered at both the Trinidad and Valley campuses, the program builds toward the Colorado State Cosmetology Licensure examination.

Nail Technician Certificate

20 Credit Hours

Two-semester program that prepares you for a career in manicuring, pedicuring, and nail enhancement, with training in infection control, sanitation, and professional nail care techniques. Offered at both campuses and builds toward the Colorado State Cosmetology Licensure examination.

Outcome

State Licensure Prep

Coursework in skin analysis, facials, waxing, and massage prepares you for the Colorado State Cosmetology Licensure examination.

Program Cost

Tuition rates are identical at Trinidad and Valley campuses. Fees vary slightly by campus and credit load — see the full schedule for exact per-term totals. Course-specific fees (lab materials, software, certification exams) vary by program and are charged per course. Estimates do not include books, supplies, or room and board. Rates are for 2026–2027 and subject to change.

In-State Resident

$183.75/cr hr

$299.75/cr hr minus $116 COF stipend

Must be a Colorado resident to qualify for the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF).

WUE Student

$275.60/cr hr

Per-credit-hour rate

Western Undergraduate Exchange rate for residents of AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY & US Pacific territories. Learn more at wiche.edu

Out-of-State

$306.40/cr hr

Standard non-resident rate

COF stipend does not apply. Financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans are available to all students regardless of residency.

Apply Now Course Specific Fees › Explore Financial Aid & Scholarships › Trinidad Tuition Schedule (PDF) › Valley Tuition Schedule (PDF) ›

Where You Can Study

This program is offered at the following TSC campus locations.

TrinidadTrinidad, CO 81082

Trinidad Campus

Address: 600 Prospect StPhone: (719) 846-5011

Campus MapView ›

ValleyAlamosa, CO 81101

Valley Campus

Address: 1011 Main StPhone: (719) 589-7000

Campus MapView ›

Certificate Curriculum

Each certificate is a standalone credential. Click any certificate to see the full course list.

CIP Code:12.0401

Esthetician Certificate

Brief description of what is included

20credit hours

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Program Code:CER_CEST

Semester One (7 credits)

COS 1050 – Laws, Rules, and Regulations (1 credit) (fall only)
COS 1060 – Introduction to Disinfection, Sanitation, & Safety (2 credits)
COS 2050 – Business Management /Personal Skills/Ethics (1 credit) (summer only)
EST 1010 – Introduction to Skin Care (3 credits) (fall only)

Semester Two (2 credits)

EST 1011 – Intermediate Skin Care (2 credits) (spring only) (Course Pre-/Co-Req: EST 1010)

Semester Three (11 credits)

COS 2060 – Intermediate II: Infection Control and Prevention (2 credits) (Course Pre-/Co-Req: COS 1060)
COS 2062 – Advanced II: Disinfection, Sanitation & Safety (3 credits) (Course Pre-/Co-Req: COS 1060)
EST 2010 – Advanced Skin Care (2 credits) (summer only) (Course Pre-/Co-Req: EST 1011)
EST 2011 – Make-up for Skin Care Professionals (1 credit) (summer only)
EST 2012 – Hair Removal (3 credits) (summer only)

Nail Technician Certificate

Brief description of what is included

20credit hours

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Program Code:CER_4NAT

Semester One (9 credits)

COS 1050 – Laws, Rules, and Regulations (1 credit) (fall only)
COS 1060 – Introduction to Infection Control and Prevention (2 credits) (fall only)
COS 1061 – Intermediate I: Infection Control and Prevention (1 credit) (fall only)
NAT 1010 – Introduction to Nail Care (3 credits)
NAT 1011 – Intermediate I Nail Care (2 credits)

Semester Two (11 credits)

COS 2050 – Business Management /Personal Skills/Ethics (1 credit) (summer only)
COS 2060 – Intermediate II: Infection Control and Prevention (2 credits) (spring only)
COS 2061 – Advanced Infection Control and Prevention (1 credit) (fall only)
NAT 2010 – Advanced Nail Care (2 credits) (fall only)
NAT 2011 – Application of Nail Enhancements (5 credits) (spring only)

All courses completed in any Certificate program count toward the degree. You never lose credits by starting with a certificate.

Licensure Exam Pass Rates

Reported to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, 2019–2024.

Esthetician pass rates by campus and exam type
Campus	Practical	Written
Trinidad	80.00%	81.82%
Alamosa	94.87%	69.77%

Pass rate data is published by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Important Note for Prospective Students: If you are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license in the state where you plan on living and working after graduating, it is highly recommended that you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in that state BEFORE beginning the academic program at Trinidad State College. In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Trinidad State College provides information pertaining to professional licensure and certification in correlation with programs offered at TSC that may lead to state licensure.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary courses. It is intended to make it easier for students to take courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.

If you plan on taking Trinidad State College classes, please check the SARA Map to verify that your state has either authorized or exempted our college to offer classes or programs to you as a resident of your state.

Students are advised to review the following program licensure information BEFORE beginning a program at TSC that leads to professional licensure with the intent to be licensed outside of the state of Colorado. Review the licensing information provided for the applicable program(s) below. While TSC endeavors to ensure this information is up to date, changes in licensure requirements of any state can change at any time. Contact the appropriate licensing agency in the U.S. states and territories where licensure is intended. This will enable you to obtain the most up-to-date information about licensure requirements and confirm TSC’s program meets those requirements especially while progressing through any of these programs.

Not all of TSC’s programs are formally approved for professional licensure. However, while a program may not be formally approved in states outside of Colorado, it may still meet all or a portion of the “educational” requirements for licensure in other states and territories. Therefore, it may be necessary for you to contact the licensing agency directly to find out if a TSC program will meet educational requirements in states other than Colorado. Additionally, while progressing through any of these programs, TSC recommends that you check licensing agency requirements regularly to monitor whether they have changed in a manner that impacts your licensure plans.

To learn more, please review the licensure information provided for the program of interest: Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement Academy, Nurse Aide, Nursing.

For additional assistance pertaining to professional licensing compliance, please contact Dr. Lynette Bates, Vice President for Academic Affairs, lynette.bates@trinidadstate.edu.