New York esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in New York?
New York licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the New York Department of State. The basic esthetician license covers facials, cleansing, exfoliating, extracting and facial masks, according to the Department of State. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from New York's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- Not allowed
- Chemical peels
- Not allowed
- Dermaplaning
- Allowed
- Laser and IPL
- Not stated
- Botox and fillers
- Not allowed
Licensed by New York Department of State.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in New York?
No. The Department of State lists microneedling among medical procedures that estheticians cannot provide, and its 2020 advisory committee minutes say it falls under acupuncture licensure.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in New York?
No. The Department of State lists peels among medical procedures that appearance enhancement licensees cannot provide, and the list does not separate superficial peels from deeper ones.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in New York?
Yes. The Department of State's procedure chart lists dermaplaning under the esthetics or cosmetology license, with no added condition.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in New York?
Not stated. New York's official pages we read do not settle whether a licensed esthetician may do laser hair removal and other laser or IPL treatments. Ask the New York Department of State before you offer it.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in New York?
No. The Department of State lists injections of any drugs, including Botox, and fillers among medical procedures that estheticians cannot provide.
Advanced license
Does New York have a master esthetician license?
New York'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 York says about an esthetician's scope
- The Department of State says medical procedures cannot be provided by appearance enhancement licensees, including estheticians.
- The Department of State lists laser procedures as medical procedures, with laser hair removal excepted from that list.
- Per the Department of State's 2020 advisory committee minutes, the Medical Board's position is that laser hair removal is not the practice of medicine.
Sources
What New York's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of New York's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the New York Department of State before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“It all starts with a New York State Esthetician license.”
dos.ny.gov “Perform facials, cleansing, exfoliating, extracting, and applying facial masks.”
dos.ny.gov - Microneedling
“* Microneedling”
dos.ny.gov “It was verified that microneedling falls under the scope of acupuncture licensure in New York State.”
dos.ny.gov - Chemical peels
“* Peels (dermal)”
dos.ny.gov - Dermaplaning
“A physical exfoliation method that uses a specialized blade (similar to a surgical scalpel) to remove dead skin and vellus hair”
dos.ny.gov - Botox and fillers
“Injections of any drugs (including Botox) or any fillers (including as Restylane) whether by needle or pressure pen”
dos.ny.gov - The board
“An Appearance Enhancement Business License allows an individual to operate an Appearance Enhancement establishment that provides any or all of the services included in the practice of cosmetology, esthetics, nail specialty, natural hair styling and/or waxing.”
dos.ny.gov - Also good to know
“Medical procedures cannot not be provided by appearance enhancement licensees, including cosmetologists and estheticians.”
dos.ny.gov - Also good to know
“* Laser procedures (except for laser hair removal)”
dos.ny.gov - Also good to know
“laser hair removal is not considered the practice of medicine”
dos.ny.gov
Questions
New York esthetician license, answered
What is the esthetician scope of practice in New York?
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