posted on: August 29, 2025
If you’re a licensed esthetician or cosmetologist in North Dakota, heads up: The State Board of Cosmetology (Board) proposed rules that could reshape your career. From new services to continuing education requirements, these updates are packed with opportunity—and a few deadlines you won’t want to miss.
A New Era: The Advanced Esthetician License
North Dakota is introducing an advanced esthetician license, and it’s a game-changer. Think microneedling, advanced chemical peels, and nonablative procedures—services that go beyond the basics and open doors to cutting-edge skin care.
In this blog, we’ll outline the advanced esthetician license:
- Scope (services and their benefits)
- Curriculum and a legacy clause for current estheticians (your shortcut to an advanced license!)
- Supervision and adverse event protocols
Your Voice Matters: Comment by September 7
These rules aren’t final yet, and the Board wants feedback from skin care professionals like you! If you have concerns or suggestions, email bocinfo@nd.gov before September 7. This is your chance to help shape the future of esthetics in North Dakota!
Continuing Education: What’s Changing?
The proposed rules would bring continuing education (CE) requirements into the 2028 renewal cycle. All license holders would be required to complete four hours of Board-approved continuing education every year. Here’s the scoop:
- CE could be completed in person, online, or virtually
- Some topics may be assigned by the Board
- Trade-show attendance would count for up to one hour of CE
The goal: To keep professionals up-to-date on safety protocols, emerging treatments, and regulatory changes.
What Can Advanced Estheticians Do?
With the new advanced esthetician license, professionals in North Dakota will be able to offer a wider range of high-impact skin care services that were previously off-limits. Here's a list of what treatments you may soon offer and how the proposed rules define each service. All licensed advanced estheticians would be allowed to perform the following services.
Core Services: Everything in the standard esthetician scope
Extractions Using Lancets: Treatments involve a sterile lancet to extract blemishes like blackheads or milia. The benefit of this technique allows for more precise extractions compared to manual methods.
Microneedling (Cosmetic and Advanced): This involves creating tiny, controlled micro-channels in the skin using a device with multiple small needles or cones. It boosts collagen, improves skin texture, and enhances product absorption. The proposed rules would allow professionals to perform two types:
- Cosmetic Needling
- Penetrates only the outermost layer of skin (epidermis)
- Uses fixed-length needles of 0.5 mm or less
- Helps with exfoliation and surface-level skin improvements
- Advanced Needling
- Penetrates deeper than 0.5 mm
- Encourages collagen stimulation, texture refinement, and cell rejuvenation
- Must be performed under the supervision of a licensed medical professional
A microneedling certification would be required (see page 63 for a list of certification requirements).
Chemical Peels
An advanced esthetician would be allowed to perform two types:
- Advanced Chemical Peel
- Uses regulated chemical exfoliants to cause controlled injury to the epidermis
- Promotes skin rejuvenation and renewal—must not penetrate past the epidermis layer
- May require medical supervision depending on depth and product used
- Combination Peel
- Involves two or more exfoliating agents applied together or in sequence
- Targets deeper layers of the epidermis for more dramatic results
A chemical peel certification would be required (see page 64 for a list of certification requirements).
Nonablative Procedures: Treatments use laser or light-based technology that do not remove layers of skin (unlike ablative procedures). Benefits include stimulating collagen, improving skin tone and texture, and treating skin pigmentation without downtime.
A laser certification would be required (see page 62 for a list of certification requirements).
Legacy Clause: Skip Extra Schooling
If you’ve been a licensed esthetician or cosmetologist in North Dakota since Jan 1, 2025, or earlier, you may qualify for the advanced estie license without completing hundreds of hours of additional education, but only if you apply by Dec 31, 2027.
Under the proposed rules, you would need the following to apply:
- Proof of current license
- Four-hour safety/infection control training
- Bloodborne pathogen certification
- First aid & CPR certification
- 300 hours of supervised clinical experience within the last five years (an affidavit from a supervising medical profession would be required), or 150 hours of advanced esthetics training completed within the last five years (hands-on or online)
If you miss the deadline or don’t meet the criteria, the proposed rules would require you to complete a 500-hour training program.
Curriculum Updates: What Schools Need to Know
The proposed rules introduce a more structured approach to cosmetology, esthetics, and manicurist training programs in North Dakota. New curriculum is broken down into didactic, practical, and enrichment hours, with each serving a purpose in student development.
Didactic training is traditional classroom-based learning. Students build foundational knowledge through lectures, presentations, discussions, textbooks, demonstrations, and lab practice.
Practical training is hands-on experience where students are applying what they’ve learned on mannequins or live models under supervision.
Enrichment hours are flexible learning hours designed to deepen understanding of advanced concepts, provide extra practice, and explore emerging topics. Enrichment can include guest speakers, workshops, or field trips.
If you’d like to see how this breakdown applies to each profession, check out the proposed updates to curriculum below:
Advanced Esthetician Program: Let’s Chat Curriculum
The Board proposed a 1,100-hour advanced esthetics curriculum, building on a 600-hour fundamental esthetics prerequisite. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Fundamental esthetics: 600 hours
- Advanced skin sciences: 75 hours (50 didactic hours, 25 practical hours)
- Advanced esthetics techniques and technologies: 280 hours (70 didactic hours, 210 practical hours)
- Medical esthetics and specialized practices: 60 hours (45 didactic hours, 15 practical hours)
- Advanced professional development and business: 40 hours (35 didactic hours, 5 practical hours)
- Advanced enrichment and special topics: 45 hours
Advanced Esthetician Oversight: When Is Supervision Required?
Under the proposed rules, certain advanced esthetics procedures must be performed under the direction or supervision of a licensed health-care provider. These services include:
- Advanced needling procedures (microneedling exceeding 0.5 mm depth)
- Chemical peels using exfoliants that penetrate beyond the epidermis
- Nonablative procedures
To supervise these services, the health-care provider must hold an active license in their profession and be trained or certified in the specific procedures being overseen. Eligible supervising professionals include:
- Licensed physicians
- Licensed physician assistants
- Licensed advanced practice registered nurses
Collaborative Agreements: Defining Roles and Responsibilities
Before performing any supervised procedures, the proposed rules would require advanced estheticians to enter into a formal written agreement with their supervising health-care provider. This document must outline:
- Procedures performed
- Written protocols for each service
- Oversight mechanisms and availability requirements
See page 59 for details on supervision, documentation, and protocol changes.
Adverse Event Reporting: Stay Transparent and Stay Safe
Unintended reactions may occur after an advanced esthetics treatment. If something goes wrong, the Board wants to know about an adverse event within 10 business days. The proposed rules would require reporting on the following:
- Medical or surgical intervention beyond routine aftercare
- Second-degree burns (or higher)
- Significant or atypical scarring
- Infections requiring prescription medication
- Pigmentary changes needing medical care
- Hospitalization due to a procedure
- Permanent injury or disfigurement
Emergency Preparedness: Protocols That Protect
Be prepared to respond professionally if an adverse event occurs. The proposed rules would require businesses and solopreneurs to develop protocols for responding to common adverse events associated with advanced esthetics procedures, including:
- Allergic reactions
- Burns
- Excessive bleeding
- Chemical or product sensitivities
Protocols must:
- Be posted visibly in the treatment room
- Include emergency contact info, including a supervising provider if applicable
- Ensure first-aid supplies are available and appropriate
- Be reviewed and understood by all practitioners
Infection Control and Safety: Prevention is Your Superpower
Minimize risk and avoid an adverse event! The proposed rules would require businesses and solopreneurs to create and follow a comprehensive safety plan that covers:
- Protection from bloodborne pathogens
- Proper waste handling and disposal
- Disinfection and sterilization of reusable tools
- Use of single-use instruments when appropriate
- Steps to prevent cross contamination
- Maintenance logs for equipment
- Comply with OSHA standards
Before You Go
This is a major moment for esthetics in North Dakota. Whether you're excited about expanding your service menu or want to weigh in on the proposed rules, now is the time to get informed and get involved.
Send your comments to bocinfo@nd.gov by September 7 and read the full proposed rules here.
Oh, and if you're planning to upgrade your license, start prepping now—2027 will be here before you know it!
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