North Dakota esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in North Dakota?
North Dakota licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology. A basic esthetician license covers esthetics, which is limited to noninvasive care: a licensed esthetician may not alter, cut, puncture or damage living cells, including with laser, light or energy. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from North Dakota's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- With conditions
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- Not allowed
- Laser and IPL
- With conditions
- Botox and fillers
- Not allowed
Licensed by North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in North Dakota?
Only with conditions. Microneedling needs an advanced esthetician license and microneedling certification; advanced needling (deeper than 0.5 mm) also needs direction or supervision by a licensed health care provider.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in North Dakota?
Only with conditions. A basic esthetician may do single-layer exfoliation; multi-layer and advanced chemical peels need an advanced esthetician license and chemical peel certification.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in North Dakota?
No. Board rules prohibit razor-type shavers, credo blades and similar sharp implements for skin removal, so blade dermaplaning is not permitted.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in North Dakota?
Only with conditions. Nonablative laser and IPL treatments, including hair removal, need an advanced esthetician license, laser certification and direction or supervision by a licensed health care provider; a basic esthetician may not alter living cells with laser, light or energy.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in North Dakota?
No. Board rules prohibit performing injections of any kind, even under the direction or supervision of an approved health care provider.
Advanced license
Does North Dakota have a master esthetician license?
Advanced Esthetician. Adds microneedling, advanced chemical peels, nonablative laser and IPL procedures, and lancet extractions, performed in a licensed establishment and with the certifications and supervision the rules require.
Good to know
What else North Dakota says about an esthetician's scope
- Advanced esthetic procedures may not be practiced outside a licensed establishment.
- Medical supervision does not replace the Board's licensure requirements; the esthetician still needs the Board license.
- Laser, light and energy devices must be FDA cleared or approved for the specific intended cosmetic use.
Sources
What North Dakota's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of North Dakota's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“"Esthetician" means an individual licensed under this chapter to practice esthetics.”
ndlegis.gov “The practice of cosmetology, manicuring, or esthetics is limited to noninvasive care.”
ndlegis.gov “living cells whether superficially or through the use of laser, light, or energy.”
ndlegis.gov “An esthetician is a licensed professional authorized to perform basic skincare services, including cleansing, stimulation, and beautification of the skin within the defined scope of esthetics.”
ndcosmetology.com - Microneedling
“Microneedling is prohibited without valid certification and advanced esthetician license.”
ndcosmetology.com “Advanced needling procedures require direction or supervision by a licensed health care”
ndcosmetology.com “Deeper or more aggressive penetration of the skin -greater than .5mm”
ndcosmetology.com - Chemical peels
“Single-layer exfoliation”
ndcosmetology.com “Multi-layer chemical peels”
ndcosmetology.com “Advanced chemical peel procedures are prohibited without valid certification and an advanced”
ndcosmetology.com - Dermaplaning
“Razor-type callus shavers, credo blades, rasps, graters, or other similar sharp”
ndcosmetology.com - Laser and IPL
“Nonablative procedures. Laser certification required.”
ndcosmetology.com “Nonablative procedures require direction or supervision by a licensed health care”
ndcosmetology.com “reduction, hair removal, hair reduction, or tattoo removal and is not intended to excise,”
ndlegis.gov - Botox and fillers
“Performing injections of any kind, even under the direction or supervision of an approved”
ndcosmetology.com - Advanced license
“In addition to the license requirements for an advanced esthetician, a written application”
ndlegis.gov “Extractions using lancets.”
ndlegis.gov - The board
“licenses and regulates cosmetology professionals, schools, and establishments throughout the state.”
ndcosmetology.com - Also good to know
“Advanced esthetic procedures must not be practiced outside of a licensed establishment.”
ndcosmetology.com - Also good to know
“Important: Medical supervision does not replace Board licensure requirements”
ndcosmetology.com - Also good to know
“All laser, light, and energy devices must be FDA cleared or approved for the specific”
ndcosmetology.com
Questions
North Dakota esthetician license, answered
Does North Dakota have a master or advanced esthetician license?
What is the esthetician scope of practice in North Dakota?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
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