Kentucky esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in Kentucky?
Kentucky licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. A licensed esthetician may perform esthetic practices such as facials, exfoliating and removal of superfluous hair, subject to the board's limits on chemical exfoliation, dermaplaning and devices, and to listed procedures that need a physician's immediate supervision. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from Kentucky'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
- With conditions
Licensed by Kentucky Board of Cosmetology.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in Kentucky?
No. The board's rule lists microneedling procedures as prohibited for estheticians, and none of the listed exceptions covers microneedling.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in Kentucky?
Only with conditions. Estheticians may do only limited chemical exfoliation: alpha hydroxy acids of 30% or less at a pH of 3.0 or higher, or salicylic acid of 15% or less, with no mixing or layering. Acids that exfoliate below the stratum corneum need direct supervision by a licensed health care practitioner.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in Kentucky?
Only with conditions. Basic dermaplaning is allowed for licensed estheticians who have given the board documentation of dermaplaning courses and specialized training. Advanced dermaplaning requires direct supervision by a licensed physician.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in Kentucky?
No. The board's rule bars any procedure in which human tissue is cut or altered by laser energy, even though state law lists laser treatments among activities that need a physician's immediate supervision.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in Kentucky?
Only with conditions. Botox and collagen injections are allowed only under a licensed physician's immediate supervision, meaning the physician is physically present in the same room. The sources do not address dermal fillers or other injections.
Advanced license
Does Kentucky have a master esthetician license?
Kentucky's official pages we read name no advanced or master esthetician license; the basic Esthetician license is the one that sets the scope.
Good to know
What else Kentucky says about an esthetician's scope
- Under the board's rule, immediate supervision means a licensed physician is physically present in the same room and overseeing the activities of the esthetician at all times.
- Medical procedures are barred for estheticians under the board's rule.
- A prescription medical device regulated by the FDA may be used by an esthetician only under a licensed physician's immediate supervision.
Sources
What Kentucky's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Kentucky's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“"Esthetician" means a person who is licensed by the board to engage in esthetic practices in the”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Beautifying, cleansing, cosmetic preparations, exfoliating, facials, makeup, removal of superfluous”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Microneedling
“Dermaplane procedures, dermabrasion procedures, microneedling procedures, blades, knives, and lancets are prohibited, except for:”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “"Microneedling" means the use of multiple tiny solid needles designed to pierce the skin for the purpose of stimulating collagen production or cellular renewal.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Chemical peels
“This includes services such as acid or chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and other forms of exfoliation or resurfacing of a cosmetic nature.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “The use of any acid or acid solution, which would exfoliate the skin below the stratum corneum, including those listed in subsection (2) of this section shall not be used unless under the direct supervision of a licensed health care practitioner.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Limited chemical exfoliation for a basic esthetician shall not include the mixing, combining, or layering of skin exfoliation products or services, but shall include:”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Alpha hydroxy acids of thirty (30) percent or less, with a pH of not less than three (3.0); and”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Salicylic acid of fifteen (15) percent or less.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Dermaplaning
“Dermaplaning procedures for basic exfoliation shall only be conducted by individuals who:”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Have provided documentation to the board demonstrating the completion of courses and specialized training regarding dermaplaning sufficient that, in the judgment of the board, the licensee may conduct the procedure safely.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Dermaplane procedures for advanced exfoliation under direct supervision of a licensed physician.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Laser and IPL
“A licensee shall not use any procedure in which human tissue is cut or altered by laser energy or ionizing radiation.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Laser treatments;”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Botox and fillers
“Botox or collagen injections;”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “An esthetician licensed by the board shall not perform any of the activities listed in KRS 317A.130(2) unless under the immediate supervision of a licensed physician.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - The board
“Kentucky Board of Cosmetology's New Location”
kbc.ky.gov - Also good to know
“"Immediate supervision" means a licensed physician is physically present in the same room and overseeing the activities of the esthetician at all times.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Also good to know
“Medical procedures shall not be performed by an esthetics or cosmetology licensee.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Also good to know
“A mechanical or electrical apparatus that is considered a prescription medical device by the FDA shall not be used by a licensee, unless the use is under the immediate supervision by a licensed physician and within that licensed physician's appropriate scope of practice.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Questions
Kentucky esthetician license, answered
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