Your ASCP Skin-tuition Report

With the 2026 legislative season on the horizon, the ASCP Government Relations team is closely monitoring the trends that could reshape the skin care industry. From expanding your service menu to creating new licensing pathways, we’re tracking the issues that matter most to estheticians and predicting what’s next.

Why It Pays to Look Ahead
Before diving into the details, let’s learn why tracking emerging legislation is essential for anyone invested in the future of esthetics. 

When you anticipate the issues that could transform the skin care industry, you give yourself the power to prepare and advocate. Whether you’re an esthetician, educator, or industry leader, staying one step ahead of the game means you can help champion fair policies that advance and enhance the profession. We’re talking about laws that support expanding scope of practice, improving license portability, and encouraging business growth. 

Here are the top issues we expect to land on lawmakers’ desks next year.

Expanding Legal Limits
In 2025, several states took the step to broaden the esthetician scope of practice or to introduce a master-level esthetician license. Maryland and North Dakota enacted bills designed to advance the profession and to meet growing client demand for high-impact services. These bills signal a growing commitment to modernizing esthetics regulation. 

Why does expanding scope matter? Because offering advanced treatments like microneedling, laser skin therapy, high-pH chem peels, and other light-based treatments allows you to grow your business in a competitive market while practicing legally. When you’re licensed to do more, you open doors to earn more and meet client demand.

As new treatments emerge (and let’s be honest, there’s always a new one on the rise), laws must keep pace. Legislators need to decide who can safely and legally perform these services, and ASCP will be there to ensure estheticians are part of that conversation. And it’s not just about cutting-edge tech. Sometimes it’s about catching up. This year, we saw some states finally add eyelash extensions to their scope of practice. These services aren’t new to estheticians, but only recently have they been getting an official green light.

In 2026, expect more states to introduce bills that will expand scope—either by embracing trending modalities or by formalizing services that have been around for a while. The skin care industry is evolving, and state laws need makeovers to match.

Mini-licenses: Small Scope, Big Impact
Another emerging trend is the creation of limited permits, often called “mini-licenses.” These credentials allow professionals to perform a single service, such as eyelash enhancements, without completing a full esthetics or cosmetology program. In this scenario, you could offer clients lash extensions, perms, and tints. Some states are bundling complementary treatments and allowing licensees to offer eyelash and eyebrow services under one mini-license.

In her ASCP Skin Deep article, “Mini vs. Advanced Licenses,” ASCP Director of Government Relations Laura Puryear offers a thoughtful take on mini-licenses and explores the pros and cons. It’s a must-read for anyone curious about where these license types could take the industry.

In 2026, we expect more states to introduce bills that would create mini-licenses as demand grows for affordable, streamlined pathways into the skin care industry. Whether it’s a stepping stone into the profession or a long-term passion, these limited permits are changing the way professionals are entering the field. 

License Once, Work Anywhere
One of the most exciting developments coming in 2026 is the Esthetics Licensure Compact (Compact). If this is your first time hearing about it, here’s a quick pitch: The Compact will allow licensed estheticians to practice across participating “member states” with a single multistate license that comes with no extra paperwork or duplicate fees. 

The model legislation is finalized, and states can begin introducing it in 2026. Here’s how it works: 

• First, a state must enact the Compact bill to become a member state.
• Once enough states join, a Compact commission is formed, and rules are created for mulitstate licensure.
• Next, estheticians in those states can apply for a multistate license to allow you to legally work in any of the other member states—whether you’re relocating, traveling for work, or growing your business.

We’ve seen this model succeed with the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, where 10 states joined in just two years. That’s a strong signal that portability is a priority for beauty professionals. States that adopted the cosmetology compact will likely be early to join the esthetics compact in 2026. 

Visit the Compact’s official website to learn more about how this initiative could transform your career mobility.

Let’s Face the Future Together
As we look toward 2026, the esthetics legislative landscape looks dynamic, promising, and full of potential. From embracing new technology and treatments to supporting license mobility, these changes will shape the future of skin care.

Make sure to watch your inbox for ASCP legislative alerts. Let’s be ready—not just to react, but to lead in 2026!

Bonus Reads for the Skin Care Pro Who Wants More
Want to catch up on what happened in 2025? Don’t miss our end-of-session recap where we break down the biggest wins and trends from this year’s legislative activity.