District of Columbia esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia licenses estheticians as an Esthetician Basic through the District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology. The basic esthetician license covers the practice of esthetics as DC law defines it: for a fee and solely for cosmetic purposes, skin enhancing, massage, cleansing and stimulation (not the scalp), makeup, and body hair removal by depilatories, wax or tweezers. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from District of Columbia's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- Not allowed
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- With conditions
- Laser and IPL
- Not allowed
- Botox and fillers
- Not allowed
Licensed by District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in District of Columbia?
No. DC law defines invasive cosmetic procedures that affect skin below the outer layer as the practice of medicine, so estheticians may not perform microneedling.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in District of Columbia?
Only with conditions. Superficial chemical peels at 20% concentration or less with a pH of 3.0 or higher are listed as Level I aesthetic services, which the Board of Medicine policy says may be performed in a salon; the superficial, 20% and pH 3.0 limits are the conditions.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in District of Columbia?
Only with conditions. Superficial dermaplane exfoliation is listed as a Level I aesthetic service that the Board of Medicine policy says may be performed in a salon; only the superficial form is covered.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in District of Columbia?
No. The Board of Medicine lists non-ablative laser hair removal and intense pulsed light hair removal as Level II procedures that may be performed only by persons authorized to practice medicine, so estheticians may not perform them.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in District of Columbia?
No. The Board of Medicine lists botulinum toxin (neuromodulator) injections as Level III procedures that may be performed only by persons authorized to practice medicine.
Advanced license
Does District of Columbia have a master esthetician license?
Esthetician Master/Advanced. The Board lists a higher esthetician license category requiring 600 hours; the official pages do not say what it permits beyond the basic license.
Good to know
What else District of Columbia says about an esthetician's scope
- Level I aesthetic services may be performed in salons where medicine is not practiced, by estheticians or cosmetologists.
- Level II and Level III aesthetic procedures may be performed only as part of a medical practice, even if it is called a med spa.
- The Board of Medicine policy is a non-mandatory directive until the Board adopts regulations on medical spas.
Sources
What District of Columbia's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of District of Columbia's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“Esthetician Basic – 600 hours”
dlcp.dc.gov “general public for a fee the following services solely for cosmetic”
code.dccouncil.gov “enhancing, massaging, cleansing, or stimulating the skin of the human body, except the scalp, by the use of a cosmetic preparation, antiseptic, tonic, lotion, cream, or device, electrical or otherwise”
code.dccouncil.gov “to apply make-up to the face or body”
code.dccouncil.gov “to lighten or darken hair on the body, except the scalp; and to remove hair from the body of an individual by the use of depilatories, wax, or tweezers”
code.dccouncil.gov - Microneedling
“Offering or performing any type of invasive procedure of the body, whether through a body opening or a cutting of the skin, or otherwise affecting the layer of skin below the stratum corneum, for surgical, therapeutic, or cosmetic purposes”
code.dccouncil.gov - Chemical peels
“Superficial chemical peels using less than or equal to a 20% concentration with a pH value of greater than or equal to 3.0.”
doh.dc.gov - Dermaplaning
“Superficial dermaplane exfoliation”
doh.dc.gov - Laser and IPL
“Non-ablative, non-vaporizing lasers for hair removal, only”
doh.dc.gov “Level II and Level III procedures constitute the practice of medicine and may be performed only by persons authorized to practice medicine under D.C. Official Code § 3-1201.02(7).”
doh.dc.gov - Botox and fillers
“Neromodulators (Botulinum toxins)”
doh.dc.gov - Advanced license
“Esthetician Master/Advanced – 600 hours*”
dlcp.dc.gov - The board
“The District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology oversees the practices of barbers, body artists, and cosmetologists, including specialized areas such as braiding, electrolysis, esthetics, and manicuring.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Also good to know
“Level I aesthetic services may be performed in a cosmetic salon or similar facility in which medicine is not practiced by estheticians or cosmetologists”
doh.dc.gov - Also good to know
“Level II and Level III aesthetic procedures may be performed only as part of a medical practice”
doh.dc.gov - Also good to know
“the following policy is a directive in nature and not mandatory”
doh.dc.gov
Questions
District of Columbia esthetician license, answered
Does District of Columbia have a master or advanced esthetician license?
What is the esthetician scope of practice in District of Columbia?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
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- Opening your own skin care studio in District of Columbia: the salon license
Esthetician scope in other states
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