North Carolina esthetician scope of practice

What can an esthetician do in North Carolina?

North Carolina licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. The basic Esthetician license covers skin care and related cosmetic services, such as facials, makeup, waxing or creams for hair removal, and lash and brow services. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from North Carolina's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.

Microneedling
With conditions
Chemical peels
With conditions
Laser and IPL
Not allowed

Licensed by North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.The board's page The state's own words

Microneedling

Can estheticians do microneedling in North Carolina?

Only with conditions. The board's guidance allows FDA-approved microneedling devices that go no deeper than 1 mm, but the same guidance bars devices that penetrate beyond the epidermis; ask the board how the two apply to your device before offering it.

Chemical peels

Can estheticians do chemical peels in North Carolina?

Only with conditions. Only superficial and light chemical exfoliation is within scope, such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids, modified Jessner solutions, and trichloroacetic acid under 20%.

Dermaplaning

Can estheticians do dermaplaning in North Carolina?

Yes. The Board's 2022 ruling places dermaplaning within the esthetician scope, and any FDA-approved device used for it must be operated within manufacturer guidelines.

Laser and IPL

Can estheticians do laser hair removal in North Carolina?

No. North Carolina requires a separate license for laser, light source and pulsed-light treatments, and the cosmetic arts board says FDA Class 3 and higher devices are outside the esthetician's scope.

Botox and fillers

Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in North Carolina?

No. Estheticians may not give Botox, other neurotoxin, or dermal filler injections, because the esthetics board bars techniques that penetrate the skin beyond the epidermis.

Advanced license

Does North Carolina have a master esthetician license?

North Carolina'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 North Carolina says about an esthetician's scope

  • Laser or pulsed-light hair removal without a Board license is a Class I felony.
  • The Board states that microblading is outside the esthetician scope of practice.
  • The NC Medical Board says hair and tattoo removal with these technologies should be performed by a physician or by an individual a physician designates and fully oversees.

Sources

What North Carolina's official pages say

Each answer above, in the words of North Carolina's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners before you offer a treatment.

The license and its scope
“Esthetician. - An individual licensed by the Board to practice only that part of cosmetic art that constitutes skin care.”
ncleg.gov
“Refers to any of the following practices: giving facials; applying makeup; performing skin care; removing superfluous hair from the body of a person by use of creams, tweezers, or waxing;”
ncleg.gov
Microneedling
“Microneedling device not deeper than 1 mm”
nccosmeticarts.com
Chemical peels
“Superficial and light chemical exfoliation including but not limited to;”
nccosmeticarts.com
“solutions, trichloroacetic acid less than 20%.”
nccosmeticarts.com
Dermaplaning
“these modalities of services fall within the scope of practice for both estheticians and cosmetologists.”
nccosmeticarts.com
Laser and IPL
“It shall be unlawful to engage in the practice of electrolysis or laser, light source, or pulsed-light treatments in this State without a license.”
house.ncleg.gov
“Use of devices that fall within FDA classifications 3, 3A, 3B, 4 or any Radiation Emitting Devices designation are NOT within the scope of practice.”
nccosmeticarts.com
Botox and fillers
“are prohibited from using a product, device, machine or technique or any combination of the same, which penetrates the client's skin beyond the epidermis”
nccosmeticarts.com
“Neuromodulator and Dermal Filler Injections (e.g., Botox, Restalyne, Collagen)”
ncbon.com
The board
“Board. - The North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.”
ncleg.gov
Also good to know
“Any person practicing electrology or laser, light source, or pulsed-light treatments for the purpose of hair removal or hair reduction in this State without being licensed by the Board shall be guilty of a Class I felony”
house.ncleg.gov
Also good to know
“Microblading is not within our scope of practice.”
nccosmeticarts.com
Also good to know
“Hair and tattoo-removal procedures using such technologies should be performed only by a physician or by an individual designated as having adequate training and experience by a physician who bears full responsibility for the procedure.”
ncmedboard.org

Questions

North Carolina esthetician license, answered

What is the esthetician scope of practice in North Carolina?
North Carolina licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. The basic Esthetician license covers skin care and related cosmetic services, such as facials, makeup, waxing or creams for hair removal, and lash and brow services.

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Esthetician Scope of Practice in North Carolina: Microneedling, Peels, Laser | SalonAI