Minnesota esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. A basic Esthetician license covers personal services for the cosmetic care of the skin only, limited to the stratum corneum (the outer layer of the epidermis), such as cleansing, basic exfoliation, facials, and hair removal by waxing, depilatories, sugaring, or tweezing. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from Minnesota's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- With conditions
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- With conditions
- Laser and IPL
- Not allowed
- Botox and fillers
- Not allowed
Licensed by Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in Minnesota?
Only with conditions. Skin needling is listed as an advanced practice esthetic service, so it requires the Advanced Practice Esthetician license.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in Minnesota?
Only with conditions. Basic estheticians may use nonprescription chemical exfoliation only on the stratum corneum; exfoliation that goes deeper requires the Advanced Practice Esthetician license.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in Minnesota?
Only with conditions. Dermaplaning is listed as an advanced exfoliation service, so it requires the Advanced Practice Esthetician license.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in Minnesota?
No. Laser procedures are the practice of medicine under Minnesota law and are excluded from advanced practice esthetic services.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in Minnesota?
No. The board's rules list injectables as an unregulated service outside the practice of cosmetology, so the esthetician license does not cover them.
Advanced license
Does Minnesota have a master esthetician license?
Advanced Practice Esthetician. Adds cosmetic treatments on the epidermal layer beyond basic esthetics, including exfoliation beyond the stratum corneum, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, skin needling, and electrical energy treatments.
Good to know
What else Minnesota says about an esthetician's scope
- The Advanced Practice Esthetician license supersedes the esthetician license.
- The board's rules bar adding terms such as "medical," "certified" or "master" to a board license title.
- Undertaking laser procedures counts as the practice of medicine under Minnesota law.
Sources
What Minnesota's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Minnesota's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“An "esthetician" is any person who, for compensation, performs personal services for the cosmetic care of the skin only.”
revisor.mn.gov “The practice of esthiology is the cosmetic treatment of the stratum corneum of the epidermal layer of the skin surface.”
revisor.mn.gov - Microneedling
“skin needling; and”
revisor.mn.gov - Chemical peels
“"Chemical peel" means a chemical exfoliation achieved by applying nonprescription chemical solutions or products.”
revisor.mn.gov “"Basic exfoliation" means the removal of dead skin cells in the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis through manual or chemical means.”
revisor.mn.gov - Dermaplaning
“advanced exfoliation as defined in part 2105.0010 including dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, chemical or enzyme exfoliation, and other exfoliation methods that exceed the stratum corneum;”
revisor.mn.gov - Laser and IPL
“offers or undertakes to perform any surgical operation including any invasive or noninvasive procedures involving the use of a laser or laser assisted device, upon any person”
revisor.mn.gov “Laser, as identified in Minnesota Statutes, section 147.081, subdivision 3 , as the practice of medicine is not an advanced practice esthetic service;”
revisor.mn.gov - Botox and fillers
“Unregulated services are ear piercing; body art; body painting; henna tattoos and permanent tattoos; eyebrow embroidery; eyebrow microblading; permanent hair removal; permanent makeup; tanning by UV radiation and spray tanning units; injectables;”
revisor.mn.gov - Advanced license
“The practice of advanced practice (AP) esthetics is the cosmetic treatment of the epidermal layer of the skin.”
revisor.mn.gov - The board
“The MN Board of Cosmetology is dedicated to supporting licensees, applicants, and the public by being committed to public protection, superior service, excellence, and continuous improvement.”
mn.gov - Also good to know
“An AP esthetician license supersedes an esthetician license.”
revisor.mn.gov - Also good to know
“It is a violation of this chapter to qualify any board license title with another term, including the use of terms such as "medical," "certified," "master," and other qualifying terms.”
revisor.mn.gov
Questions
Minnesota esthetician license, answered
Does Minnesota have a master or advanced esthetician license?
What is the esthetician scope of practice in Minnesota?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
- The Minnesota esthetician license: training hours, exams, fees and renewal
- Lash extensions, brow lamination, waxing and threading in Minnesota: which license each needs
- Microblading and permanent makeup in Minnesota: the license it needs
- Opening your own skin care studio in Minnesota: the salon license
Esthetician scope in other states
Ready when you are
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