May an esthetician or laser technician perform microneedling, state by state
The same question, answered for 51 states from each state’s own law. States disagree on this, which is the point — an answer that is right in one is wrong next door. Every entry below is a statute or board rule we verified, most recently Sep 8, 2026.
Who treats · part of The Practice Perimeter
Alabama
(6) Level 2 Delegate - A Level 2 Delegate is a licensed practicing nurse (LPN) or medical assistant to include Medical Examiners Chapter 540-X-11 Revised 3/16/26 11-3 aestheticians, cosmetologists, and laser technicians authorized in a written job description or protocol to use a specific laser/pulsed light device or other energy source, chemical or other modality for non-ablative procedures, as designated in the written job description or protocol, and who has met the educational requirements for a Level 2 Delegate as stated in these rules.
Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-11-.02(6) (definition of “Level 2 Delegate”) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The full Alabama answer, with the rest of the section →Alaska
For the purposes of AS 08.13.220 (5), (1) "appliances" in the field of esthetics means only those devices used to stimulate natural physiological processes intended to improve the health and appearance of a person's skin; a device (A) operates within the manufacturer's guidelines; (B) does not directly ablate or destroy live tissue; (C) does not involve an incision into skin beyond the epidermis;
12 AAC 09.990(b)(1)(A)-(C) (Definitions — “appliances” in the field of esthetics) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Alaska answer, with the rest of the section →Arizona
ARIZONA’S DEFINITION OF AESTHETICS WAS READ IN FULL AND IS A CLOSED LIST OF THREE SURFACE PRACTICES. “AESTHETICS” MEANS “MASSAGING, CLEANSING, STIMULATING, MANIPULATING, EXERCISING, BEAUTIFYING OR APPLYING OILS, CREAMS, ANTISEPTICS, CLAYS, LOTIONS OR OTHER PREPARATIONS, EITHER BY HAND OR BY MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES”; “ARCHING EYEBROWS OR TINTING EYEBROWS AND EYELASHES”; and “REMOVING SUPERFLUOUS HAIR BY MEANS OTHER THAN ELECTROLYSIS OR THREADING” — each qualified as performed “FOR COSMETIC PURPOSES”. Nothing in the definition describes puncturing skin. An absence in this definition, not a finding that Arizona prohibits microneedling.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-501(2) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Arizona answer, with the rest of the section →Arkansas
“Aesthetician” means any person who engages in the practice of beautifying the body by cleaning, waxing, externally manipulating, or stimulating the body by means of the hands, devices, apparatus, or appliances with or without the use of cosmetic: (A) Preparations; (B) Antiseptics; (C) Tonics; (D) Lotions; and (E) Creams;
17 CAR § 54-201(1) (Definitions for cosmetology and related branches — “Aesthetician”) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Arkansas answer, with the rest of the section →California
✅ CALIFORNIA WRITES THE LIMIT INTO THE DEFINITION OF SKIN CARE, IN TISSUE TERMS. The practice of skin care is “GIVING FACIALS, MASSAGING, STIMULATING, EXFOLIATING, CLEANSING, OR BEAUTIFYING THE FACE, SCALP, NECK, HANDS, ARMS, FEET, LEGS, OR UPPER PART OF THE HUMAN BODY BY THE USE OF HANDS, ESTHETIC DEVICES, COSMETIC PRODUCTS, ANTISEPTICS, LOTIONS, TONICS, OR CREAMS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING THE APPEARANCE OR WELL-BEING OF THE SKIN THAT DO NOT RESULT IN THE ABLATION OR DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVE TISSUE.” California permits esthetic DEVICES by name — and then bounds every one of them by what it does to live tissue.
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7316(c)(1) · verified Sep 2, 2026 · read at Public.Law — California Codes
The full California answer, with the rest of the section →Colorado
⚠️ AND THE SAME SENTENCE CLOSES TWO LOOPHOLES. “NOTHING IN THIS EXEMPTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO EXTEND OR LIMIT THE SCOPE OF ANY LICENSE” — delegation cannot enlarge what a nurse or esthetician may already do. And the exemption “SHALL NOT APPLY TO PERSONS OTHERWISE QUALIFIED TO PRACTICE MEDICINE BUT NOT LICENSED TO PRACTICE IN THIS STATE” — a physician unlicensed in Colorado cannot work as somebody’s delegate.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-240-107(3)(l) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Colorado answer, with the rest of the section →Connecticut
“Esthetics” means services related to skin care treatments, (A) including, but not limited to, cleansing, toning, stimulating, exfoliating or performing any similar procedure on the human body while using cosmetic preparations, hands, devices, apparatus or appliances to enhance or improve the appearance of the skin; makeup application; beautifying lashes and brows; or removing unwanted hair using manual and mechanical means, and (B) excluding the use of a prescriptive laser device; the performance of a cosmetic medical procedure, as defined in section 19a-903c ; any practice, activity or treatment that constitutes the practice of medicine;
Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-265a(4) (“Esthetics” defined — exclusions) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Connecticut answer, with the rest of the section →Delaware
An aesthetician is not authorized to prescribe medication or provide medical treatment in the same manner as a dermatologist.
24 Del. C. §5124(1) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Delaware answer, with the rest of the section →District of Columbia
Esthetics – the application of creams, lotions, scrubs, polishes, waxes, cosmetics, eyelashes, and other beauty treatments directly onto the skin to bring about a temporary improvement in appearance, excluding peels and microdermabrasion; and the removal of superfluous hair from the face and neck area of any person by the use of depilatories, waxing or tweezers. Master esthetics - esthetics and more specialized skincare treatments, including microdermabrasion, resurfacing, and chemical peel.
17 DCMR § 3799.1 (Definitions — “Esthetics”; “Master esthetics”) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full District of Columbia answer, with the rest of the section →Florida
⚠️ FLORIDA WRITES THE MEDICAL EXCLUSION INTO THE DEFINITION OF COSMETOLOGY ITSELF. “COSMETOLOGY” MEANS “THE MECHANICAL OR CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF THE HEAD, FACE, AND SCALP FOR AESTHETIC RATHER THAN MEDICAL PURPOSES”. The facial specialty is no wider: “FACIALS, OR THE MASSAGING OR TREATING OF THE FACE OR SCALP WITH OILS, CREAMS, LOTIONS, OR OTHER PREPARATIONS, AND SKIN CARE SERVICES.” So in Florida the question is not whether microneedling is listed — it is whether the treatment is for a medical purpose, which the license does not reach either way.
Fla. Stat. § 477.013(4), (6)(c) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Florida answer, with the rest of the section →Georgia
✅ GEORGIA EXCLUDES MEDICAL AESTHETICS FROM THE ESTHETICS LICENSE BY NAME, IN THE DEFINITION ITSELF. After listing the four practices an esthetician may perform, the statute closes: “SUCH PRACTICES OF ESTHETICS SHALL NOT INCLUDE THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, OR THERAPY OF ANY DERMATOLOGICAL CONDITION OR MEDICAL AESTHETICS OR THE USE OF LASERS.” Few states name “medical aesthetics” as a category and put it outside the license; Georgia does.
O.C.G.A. § 43-10-1(8) · verified Sep 2, 2026 · read at FindLaw Codes
The full Georgia answer, with the rest of the section →Hawaii
"Esthetician" means a person licensed in the State who, with hands or nonmedically prescribed mechanical or electrical apparatus or devices or by use of cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams, engages for compensation in any of the following practices: (1) Massaging, cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, exercising, beautifying, or doing similar work on the scalp, face, neck, hands, arms, bust, upper part of the body, legs, or feet; (2) Cleansing, exfoliating, wrapping, or doing similar work upon the entire body, without direct contact by the hands and utilizing gloves, loofah mitts, or brushes; or (3) Removing superfluous hair about the body of any person by means other than electrolysis.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 439A-2 ("Esthetician") · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Hawaii answer, with the rest of the section →Idaho
"Esthetics" means noninvasive care of the skin by application of cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams and essential oils to cleanse, massage, exfoliate, hydrate and stimulate; makeup application; pore extraction; use of chemical exfoliants approved for professional esthetic use; particle exfoliation; use of any class I medical device, as classified by the United States food and drug administration, designed for care of the skin, except that a class II medical device designed for care of the skin may be used as directed and supervised by an authorized and licensed health care practitioner.
Idaho Code §54-5802(14) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Idaho answer, with the rest of the section →Illinois
✅ ILLINOIS NAMES MICRONEEDLING AS THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, AND SETS NO DEPTH THAT MAKES IT LAWFUL. IDFPR has stated that the following are the practice of medicine and outside the scope of a cosmetologist or esthetician: botulinum toxin, chemical peels other than superficial peels, collagen injections, colonics, liposuction, microblading, microneedling and radiofrequency. Unlike the states that draw a depth line, Illinois puts the procedure itself on the far side of the license.
IDFPR Statement on Prohibited Practices (IDFPR/IDPH med spa memo) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Illinois answer, with the rest of the section →Indiana
INDIANA’S ESTHETICIAN DEFINITION WAS READ IN FULL AND IS A CLOSED LIST WITH A MEDICAL CARVE-OUT. An esthetician is “A PERSON WHO ENGAGES SOLELY IN ONE (1) OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING PRACTICES”: “GIVING FACIALS, APPLYING MAKEUP, AND GIVING SKIN CARE”; “BEAUTIFYING, MASSAGING, OR CLEANING THE BODY WITH THE USE OF COSMETIC PREPARATIONS, ANTISEPTICS, TONICS, LOTIONS, OR CREAMS”; and removing superfluous hair “BY THE USE OF DEPILATORIES, WAXING, OR TWEEZERS”. The term expressly “DOES NOT INCLUDE PERFORMING ANY OF THE ACTS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (A)… IN TREATING AN ILLNESS OR A DISEASE” No act of puncturing appears — an absence in this definition.
Ind. Code § 25-8-2-9.5 · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Indiana answer, with the rest of the section →Iowa
Provide on-site review of medical aesthetic services performed by qualified licensed or certified nonphysician persons or qualified laser technicians each week and review at least 10 percent of patient charts for medical aesthetic services performed by qualified licensed or certified nonphysician persons or qualified laser technicians;
Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—655.6(5)(d) (Supervision) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The full Iowa answer, with the rest of the section →Kansas
"Esthetician" means any person who, for compensation practices the profession of cosmetology only to the following extent: Eyebrow and eyelash services, cleansing, stimulating or performing any other noninvasive beautifying process on any skin surface by means of hands or mechanical or electrical appliances, other than electric needles, provided for esthetic rather than medical purposes; temporary hair removal from the face or any part of the body by use of the hands or mechanical or electrical appliances other than electric needles; or using cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, lotions, creams or other preparations in performing any of the practices described in this subsection.
Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-1901(f) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Kansas answer, with the rest of the section →Kentucky
No person shall engage in the practice of cosmetology, esthetic practices, or nail technology for other than cosmetic purposes nor shall any person engage in the practice of cosmetology, esthetic practices, or nail technology for the treatment of physical or mental ailments. This chapter does not apply to persons authorized by the law of this state to practice medicine, podiatry, optometry, dentistry, chiropractic, nursing, or embalming who perform incidental practices of cosmetology, esthetic practices, and nail technology in the normal course of the practice of their profession.
Ky. Rev. Stat. §317A.020(1) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Kentucky answer, with the rest of the section →Louisiana
No license or permit issued by the board authorizes the performance of any of the following services in a salon licensed by the board: micro-needling; micro-blading; services or procedures which penetrate or invade the live tissue or dermis by any means including but not limited to the use of instruments or product insertion, puncturing, cutting, needling or chemical exfoliation.
La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XXXI, § 717(A)(3)-(5) (Prohibited Services) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Louisiana answer, with the rest of the section →Maine
The practice of aesthetics under this subsection does not include the diagnosis, treatment or therapy of any dermatological condition.
32 M.R.S. §14202(7) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Maine answer, with the rest of the section →Maryland
“Provide esthetic services” means to provide to an individual, for compensation, the service of: (i) cleansing, exercising, exfoliating, massaging, cosmetic microneedling, stimulating, toning, or performing any other similar procedure on the skin or scalp by electrical, mechanical, or any other means; “Provide esthetic services” does not include: (i) the diagnosis of illness, disease, or injury; or (ii) performing ablation of the dermis or hypodermis.
Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. §5-101(o)(1)(i), (3) (“Provide esthetic services” — cosmetic microneedling included; ablation of the dermis excluded) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Maryland answer, with the rest of the section →Massachusetts
⚠️ MASSACHUSETTS PUTS A CEILING ON AESTHETICS WITHOUT SAYING WHERE IT SITS. The defined acts are “CLEANSING, STIMULATING, MANIPULATING AND BEAUTIFYING OF THE SKIN USING HANDS, MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES, COSMETIC PREPARATIONS, TONICS, LOTIONS OR CREAMS” — and then the limit: “PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT AESTHETICS ONLY INCLUDES METHODS THAT ARE MINIMALLY INVASIVE AND POSE A MINIMAL RISK TO THE PUBLIC’S HEALTH AS DEFINED BY THE BOARD.” The statute does not itself say whether a needling device clears that bar; it hands that judgment to the board.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 87T (definition of “Aesthetics”) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Massachusetts answer, with the rest of the section →Michigan
✅ MICHIGAN ANSWERS THIS WITH A HARD DEPTH CEILING, IN ONE SENTENCE. Having listed the skin care services an esthetician or cosmetologist may perform, the statute closes: “AS APPLICABLE, A SKIN CARE SERVICE DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (2) MUST BE LIMITED TO AN INDIVIDUAL’S STRATUM CORNEUM.” Microneedling is designed to puncture past that layer, and it appears nowhere in the list of permitted services.
Mich. Comp. Laws § 339.1210(3) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Michigan answer, with the rest of the section →Minnesota
The exemption that a med spa would reach for is SCOPE-LIMITED. Section 147.081 does not restrict “any person licensed by a health-related licensing board … PROVIDED THAT THE PERSON CONFINES ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE LICENSE.” Holding a nursing or esthetics license is therefore not itself an answer — the question is whether the act is inside THAT license’s scope.
Minn. Stat. § 147.09(9) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Minnesota answer, with the rest of the section →Mississippi
“Esthetics” means any one (1) or a combination of the following practices: (i) Massaging the face or neck of a person. (ii) Arching eyebrows to include trimming, tweezing, waxing, threading or any other method of epilation. (iii) Tinting eyelashes or eyebrows. (iv) Waxing. (v) Stimulating, cleaning or beautifying the face, neck, arms or legs of a person by any method with the aid of the hands or any mechanical or electrical apparatus, or by the use of a cosmetic preparation. The terms “cosmetology,” barbering,” “esthetics” and “nail technology” shall not include the diagnosis, treatment or therapy of any dermatological condition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 73-7-2 (“Esthetics”) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Mississippi answer, with the rest of the section →Missouri
"Class E - estheticians" includes the use of mechanical, electrical apparatuses or appliances, or by the use of cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions or creams, not to exceed ten percent phenol, engages for compensation, either directly or indirectly, in any one, or any combination, of the following practices: massaging, cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, exercising, beautifying or similar work upon the scalp, face, neck, ears, arms, hands, bust, torso, legs or feet and removing superfluous hair by means other than electric needle or any other means of arching or tinting eyebrows or tinting eyelashes, of any person.
Mo. Rev. Stat. §329.010(5)(d) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Missouri answer, with the rest of the section →Montana
"Esthetics" means skin care of the body, including but not limited to hot compresses or the use of safety-approved electrical appliances or chemical compounds formulated for professional application only and the temporary removal of superfluous hair by means of lotions, creams, or mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliances on another person.
Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-101(14) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Montana answer, with the rest of the section →Nebraska
⛔ THE BOARD BOUNDS ESTHETICS TO THE SURFACE, WHICH IS WHERE A MICRONEEDLING QUESTION IS ANSWERED. 002.02 ESTHETICS . The definition of esthetics is set out in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1026. The practice of esthetics is upon the skin or epidermis. The rule bounds the license to the epidermis and does not name microneedling.
Neb. Admin. Code tit. 172, ch. 36, § 002.02 (⛔ esthetics is practiced UPON THE EPIDERMIS) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Nebraska answer, with the rest of the section →Nevada
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a licensee shall not perform any invasive procedure that includes, without limitation: (c) The penetration of the skin by needles; The provisions of paragraph (c) of subsection 1 do not apply to the use of needles by a licensed advanced esthetician for the purpose of microneedling, microchanneling or dermarolling if: (a) The gauge and penetration of the needles do not exceed 1.5 mm, unless the advanced esthetician is being directly supervised by a health care professional; and (b) The needles are not used for an ablative esthetic medical procedure, to remove blood or to inject any substance, including, without limitation, a controlled substance.
Nev. Admin. Code §644A.790(1)(c), (3) (Prohibited invasive procedures; exceptions) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Nevada answer, with the rest of the section →New Hampshire
Esthetics means giving facials, applying makeup, giving therapeutic skin care treatments, removing superfluous hair, or applying eyelashes to any person; beautifying the face, neck, arms, and shoulders, by use of cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams; massaging, cleansing, or stimulating the face, neck, arms, and shoulders, by means of the hands, devices, apparatus, or appliances, with the use of cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams; or providing pedicure and manicure services.
N.H. Rev. Stat. §313-A:1, VIII (“Esthetics” defined) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full New Hampshire answer, with the rest of the section →New Jersey
✅ NEW JERSEY DRAWS THE LINE AT THE STRATUM CORNEUM, WHICH IS THE LAYER MICRONEEDLING IS DESIGNED TO CROSS. A cosmetology licensee shall not “PERFORM OR OFFER TO PERFORM MASSAGING, CLEANSING OR STIMULATING OF THE SKIN, WITH OR WITHOUT COSMETIC PREPARATIONS, BY HAND, MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, BELOW THE STRATUM CORNEUM, THEREBY AFFECTING THE LIVING CELLS OF THE EPIDERMIS.” Doing so “SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE ENGAGED IN UNLAWFUL PRACTICE PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 45:5B-13(E)”.
N.J.A.C. 13:28-2.15(a), (b)(2) · verified Sep 2, 2026 · read at Cornell Legal Information Institute
The full New Jersey answer, with the rest of the section →New Mexico
⛔ NEW MEXICO CLOSES THE ESTHETICIAN LIST, WHICH IS HOW THE MICRONEEDLING QUESTION IS ANSWERED. 16.34.5.12 ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: an esthetician license permits the practitioner to use cosmetic preparations on the skin for cleansing and stimulating, apply massage and manipulation techniques using the hands or mechanical apparatus, use specialized skin care and facial machines in applying facial treatments, apply cosmetic makeup preparations, and remove superfluous or unwanted hair from the body of a person by any means except electrolysis or other invasive techniques and shaving. An esthetician shall not perform any services other than those listed above. To do so may lead to revocation of the license or other disciplinary action by the board.
16.34.5.12 NMAC (⛔ a CLOSED list, and invasive techniques are excluded by name) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full New Mexico answer, with the rest of the section →New York
The Board grades energy devices by how deep they act and who may therefore operate them. Class I (surface only — e.g. handheld LED) is not the practice of medicine and may be performed by trained non-licensed professionals such as aestheticians. Class II (non-ablative devices including IPL and non-ablative hair-removal lasers) and Class IIIa (low-risk devices such as low-level laser therapy) are also not the practice of medicine, but require trained non-licensed personnel to work under supervision. Class IIIb (medium-powered, upper dermis — e.g. Thermage) and Class IV (high-powered, dermis and deeper — e.g. CO2 resurfacing, deep RF, laser lipolysis) ARE the practice of medicine; Class IIIb requires licensed medical professionals or supervised personnel, and Class IV is restricted to licensed medical professionals exclusively.
N.Y. State Board for Medicine — Use of Energy Devices Including Lasers as the Practice of Medicine (Mar. 7, 2025), Energy Device Classification Table · verified Aug 17, 2026
The full New York answer, with the rest of the section →North Carolina
NORTH CAROLINA’S STATUTORY DEFINITION OF ESTHETICS WAS READ IN FULL AND REACHES THE SURFACE ONLY. It covers “GIVING FACIALS; APPLYING MAKEUP; PERFORMING SKIN CARE”, hair removal “BY USE OF CREAMS, TWEEZERS, OR WAXING”, eyelash work, beautifying “BY USE OF COSMETIC PREPARATIONS, ANTISEPTICS, TONICS, LOTIONS, OR CREAMS”, “SURFACE MANIPULATION IN RELATION TO SKIN CARE”, and “CLEANING OR STIMULATING” the body “BY MEANS OF HANDS, DEVICES, APPARATUS, OR APPLIANCES ALONG WITH THE USE OF COSMETIC PREPARATIONS, ANTISEPTICS, TONICS, LOTIONS, OR CREAMS.” Every device use in the definition is paired with a topical preparation; no act of puncturing appears. An absence in the definition.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 88B-2(11a) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full North Carolina answer, with the rest of the section →North Dakota
"Advanced esthetics" means the practice of advanced cosmetic preparations or procedures using the hands or a mechanical or electronic apparatus for esthetic purposes. a. The term includes: (1) Advanced chemical peels; (2) Microneedling; (3) Nonablative procedures; and (4) Extractions using lancets. b. The term does not include: (1) Procedures to treat a medical, physical, or mental ailment; or (2) Ablative esthetic procedures.
N.D. Cent. Code § 43-11-01(3) (“Advanced esthetics” defined — microneedling) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full North Dakota answer, with the rest of the section →Ohio
OHIO’S STATUTORY DEFINITION OF ESTHETICS WAS READ IN FULL AND AUTHORIZES NOTHING THAT BREAKS THE SKIN. “PRACTICE OF ESTHETICS” MEANS “THE APPLICATION OF COSMETICS, TONICS, ANTISEPTICS, CREAMS, LOTIONS, OR OTHER PREPARATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SKIN BEAUTIFICATION AND INCLUDES PREPARATION OF THE SKIN BY MANUAL MASSAGE TECHNIQUES OR BY USE OF ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, OR OTHER APPARATUS; ENHANCEMENT OF THE SKIN BY SKIN CARE, FACIALS, BODY TREATMENTS, HAIR REMOVAL, AND OTHER TREATMENTS; AND EYE LASH EXTENSION SERVICES.” Microneedling is not named, and neither is any act of puncturing. This is an absence in the definition, not a finding that Ohio prohibits it.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4713.01(GG) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Ohio answer, with the rest of the section →Oklahoma
Scope of practice for Cosmetologists and Facialists/Estheticians: cosmetology expressly does not include services that puncture the skin or that are within the scope of practice of the healing arts pursuant to 59 O.S., § 199.1 and OAC 175:1 - 1 - 2. “puncturing the skin” is defined as perforating the skin by any means, including, but not limited to: (C) Microneedling or “collagen induction treatment or therapy,” which is a procedure that uses a multi - needled device to create microchannels in the skin at a depth greater than 0.25 mm to stimulate the body’s natural healing process while minimizing cellular damage;
Okla. Admin. Code § 175:10-7-29(a), (a)(1)(C) (Scope of practice for Cosmetologists and Facialists/Estheticians — microneedling is puncturing the skin) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Oklahoma answer, with the rest of the section →Oregon
An esthetician is limited to performing services with mechanical or electric apparatuses, appliances, or devices that do not penetrate beyond the epidermis except through natural physiological effects as defined in OAR 817-015-0045. An esthetician may use mechanical or electrical apparatuses, appliances, or devices that include, but are not limited to, the following: (f) Mechanical or electrical apparatuses, appliances, or devices used for nanoneedling, microneedling, and similar procedures;
Or. Admin. R. 817-015-0040(1), (2)(f) (Definition of Esthetics Device) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Oregon answer, with the rest of the section →Pennsylvania
PENNSYLVANIA’S DEFINITION OF ESTHETICS WAS READ IN FULL AND DESCRIBES SURFACE WORK ONLY. It is “THE PRACTICE OF MASSAGING THE FACE, APPLYING COSMETIC PREPARATIONS, ANTISEPTICS, TONICS, LOTIONS OR CREAMS TO THE FACE, REMOVING SUPERFLUOUS HAIR BY TWEEZERS, DEPILATORIES OR WAXES, EYELASH PERMING AND THE DYEING OF EYELASHES AND EYEBROWS”, and “THE TERM INCLUDES THE USE OF INDUSTRY STANDARD MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES IN THE PRACTICE OF ESTHETICS.” The apparatus clause carries no depth or penetration language, and nothing in the definition describes puncturing skin. An absence in this definition.
49 Pa. Code § 7.1 (definition of “Esthetics”) · verified Sep 2, 2026 · read at Cornell Legal Information Institute
The full Pennsylvania answer, with the rest of the section →Rhode Island
“Esthetics” means the practice of cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, and beautifying skin, including, but not limited to, the treatment of such skin problems as dehydration, temporary capillary dilation, excessive oiliness, and clogged pores.
R.I. Gen. Laws §5-10-1(8) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Rhode Island answer, with the rest of the section →South Carolina
⚠️ SOUTH CAROLINA DEFINES THE ESTHETICIAN BY PURPOSE, AND THE PURPOSE IS THE SURFACE OF THE SKIN. "Esthetician" means a person including, but not limited to, an independent contractor, who is licensed to practice skin care, make-up, or similar work. Skin care is for the sole purpose of beautifying the skin. Nothing in that definition reaches puncturing the skin, and microneedling is not named anywhere in Chapter 13. An operator should read this as the limit of the COSMETOLOGY license, not as a statewide ban — the medical side of the line is §40-47-20(36).
S.C. Code §40-13-20(5) (⛔ definition of “Esthetician” — skin care for the SOLE PURPOSE of beautifying the skin) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full South Carolina answer, with the rest of the section →South Dakota
A person is engaged in the practice of esthetics if that person, for compensation, a fee, or any valuable consideration, engages in beautifying, massaging, cleansing, exfoliating, stimulating, or applying oils, creams, cosmetic preparations, make-up, facial treatments, body treatments, body wraps, antiseptics, scrubs, clays, lotions, masks, waxes, or other preparations for the noninvasive care of the skin. For purposes of this subdivision, noninvasive means confined to the nonliving cells of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. Such practices shall be in a superficial mode and not for the treatment of medical disorders, and living cells may never be altered, cut, or damaged.
S.D. Codified Laws §36-15-2.2(1) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full South Dakota answer, with the rest of the section →Tennessee
TENNESSEE’S DEFINITION OF AESTHETICS WAS READ IN FULL AND IS THREE SURFACE PRACTICES. “AESTHETICS” MEANS “MASSAGING, CLEANSING, STIMULATING, MANIPULATING, EXERCISING, BEAUTIFYING OR SIMILAR WORK WITH HANDS OR MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS OR BY THE USE OF COSMETIC PREPARATIONS, ANTISEPTICS, TONICS, LOTIONS OR CREAMS”; “PLACING OR APPLYING ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES”; or “GIVING FACIALS, APPLYING MAKEUP, GIVING SKIN CARE OR REMOVING SUPERFLUOUS HAIR BY TWEEZING, DEPILATORIES OR WAXING”. No act of puncturing appears, and the apparatus clause sets no depth. An absence in this definition, not a finding that Tennessee prohibits microneedling.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-4-102(a)(1) · verified Sep 2, 2026 · read at FindLaw Codes
The full Tennessee answer, with the rest of the section →Texas
⚠️ TEXAS DRAWS THE ESTHETICIAN LINE AT LIVING TISSUE, AND MICRONEEDLING IS A DEVICE THAT PUNCTURES IT. TDLR states the test twice. On exfoliation: a treatment that “DOES NOT PIERCE THE DERMAL LAYER OF SKIN” is within scope, while treatments that “CONTACT OR PENETRATE THE DERMIS (LIVING TISSUE) DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE SCOPE OF AN ESTHETICIAN OR COSMETOLOGY OPERATOR LICENSE AND MUST BE ADMINISTERED OR DELEGATED BY A PHYSICIAN.” On peels, the same line: those that “PENETRATE THE DERMIS (LIVING TISSUE) AND ARE CONSIDERED MEDICAL PROCEDURES REGULATED BY THE TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD.” TDLR’S GUIDANCE DOES NOT NAME MICRONEEDLING — it states a depth test, and a needle depth is the operator’s setting.
TDLR Barbering and Cosmetology — Medical Spas guidance · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Texas answer, with the rest of the section →Utah
the supervisor supervising the procedure shall: (i) have an unrestricted license to practice medicine or advanced practice registered nursing; (ii) personally perform the nonablative cosmetic medical procedure or: (A) authorize and provide general cosmetic medical procedure supervision for the nonablative cosmetic medical procedure that is performed by a registered nurse or a master esthetician; or (B) authorize and provide supervision as provided in Chapter 70a, Utah Physician Assistant Act, for the nonablative cosmetic medical procedure that is performed by a physician assistant; and (C) authorize and provide direct cosmetic medical procedure supervision for the nonablative cosmetic medical procedure that is performed by an esthetician or a practical nurse;
Utah Code § 58-1-506(3)(b) (Supervision of cosmetic medical procedures) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The full Utah answer, with the rest of the section →Vermont
Esthetics means services related to skin-care treatments to enhance or improve the appearance of the skin, including cleansing, toning, stimulating, manipulating, beautifying, exfoliating, or performing any similar procedure on the human body using only cosmetic preparations, hands, mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliances, tonics, lotions, creams, or makeup; beautifying lashes and brows; and removing unwanted hair using manual and mechanical means.
Vt. Stat. tit. 26, §1(4)(A) (“Esthetics” defined) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Vermont answer, with the rest of the section →Virginia
⚠️ VIRGINIA SETTLES THIS BY DEFINITION RATHER THAN BY NAMING THE PROCEDURE. “ESTHETICS IS NOT A HEALING ART AND SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PRACTICE, ACTIVITY, OR TREATMENT THAT CONSTITUTES THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE, OR CHIROPRACTIC.” The licensed acts are surface acts — “CLEANSING, TONING, PERFORMING EFFLEURAGE OR OTHER RELATED MOVEMENTS, STIMULATING, EXFOLIATING, OR PERFORMING ANY OTHER SIMILAR PROCEDURE ON THE SKIN” — and every device permitted is qualified as “ANY NONLASER DEVICE.” Microneedling is nowhere in the definition, so the question in Virginia is whether puncturing skin is the practice of medicine, not whether an esthetics license lists it.
Va. Code § 54.1-700 (definition of “esthetics”) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Virginia answer, with the rest of the section →Washington
⚠️ WASHINGTON HAS TWO ESTHETICS LICENSES, AND THE ANSWER DIFFERS BETWEEN THEM. The ordinary “PRACTICE OF ESTHETICS” is surface work — “SUPERFICIAL AND LIGHT PEELS”, “SUPERFICIAL SKIN STIMULATION”, “PORE EXTRACTION”, by any device “EXCEPT LASER” — and it closes with a flat exclusion: “UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DOES THE PRACTICE OF ESTHETICS INCLUDE THE ADMINISTRATION OF INJECTIONS.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 18.16.020(30) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Washington answer, with the rest of the section →West Virginia
⛔ WEST VIRGINIA ENUMERATES WHAT AESTHETICS IS, SO THE MICRONEEDLING ANSWER IS READ OFF THE LIST RATHER THAN INFERRED. “Aesthetics” or “esthetics” means any one or any combination of the following acts when done on the human body for compensation and not for the treatment of disease: (1) Administering cosmetic treatments to enhance or improve the appearance of the skin, including cleansing, toning, performing effleurage or other related movements, stimulating, exfoliating, or performing any other similar procedure on the skin of the human body or scalp; The list is closed — "any one or any combination of the following acts" — and every act on it is worked ON the skin. Microneedling punctures it. Nothing in this definition describes penetrating the skin, and the whole definition is bounded by "not for the treatment of disease".
W. Va. Code § 30-27-3(a) (⛔ aesthetics is a CLOSED list of surface acts, and none of them break skin) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full West Virginia answer, with the rest of the section →Wisconsin
✅ WISCONSIN ANSWERS THIS DIRECTLY — AND IT IS ONE OF THE FEW THAT DOES. Microneedling is listed by name as a DELEGATED MEDICAL PROCEDURE, and the rule that governs those says licensees “MAY PROVIDE CLIENT SERVICES CONSTITUTING MEDICAL PROCEDURES ONLY AS DIRECTED, SUPERVISED AND INSPECTED BY A PHYSICIAN WHO HAS THE POWER TO DIRECT, DECIDE AND OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLIENT SERVICES PROVIDED IN LICENSED ESTABLISHMENTS.” So an esthetician may perform it, but only under that physician relationship — not on an esthetics license alone.
Wis. Admin. Code § Cos 2.025(1), (2)(d) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Wisconsin answer, with the rest of the section →Wyoming
Within the esthetics scope of practice: (v) Procedures which pierce the epidermal or dermal layer of the skin are considered invasive and are prohibited. (vi) Using the term or title of "Medical Esthetician" is not allowed.
Wyo. Bd. of Cosmetology Rules ch. 1 § 6(c)(v)-(vi) (Scope of Practice — Esthetics; ref. 033.0001.1.04012026) · verified Sep 7, 2026
The full Wyoming answer, with the rest of the section →Which states this covers
51 of the 51 states for which we publish statute-cited rules. That is not every state, and nothing above should be read as describing one that is not listed — the answer genuinely differs, so a neighbouring state is not a guide. We monitor all 50 state legislatures plus the FDA and the Federal Register daily; the cited rule set is narrower than the monitoring and is growing on its own timetable.
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