Arkansas esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in Arkansas?
Arkansas licenses estheticians as an Aesthetician through the Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology & Body Art. The basic Aesthetician license covers beautifying the body by cleaning, waxing, externally manipulating, or stimulating it by means of the hands, devices, apparatus, or appliances, with or without cosmetic preparations. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from Arkansas's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- With conditions
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- Not stated
- Laser and IPL
- With conditions
- Botox and fillers
- Not stated
Licensed by Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology & Body Art.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in Arkansas?
Only with conditions. Estheticians may do microneedling only if the service does not penetrate or pierce the skin beyond the epidermis.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in Arkansas?
Only with conditions. Estheticians may use listed chemical exfoliants only within set limits: AHAs up to 50% at a pH of 2 or higher, BHAs up to 20%, TCA up to 20%, and Jessner’s solutions.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in Arkansas?
Not stated. Arkansas's official pages we read do not settle whether a licensed esthetician may do dermaplaning. Ask the Arkansas Department of Health before you offer it.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in Arkansas?
Only with conditions. Estheticians may provide laser services only with a Class 1 or Class 2 device, and the Board's rules bar devices FDA-classified as Class 3, 3a, or 3b or as laser class 3 or 4.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in Arkansas?
Not stated. Arkansas's official pages we read do not settle whether a licensed esthetician may do Botox, fillers and other injections. Ask the Arkansas Department of Health before you offer it.
Advanced license
Does Arkansas have a master esthetician license?
Arkansas's official pages we read name no advanced or master esthetician license; the basic Aesthetician license is the one that sets the scope.
Good to know
What else Arkansas says about an esthetician's scope
- Microblading is outside the esthetician license and requires a Body Art Program license.
- The Board of Nursing position statement says aesthetic procedures shall be prescribed by a physician or an APRN with prescriptive authority.
- Aestheticians' chemical exfoliation is limited to the listed substances, and each strength limit is set by the Board's rules.
Sources
What Arkansas's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Arkansas's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the Arkansas Department of Health before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“(1) “Aesthetician” means any person who engages in the practice of beautifying the body”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Microneedling
“Yes, cosmetologists and aestheticians can perform microneedling services if the service does not penetrate or pierce the skin beyond the epidermis.”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Chemical peels
“A licensed cosmetologist and aesthetician may use the following chemical exfoliation substances:”
arkleg.state.ar.us “No more than 20% beta hydroxyl acid (BHAs which include salicylic acid);”
arkleg.state.ar.us “No more than 20%Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)”
arkleg.state.ar.us - Laser and IPL
“Yes, an individual licensed as a cosmetologist or aesthetician may provide laser services with a Class 1 or Class 2 device only”
healthy.arkansas.gov “Must not be classified by the FDA as a Class 3, 3a, or 3b device, or a laser”
arkleg.state.ar.us - The board
“Cosmetology & Body Art - Arkansas Department of Health”
healthy.arkansas.gov “The Department of Health shall admit to examination for a license as a cosmetologist,”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Also good to know
“No, cosmetologists and Aestheticians cannot perform microblading services.”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Also good to know
“Aesthetic procedures shall be prescribed by a qualified physician or an APRN with prescriptive authority.”
healthy.arkansas.gov
Questions
Arkansas esthetician license, answered
What is the esthetician scope of practice in Arkansas?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
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- Microblading and permanent makeup in Arkansas: the license it needs
- Opening your own skin care studio in Arkansas: the salon license
Esthetician scope in other states
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