According to Grand View Research, the global market for laser hair removal is expected to grow by an average of almost 19% annually through 2030. Advancements in technology and cultural trends in aesthetics send more than a million people each year to laser hair removal facilities throughout the U.S.
Regulations around who is allowed to perform laser hair removal vary wildly by state. As the market grows, it’s likely these rules will change. In the strictest states, laser hair removal can only be performed by a doctor. In some places, it can be performed by an assortment of medical and cosmetic professionals. And in one state, it can be performed by anyone.
Laser Hair Removal: An Overview
Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light to damage hair follicles. When the light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, it converts to heat. This heat destroys the hair and damages the follicle.
With each treatment, the follicle is impaired a little further so that hair grows back slower, sparser, and finer. After several treatments, some patients report permanent hair removal.
Laser hair removal is typically performed in med spas, dermatology clinics, plastic surgery centers, and some medical centers.
Choosing the Right Laser Hair Removal Provider
While regulations on laser hair removal vary from place to place, best practices do not. Patients interested in this procedure should research local providers and choose one that operates safely.
Here are some red flags patients should watch out for:
- A facility with no medical supervision. Laser hair removal is a medical procedure and should be treated as such. Look for a clinic or med spa supervised by a healthcare professional like a medical director or physician.
- Undertrained laser operators. The person operating the laser should meet the training requirements of their state at a minimum. Better yet if they have taken training above and beyond what’s required.
- Off-market equipment. Make sure the facility’s laser hair removal equipment is approved by the FDA.
- No screening appointment before the procedure. Before undergoing any medical procedure – including laser hair removal – you should be thoroughly screened to make sure it will be safe and effective for you.
The screening should include a physical exam, a health history, and a discussion of risks, benefits, and expectations of the procedure. - Lax safety protocols. Laser hair removal facilities must follow basic health and safety precautions. These include protective eyewear for patients and laser operators, sanitization between patients, and instruction in pre- and post-procedure care.
Requirements for Laser Hair Removal Providers
Each state has its own regulations around who can perform laser hair removal. Some, like Alaska, Louisiana, and New Jersey, consider laser procedures a kind of surgery and restrict its practice only to physicians.
Some states allow non-physician medical personnel like physician assistants and nurses to operate a hair removal laser, usually under a doctor’s supervision.
A few states, like Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, also permit licensed cosmetic professionals such as estheticians and electrologists to perform laser hair removal.
These professionals are often required to complete additional training and may need a separate license. In some states, they can only perform the procedure under a medical professional’s supervision.
New York is the only state that has no restrictions around who can perform laser hair removal.
Do You Need a License to Perform Laser Hair Removal?
Eleven states issue specific licenses for laser hair removal. In some cases, only non-medical personnel, like estheticians and cosmetologists, need to obtain a license; medical personnel are licensed by default.
Some states do not have a specific license for laser hair removal, but they do require laser operators to complete specific training and continuing education.
The process to apply for and renew a license varies from state to state. To view your state’s licensing requirements, select your licensing agency from the list below:
- Arizona Laser Technician License
- Georgia Cosmetic Laser Practitioner License
- Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licenses
- Massachusetts Licensing for Electrologists
- Nevada State Board of Cosmetology Licensing
- North Carolina Laser Hair Removal License
- Oregon Advanced Esthetics Certification
- Rhode Island Electrology Licensing
- Texas Laser Hair Removal Certificate
- Vermont Electrology Licensing
- Wisconsin Professional Licensing
Laser Hair Removal Regulations by State
State
Who Can Perform Laser Hair Removal?
Is a License Required?
Minimum Training Hours
Continuing Education Requirements
Notes
Alabama
Physicians, RNs, LPNs, PAs, electrologists
No
Varies
24 hours every 2 years
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Alabama.
Alaska
Physicians
No
Does not apply
None
Arizona
Physicians, RNs, APRNs, certified laser technologists, estheticians, cosmetologists
Yes
64
License renewal every 2 years
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Arizona.
Arkansas
Physicians, RNs, PAs, electrologists
No
16 plus professional licensure
None
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Arkansas.
California
Physicians, RNs, PAs
No
Varies
License renewal every 3 years
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in California.
Colorado
Physicians, RNs, PAs, estheticians, cosmetologists, electrologists
No
Varies
6 hours every 2 years
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Colorado.
Connecticut
Physicians, PAs, APRNs, RNs
No
Varies
Varies
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Connecticut.
Delaware
Physicians, APRNs with prescriptive authority
No
Varies
License renewal every 2 years
Florida
Physicians, APRNs, PAs, electrologists
No
Varies
20 hours every 2 years for electrologists
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Florida.
Georgia
RNs, APRNs, PAs, estheticians, master cosmetologists
Yes
Varies
5 hours every 2 years
Non-physician medical staff, estheticians, and master cosmetologists do not require physician supervision, but must have a laser practitioner license in Georgia.
Hawaii
Electrologists, PAs, licensed nurses
Yes
600 for electrologists
Varies
· Electrologists can perform laser hair removal without physician supervision in Hawaii.
· Nurses and PAs may perform laser hair removal only under the supervision of a doctor in Hawaii.
Idaho
Physicians, RNs, PAs, NPs
No
Does not apply
None
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Idaho.
Illinois
Physicians, RNs, LPNs
No
Does not apply
None
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Illinois.
Indiana
Physicians, electrologists
No
300 for electrologists
None
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Indiana.
Iowa
Electrologists, estheticians, cosmetologists licensed before July 1, 2005
No
Varies
None
· Estheticians may only perform laser hair removal under physician supervision in Iowa.
· Cosmetologists licensed after July 1, 2005 cannot perform laser hair removal in Iowa; those licensed before that date may if they meet additional licensing requirements.
Kansas
Physicians, RNs, PAs, APRNs
No
40 for non-physicians
Varies
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Kansas.
Kentucky
Licensed medical professionals
No
Varies
None
Kentucky doesn’t have specific licensing requirements, so estheticians and cosmetologists may be able to perform laser hair removal under a physician’s supervision. However, the procedure is typically performed by medical personnel.
Louisiana
Physicians
No
Does not apply
None
Maine
Physicians, PAs, RNs, electrologists
No
600 for electrologists
Varies
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Maine.
Maryland
Physicians, NPs, RNs, and PAs
No
40 for non-physicians
6 hours per year
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Maryland.
Massachusetts
Physicians, PAs, RNs, electrologists, estheticians
Yes
1,100 hours for non-medical staff
10 hours every 2 years
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Massachusetts.
Michigan
Physicians, RNs, PAs, APRNs, PAs, NPs
No
Does not apply
Varies
Physician supervision is required for some professionals for laser hair removal in Michigan.
Minnesota
Physicians, PAs, NPs, APRNs, advanced practice estheticians
No
Varies
Varies
Licensed estheticians must complete additional training and registration to perform laser hair removal in Minnesota.
Mississippi
Physicians, PAs, APRNs, RNs, LPNs
No
Varies
Varies
Physician supervision is required for laser hair removal in Mississippi.
