Indiana lash and brow rules

Do you need a license to do lashes in Indiana?

No license needed. Eyelash extensions need no Indiana cosmetology or esthetician license, but unlicensed applicators must get a certification from an IDOH-recognized program. Below: lash lifts, tinting and brow lamination (license needed), waxing (license needed) and eyebrow threading (no license needed), each answered from Indiana's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 23, 2026, with the state's own words.

Lash extensions
No license needed
Lifts and tints
License needed
Waxing
License needed
Threading
No license needed

Licensed by the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.The board's site Hours and fees for each licenseThe state's own words

Lash extensions

Do you need a license to do lash extensions in Indiana?

No license needed. Eyelash extensions need no Indiana cosmetology or esthetician license, but unlicensed applicators must get a certification from an IDOH-recognized program.

License needed
No license needed
Licenses that allow it
Cosmetologist, Esthetician
Exemption
Applying eyelash extensions is exempt from regulation under the beauty culture article (IC 25-8).

Lash lifts, tinting and brow lamination

Do you need a license to do lash lifts, tinting or brow lamination in Indiana?

Yes. Eyelash lifts and tinting and eyebrow lamination and tinting need an esthetician license as of July 1, 2026.

License needed
License needed
Licenses that allow it
Esthetician
License for this work alone
None

Waxing

Do you need a license to do waxing in Indiana?

Yes. Waxing hair removal needs a cosmetologist or esthetician license.

License needed
License needed
Licenses that allow it
Cosmetologist, Esthetician
License for this work alone
None

Eyebrow threading

Do you need a license to do eyebrow threading in Indiana?

No license needed. Threading alone does not fall under the cosmetology or esthetician license definitions, so no license is required under them.

License needed
No license needed
Exemption
Threading is not part of the cosmetology or esthetician definitions, so a person who only threads is not covered.

Good to know

What else Indiana asks of lash and brow artists

  • Unlicensed people who apply eyelash extensions must complete an IDOH-recognized eyelash extension specialist certification.
  • The esthetician scope change for lash lifts and tints and brow lamination and tints took effect July 1, 2026.

Sources

What Indiana's official pages say

Each answer above, in the words of Indiana's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 23, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before you start offering a service.

Lash extensions
“is exempt from regulation under this article.”
in.gov
“any individual(s) who are not licensed estheticians or licensed cosmetologists”
secure.in.gov
Lash lifts, tinting and brow lamination
“Performing any: (A) eyelash: (i) lift; or (ii) tinting; (B) eyebrow: (i) lamination; or (ii) tinting; or (C) microneedling:”
secure.in.gov
“The scope of practice for ESTHETICIAN has been expanded to include:”
secure.in.gov
Waxing
“Removing superfluous hair from the body by the use of depilatories,”
in.gov
“"Esthetician" means a person who engages solely in”
in.gov
Eyebrow threading
“The act of threading.”
in.gov
“engages in threading;”
in.gov
Also good to know
“must obtain a certification from a program recognized by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH).”
secure.in.gov
Also good to know
“As of July 1, 2026, the following legislative change will be effective:”
secure.in.gov

Questions

Indiana lash and brow licenses, answered

Do you need a license to do lash extensions in Indiana?
No license needed. Eyelash extensions need no Indiana cosmetology or esthetician license, but unlicensed applicators must get a certification from an IDOH-recognized program. Hours and fees for each license are on the Indiana cosmetology license page.
Do you need a license to do lash lifts, tinting or brow lamination in Indiana?
Yes. Eyelash lifts and tinting and eyebrow lamination and tinting need an esthetician license as of July 1, 2026. Hours and fees for each license are on the Indiana cosmetology license page.
Do you need a license to do waxing in Indiana?
Yes. Waxing hair removal needs a cosmetologist or esthetician license. Hours and fees for each license are on the Indiana cosmetology license page.
Do you need a license to do eyebrow threading in Indiana?
No license needed. Threading alone does not fall under the cosmetology or esthetician license definitions, so no license is required under them.
What do you need to open a lash or brow studio in Indiana?
Your own license for the services you offer, and usually a license for the studio itself as a business. See what Indiana requires to open a salon, with its fees and inspection rules.

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Lash and brow rules in other states

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Do You Need a License to Do Lashes in Indiana? (2026) | SalonAI