Wisconsin esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin licenses estheticians as an Aesthetician through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Cosmetology Examining Board. The basic aesthetician license covers caring for or beautifying the skin for compensation, such as cleansing, applying cosmetics or products, and massaging, stimulating, wrapping or exercising the skin. Treatments listed as delegated medical procedures in Cos 2.025 may be done only under physician direction and supervision. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from Wisconsin'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
- With conditions
- Botox and fillers
- Not stated
Licensed by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Cosmetology Examining Board.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in Wisconsin?
Only with conditions. Microneedling is a delegated medical procedure under Cos 2.025, so it may be performed only as directed, supervised and inspected by a physician under formal written protocols.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in Wisconsin?
Only with conditions. Chemical exfoliation is a delegated medical procedure requiring physician direction, limited to alpha hydroxy acids of 30% or less and salicylic acids of 20% or less, both at a pH of not less than 2.0; manufacturer-directed commercial exfoliation products are excluded.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in Wisconsin?
Only with conditions. Dermaplaning performed by an aesthetician is a delegated medical procedure, unless the aesthetician has formal training in a board-approved curriculum and the treatment does not impact a skin layer below the stratum corneum.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in Wisconsin?
Only with conditions. Laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments are delegated medical procedures unless the esthetician has formal board-approved training and the treatment does not impact a skin layer below the stratum corneum; laser hair removal or IPL on a minor requires a parent or guardian present and general physician supervision.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in Wisconsin?
Not stated. Wisconsin's official pages we read do not settle whether a licensed esthetician may do Botox, fillers and other injections. Ask DSPS before you offer it.
Advanced license
Does Wisconsin have a master esthetician license?
Wisconsin's official pages we read name no advanced or master esthetician license; the basic Aesthetician license is the one that sets the scope.
Good to know
What else Wisconsin says about an esthetician's scope
- Delegated medical procedures must be done under formal written protocols that set out the supervisory plan and any contraindications.
- Any treatment that affects a skin layer below the stratum corneum is a delegated medical procedure.
Sources
What Wisconsin's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Wisconsin's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with DSPS before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“The examining board shall issue an aesthetician license to any person who does all of the following:”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov “means, for compensation, caring for or beautifying the skin of the human body, including but not limited to cleaning, applying cosmetics”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov - Microneedling
“Cos 2.025 (2) (d)Micro needling.”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov “Licensees may provide client services constituting medical procedures only as directed, supervised and inspected by a physician”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov - Chemical peels
“Chemical exfoliation, except for application of commercially available exfoliation products utilized in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions, limited to the following:”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov “Alpha hydroxyl acids of 30% or less, with a ph of not less than 2.0.”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov - Dermaplaning
“Dermaplaning, when performed by an aesthetician licensed under”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov “The following are delegated medical procedures unless the licensee has received formal training in the procedure as part of a board-approved curriculum”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov - Laser and IPL
“Utilization of electromagnetic radiation and electric current.”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov “A laser hair removal product or device, or intense pulsed light device shall not be used on a minor unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov - The board
“Related Boards: Cosmetology Examining Board”
dsps.wi.gov - Also good to know
“Delegated medical procedures shall be undertaken only pursuant to formal written protocols setting forth the nature and scope of the procedures delegated, describing the supervisory plan, and indicating any contraindications to undertaking the procedure.”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov - Also good to know
“Any treatment impacting a skin layer below the stratum corneum.”
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Questions
Wisconsin esthetician license, answered
What is the esthetician scope of practice in Wisconsin?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
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