posted on: February 20, 2026
State legislatures are back in session, and that means new bills that could impact the esthetician scope of practice, education, and mobility. While there are many bills introduced each year with a focus on beauty and wellness professions, we’re highlighting the most noteworthy ones filed so far in 2026 that may be of interest to you.
At time of posting, none of these bills had been signed into law—and some may never make it to a governor’s desk—but they’re important to watch because they could affect:
- Services you’re allowed to provide
- License portability and mobility
- Educational pathways to licensure
- New training in specific subjects
- Minimum hour requirements
Bills on the Table
Alabama House Bill 47
Creates a new lash/brow license, allowing professionals to perform lash extensions and lifts, and brow tints, laminations, waxes, extensions, and threading. ASCP has requested an amendment and a legacy pathway so licensed estheticians can perform lash/brow services, which are currently not listed in scope.
Read the bill
Arizona Senate Bill 1518
Expands the esthetician scope of practice to include eyelash application, lash lifts, brow lamination, basic exfoliation, and basic extractions. The bill also opens board membership eligibility to estheticians, hairstylists, nail techs, and educators—a shift from current membership of only cosmetologists and barbers.
Read the bill
Esthetics Licensure Compact
Alabama Senate Bill 163, Kansas House Bill 2760, and Virginia House Bill 1247. The compact creates a multistate license allowing estheticians to practice in participating states without obtaining a new license each time. The goal is to improve mobility, streamline regulation across state lines, and reduce downtime and costs when relocating. If Alabama, Kansas, and Virginia sign these bills into law, they will become compact-participating states. The more states that join, the more valuable the compact becomes for working estheticians. Updates are coming soon!
Read AL SB 163
Read KS HB 2760
Read VA HB 1247
Illinois House Bill 5581
Reduces esthetics program hours from 750 to 600. Instructor hours are also lowered from 750 to 600, or from 500 to 400 for those with two years of practical experience.
Read the bill
Indiana House Bill 1131
Expands the definition of “esthetician” to include eyelash lifts and tints, brow tints and lamination, and microneedling. Those performing microneedling may be required to show proof of advanced training or certification if requested by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Read the bill
Mississippi House Bill 1138
Creates esthetics and other beauty apprenticeship programs. Apprentices must complete set hours over defined timeframes. Apprenticeship sponsors need at least 10 years of active practice and may train only one apprentice at a time. All programs will be audited by the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
Read the bill
New York Assembly Bill 3084
Allows licensed estheticians and cosmetologists to perform microneedling services after completing an intensive 40-hour microneedling course.
Read the bill
Oklahoma Bills
The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) received only a one-year extension last year. Several bills now aim to extend or preserve the Board:
- House Bill 3000: Extends the Board to 2027
- House Bill 1030: Extends the Board to 2028
- House Bill 3860: Extends the Board to 2030
- House Bill 3320: Removes expiration provisions entirely unless reversed by future legislation
ASCP is working with industry organizations and partners to ensure the Board remains intact to continue its regulatory work and oversight.
South Dakota House Bill 1165
Creates a tired system with “basic” and “advanced” esthetician licenses. In addition to services currently permitted, basic estheticians could perform lash extensions, lash/brow perming and tinting, dermaplaning, and chemical exfoliation or electric energy treatments after submitting documentation.
Advanced estheticians could perform all basic services, plus chemical exfoliation, electrical energy treatments, microdermabrasion, microneedling, UV-cured lash extensions, lymphatic drainage, and lancet or needle extractions. Advanced licensure requires 400 hours of training beyond the basic license. A legacy pathway would allow currently practicing estheticians to qualify for the advanced license with proof of training and experience.
Read the bill
Virginia House Bill 186
Creates a specialty license for estheticians and master estheticians to perform permanent makeup services, including permanent eyebrows, eyeliner, lip color, and similar pigmentation services.
Read the bill
West Virginia Senate Bill 486
Introduces a master esthetician license requiring 900 hours of training. Master estheticians could perform basic esthetics services, use laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) devices, and offer microneedling and radiofrequency treatments.
Read the bill
What’s Next
The 2026 legislative session will move quickly. Bills can be amended on a Monday, signed into law on a Tuesday, or scrapped for the year on a Wednesday. We’ll continue monitoring the bills above (and anything new that comes across our desks) and alert you if anything requires your support or makes it across the finish line.
Stay tuned, stay informed, and keep an eye on your inbox.
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