Maryland esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in Maryland?
Maryland licenses estheticians as a Limited Esthetician through the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists. A Limited Esthetician may provide esthetic services such as exfoliating, cosmetic microneedling, toning and superficial exfoliation of the epidermis, but no service that penetrates beyond the epidermis. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from Maryland's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- With conditions
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- Allowed
- Laser and IPL
- Not allowed
- Botox and fillers
- Not allowed
Licensed by Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in Maryland?
Only with conditions. Microneedling is permitted for a limited esthetician only at a needle length of 1.0 mm or less, per the board's guidance.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in Maryland?
Only with conditions. Superficial chemical peels limited to the epidermis are permitted; medical grade peels that penetrate beyond the epidermis are not.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in Maryland?
Yes. Dermaplaning is listed as a permitted service for a limited esthetician, with no additional condition in the board's guidance.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in Maryland?
No. Laser hair removal and IPL are listed as outside a limited esthetician's scope in the board's guidance.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in Maryland?
No. Botox, fillers and other injectables are listed as outside a limited esthetician's scope in the board's guidance.
Advanced license
Does Maryland have a master esthetician license?
Maryland's official pages we read name no advanced or master esthetician license; the basic Limited Esthetician license is the one that sets the scope.
Good to know
What else Maryland says about an esthetician's scope
- Any service that penetrates beyond the epidermis is outside the limited esthetician scope, and there is no exception unless the person also holds the health occupation license that authorizes the procedure.
- Under Business Occupations and Professions Section 5-605, a licensee must be affiliated with a licensed salon or licensed barbershop to perform services.
- For a service the guidance does not list, the board directs licensees to its COMAR regulations for clarification.
Sources
What Maryland's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Maryland's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“This document provides guidance on the scope of practice for Limited Estheticians licensed under the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists.”
labor.maryland.gov “cleansing, exercising, exfoliating, massaging, cosmetic microneedling, stimulating,”
mgaleg.maryland.gov “performing nonablative skin rejuvenation.”
mgaleg.maryland.gov “Any service that penetrates beyond the epidermis is not permissible for Limited Estheticians or Cosmetologists.”
labor.maryland.gov - Microneedling
“Microneedling (1.0 mm or less)”
labor.maryland.gov - Chemical peels
“Superficial Chemical Peels, limited to epidermis only”
labor.maryland.gov “Medical grade peels that penetrate beyond the epidermis”
labor.maryland.gov - Dermaplaning
“Dermaplaning Plasma fibroblast/ plasma pen”
labor.maryland.gov - Laser and IPL
“Laser Hair Removal and IPL”
labor.maryland.gov - Botox and fillers
“Botox/ Fillers/ Injectables”
labor.maryland.gov - The board
“The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists qualifies and licenses individuals seeking licensure and issues permits to business entities through which cosmetology is practiced.”
labor.maryland.gov - Also good to know
“you must be affiliated with a licensed salon or licensed barbershop to perform services”
labor.maryland.gov - Also good to know
“If a service you are seeking guidance on is not listed in this document, please refer to Maryland Board of Cosmetologists COMAR regulations for clarification.”
labor.maryland.gov
Questions
Maryland esthetician license, answered
What is the esthetician scope of practice in Maryland?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
- The Maryland esthetician license: training hours, exams, fees and renewal
- Lash extensions, brow lamination, waxing and threading in Maryland: which license each needs
- Microblading and permanent makeup in Maryland: the license it needs
- Opening your own skin care studio in Maryland: the salon license
Esthetician scope in other states
Ready when you are
In scope? Fill the treatment room next
SalonAI plans the business side of a skin care practice in Maryland: a website clients can book from in one tap, deposits for longer treatments, intake and consent forms, your Google profile and Instagram, reviews and rebooking. Founden builds and runs it while you do the work.
Built with Founden. Review your setup and running costs before activation.