New Hampshire esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics. The basic esthetician license covers facials, makeup, therapeutic skin care treatments, removing superfluous hair by tweezing, waxing, sugaring or threading, applying eyelashes, cosmetic massage and cleansing of the face, neck, arms and shoulders, and manicure and pedicure services. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from New Hampshire's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- Not allowed
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- Not allowed
- Laser and IPL
- Not allowed
- Botox and fillers
- Not stated
Licensed by New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in New Hampshire?
No. Estheticians may not use a dermaroller, dermapen, plasma pen or other needle-rolling or pulsating microneedling device, and may not keep one in the facility.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in New Hampshire?
Only with conditions. A licensed esthetician may do cosmetic chemical exfoliation only after the extra hands-on training the board requires, and the board's definition of exfoliation covers only very superficial, non-invasive treatments.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in New Hampshire?
No. Estheticians may not use a blade to remove skin or have blades available for that use in the facility.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in New Hampshire?
No. Laser procedures that burn or alter tissue are defined as surgery under state law, and esthetician hair removal is limited to tweezing, waxing, sugaring and threading, so laser hair removal is outside the esthetician license.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in New Hampshire?
Not stated. New Hampshire's official pages we read do not settle whether a licensed esthetician may do Botox, fillers and other injections. Ask OPLC before you offer it.
Advanced license
Does New Hampshire have a master esthetician license?
New Hampshire'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 New Hampshire says about an esthetician's scope
- Under state law, a laser procedure that burns, vaporizes or otherwise alters tissue is defined as surgery.
- Board rules define exfoliation, which removes dead skin cells, as working only by very superficial or non-invasive means.
- Board rules define shaving as removing hair from the face with a razor, a method that is not among the esthetician's listed hair removal methods.
Sources
What New Hampshire's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of New Hampshire's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with OPLC before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“"Esthetician" means any person practicing esthetics.”
gc.nh.gov “Giving facials, applying makeup, giving therapeutic skin care treatments, removing superfluous hair, or applying eyelashes to any person;”
gc.nh.gov “means tweezing, waxing, sugaring, and threading.”
gencourt.state.nh.us - Microneedling
“Use a dermaroller, dermapen, plasma pen, or any microneedling device or equipment which rolls or pulsates using needles or pins, or have microneedling devices available for use in the facility.”
gencourt.state.nh.us - Chemical peels
“An esthetician shall complete additional technical, hands-on training for each of the procedures or equipment in the following:”
gencourt.state.nh.us “Cosmetic chemical substances for exfoliation;”
gencourt.state.nh.us “the sloughing off of non-living, dead skin cells by very superficial, or non-invasive means.”
gencourt.state.nh.us - Dermaplaning
“Use a blade to remove any corns, callouses, or skin, or have blades available for use in the facility;”
gencourt.state.nh.us “means any person or business licensed or registered by the OPLC or holding a temporary permit”
gencourt.state.nh.us - Laser and IPL
“"Surgery" means any procedure, including but not limited to laser, in which human tissue is cut, shaped, burned, vaporized, or otherwise structurally altered”
gc.nh.gov - The board
“The focus of the Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by regulating the practices of Professional Barbers, Cosmetologists, Estheticians, Manicurists and Tanning.”
oplc.nh.gov - Also good to know
“the removal of hair from the face, area under the chin, jawline, neck, or hairline of an individual, using a razor.”
gencourt.state.nh.us
Questions
New Hampshire esthetician license, answered
What is the esthetician scope of practice in New Hampshire?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
- The New Hampshire esthetician license: training hours, exams, fees and renewal
- Lash extensions, brow lamination, waxing and threading in New Hampshire: which license each needs
- Microblading and permanent makeup in New Hampshire: the license it needs
- Opening your own skin care studio in New Hampshire: the salon license
Esthetician scope in other states
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