Esthetician Courses Greater Montreal : CAMACS/CIDESCO, Tuition & Jobs
Esthetician Courses in Greater Montreal: CIDESCO/CAMACS, Tuition & Careers
Esthetician Courses in Greater Montreal: CIDESCO/CAMACS, Tuition & Careers
If you've been quietly daydreaming about a career in skincare — about doing facials, helping someone feel good in their own skin, maybe one day running your own little room — you've probably already started Googling "esthetician courses near me." And if you live anywhere around Greater Montreal, you've likely run into the same wall: do you really have to commute downtown three nights a week, or relocate, to make it happen? The honest answer at New Age Academy is no. Here's how our program actually works, what it costs, and what you can do with it afterward — no fluff, no inflated promises.
The New Age Academy Online Esthetics Certificate is a 600-hour, fully online, self-paced program. Whether you're in Pointe-Claire, Saint-Léonard, Griffintown, Laval, the West Island or anywhere else in the Greater Montreal area, you study from home on your own schedule. There are no fixed class times to build your life around. You can read the full program details on our academy hub page, but let's walk through the parts that matter most when you're deciding.
What the credential actually is (certificate, not "diploma")
This trips a lot of people up, so let's be precise: you earn a Canadian Esthetics Certificate, accredited through CIDESCO (the Comité International d'Esthétique et de Cosmétologie) and CAMACS. That distinction matters more than the word "diploma" ever will. CIDESCO/CAMACS accreditation is what professional liability insurers recognize, and it's what most medical-spa and clinic employers across Canada look for when they hire. A pretty certificate from an unaccredited online school doesn't open those same doors.
The other thing that makes this credential genuinely portable: it's recognized across Canada and in over 40 countries. So you're not locked into Quebec — if life takes you elsewhere, your training travels with you.
Study online from your corner of Greater Montreal
Here's the part we want to be completely straight about, because some schools blur it: the certificate is earned 100% online. We don't have a campus in Pointe-Claire, Saint-Léonard or Griffintown — and we'd rather tell you that than let you assume otherwise. What we have is a program you complete from wherever you already live in the Greater Montreal area, plus optional in-person clinic days at our Montreal and Laval campuses for students who want supervised hands-on practice.
Those clinic days are exactly that — optional. All 600 accredited hours are completed online, and the certificate is issued on the strength of that online work. The clinic days are simply there if you're the kind of learner who wants to put your hands on real models with an instructor beside you before you start working. For most of our local students, a couple of trips into Montreal or Laval is far easier than relocating for a full in-person program.
What you'll actually learn — the 8 modules
The curriculum is built to take a complete beginner from "I love skincare" to "I can safely treat a client." It's organized into eight modules:
- Skin anatomy & physiology — how the skin is built, skin types and conditions, the ageing process, and Fitzpatrick classification (the foundation every safe treatment rests on).
- Professional facials — full step-by-step protocols: cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, masks, massage, and matching the facial to the skin in front of you.
- Client consultation & assessment — intake, health-history review, contraindication screening, skin analysis, and setting honest expectations (the skill that separates a pro from a hobbyist).
- Advanced skin treatments — the theory behind peels, microdermabrasion, hydradermabrasion, LED, microcurrent and collagen-induction, plus safety and aftercare for each.
- Body care & hair removal — body treatments, waxing and other hair-removal methods, brow and lash services, and contraindications.
- Sanitation, hygiene & professional standards — disinfection, sterilization, infection control and the documentation regulated services require.
- Product & ingredient science — cosmetic chemistry, the key actives (AHAs/BHAs, vitamin C, retinoids, niacinamide, peptides) and how to recommend products like a professional.
- The business of esthetics — insurance, pricing, building a client base, retail, retention, and navigating the Canadian medical-spa job market.
And if you ever want to add face-to-face reps, those optional in-person clinic days in Montreal or Laval let you practise on real models under instructor supervision.
Tuition — what it costs, plainly
Tuition is $2,995 CAD for the full 600-hour program. That includes all of your online course material, interactive modules, written assessments, instructor support, and your digital certificate when you finish. No hidden fees on the online program itself. (Prices are in CAD, plus applicable taxes.)
If paying up front isn't realistic right now, there's a 12-month financing option with a $500 administration fee plus applicable interest, arranged at enrollment. Either way, the smartest move is a quick call to 1-888-808-0955 — we'll walk you through both options and which makes more sense for your situation.
How long it takes — the realistic timeline
Because it's self-paced, the duration is genuinely up to you. Students who can dedicate 20–30 hours a week often finish in 3 to 4 months; those balancing the program around full-time work usually land around 5 to 6 months. You have a maximum window of 12 months from enrollment, and there's no penalty for going slowly — you just need to complete all 600 hours and pass your assessments before that window closes. You can enroll any day of the year; there are no cohort start dates to wait for.
Who can enroll
This program is built for beginners, and the bar to start is low on purpose:
- You need to be 17 or older (or have Secondary 4 equivalence).
- No prior esthetics experience or prerequisites — the curriculum builds from the ground up.
- It's open to international students too; no Canadian residency or visa is required to complete the online theory and receive your certificate.
If you're already a nail tech, makeup artist or massage therapist looking to add skincare to your menu, you'll likely move through the foundations quickly — and walk away with an accredited credential that opens medical-spa doors your current certification might not.
What you can do with it — careers, honestly
Let's be honest about jobs, because some schools aren't. We don't promise anyone a guaranteed position or a specific salary — nobody credible can. What we can tell you is true and meaningful: graduates are eligible to apply for professional liability insurance from the day they complete the program, and the CIDESCO/CAMACS credential is recognized by medical-spa and clinic employers across Canada. Being insurable and accredited is the practical foundation of an esthetics career — without it, the better rooms simply can't hire you.
From there, many graduates specialize. The Online Esthetics Certificate satisfies the prerequisite for our advanced specialized certificates: Microneedling (60 hours), Laser Hair Removal, Laser Skin Rejuvenation, Laser Tattoo Removal, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peel and Hydra Dermabrasion. If you know you want the full clinical skill set, the Medical Esthetician Program (830 hours) bundles four of those specialized certificates into a single enrollment at a better combined price. A "Laser Technician" path, for example, is simply this certificate followed by the Laser Hair Removal certificate — that's the real route into the highest-volume service in most clinics.
Your questions, answered
Is it a diploma or a certificate?
It's a Canadian Esthetics Certificate, accredited by CIDESCO and CAMACS. That accreditation — not the label "diploma" — is what insurers and employers actually care about.
Do I have to come to Montreal or relocate?
No. All 600 hours are completed online from wherever you are in Greater Montreal (or anywhere else). The only in-person element is optional clinic days at our Montreal or Laval campus — not required for the certificate.
Is there a campus in Pointe-Claire, Saint-Léonard or Griffintown?
No — the program is online, so you can study from any of those areas. Our optional hands-on clinic days take place at the Montreal and Laval campuses.
How much is tuition?
$2,995 CAD for the full program, or 12-month financing with a $500 admin fee plus interest. Prices are in CAD plus applicable taxes. Call 1-888-808-0955 for details.
How long will it take me?
Typically 3–6 months depending on your weekly hours, with a 12-month maximum. You enroll and start any time.
Do I need any experience to enroll?
None. You just need to be 17+ (or Secondary 4). The program is designed for complete beginners.
Can I work as an esthetician after this?
You'll be eligible to apply for professional liability insurance from graduation, and the credential is recognized by employers across Canada. Provincial licensing rules vary, so confirm your province's requirements — our advisor can help when you call.
What can I specialize in afterward?
Microneedling, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Skin Rejuvenation, Laser Tattoo Removal, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peel, Hydra Dermabrasion — or the bundled 830-hour Medical Esthetician Program.
Ready to start? Let's talk it through
The best first step is a no-pressure conversation. Request your program information through our academy hub — you'll get the full curriculum, accreditation details, and payment options — or simply call 1-888-808-0955 and a program advisor will answer every question, free and with no obligation. One conversation is usually all it takes to see whether this is your path. We'd love to help you start it.
Related reading
General information about treatments and skin care. It is not medical advice and no result is promised or implied. Whether a treatment suits you depends on your skin, your health and your history — that is a judgement for a qualified professional at a consultation. Prices, protocols and device availability change.
