If you're considering cosmetology school or already licensed and wondering what services you can legally offer, understanding your scope of practice is essential. The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology strictly regulates what cosmetologists can and cannot do, and violating these rules can result in fines, license suspension, or even criminal charges.
At Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy in Santa Fe Springs, we help ensure our cosmetology students understand what they're licensed to perform before they graduate. This knowledge protects your career and keeps your clients safe.
Your cosmetology license is powerful—it allows you to perform dozens of beauty services across hair, skin, and nails.However, it's not a medical license, and certain advanced treatments fall outside your legal authority.
Many cosmetologists unknowingly cross these boundaries, especially when trendy treatments emerge on social media. Just because a product is available for purchase or a technique is popular doesn't mean you're legally permitted to perform it. Understanding these limitations protects you from liability and ensures you're operating within the law.
California cosmetologists have extensive authority when it comes to hair services. Your license covers virtually every traditional hair service clients request.
Chemical Services
You can perform all chemical hair treatments including bleaching, highlights, hair coloring, chemical relaxers, keratin treatments, and permanent waves. These services form the foundation of most salon revenue and require the extensive chemistry training you receive in cosmetology school.
Whether you're doing a full head of platinum highlights, applying a Brazilian keratin treatment, or creating bouncy curls with a perm, these services are well within your scope.
Cutting and Styling
All haircuts, hairstyling, updos, blowouts, and hair straightening services are permitted. From basic trims to elaborate wedding updos, if it involves cutting or arranging hair, you're covered.
Hair Care Treatments
Shampooing (with non-prescription products), conditioning treatments, and hair masks are all allowed. These services help maintain hair health and are often add-ons that increase your service revenue.
What Hair Services Are OFF LIMITS
There's only one major restriction in hair services: you cannot use prescription shampoos or products. If a product requires a doctor's prescription, you cannot apply it, even if the client brings it to you. This falls under medical practice, not cosmetology.
This is where scope of practice gets complicated. Cosmetologists can perform many skin services, but several popular treatments are strictly prohibited.
Skin Services You CAN Perform
Your cosmetology license allows you to offer a variety of skincare services that keep clients looking their best.
Facials, including cleansing, exfoliating, and massaging, are core services you can provide. Whether it's a basic European facial or a deep-cleansing treatment, traditional facials are within your scope.
Extractions without needles are permitted, meaning you can manually remove blackheads and clogged pores using proper techniques. However, the moment you introduce any needle or sharp implement for extraction, you've crossed into medical practice.
Hair removal services, including waxing, sugaring, and tweezing, are allowed on both face and body. These are some of the most requested services in salons and provide steady income.
Makeup application and strip lash application fall under cosmetology. Whether you're doing bridal makeup or everyday looks, these services are part of your training.
Eyelash extensions, eyelash perming, lash lifts, and brow lamination are increasingly popular services that cosmetologists can legally provide. These treatments require specialized training but are within your scope once properly trained.
Eyelash and eyebrow tinting is also permitted, allowing you to offer comprehensive brow and lash services.
Superficial chemical peels that don't penetrate beyond the epidermis are allowed. These light peels help with texture, tone, and mild skin concerns.
Dermaplaning and dermablading are within scope as well.
Technology-Based Treatments You CAN Use
Several devices and technologies are permitted for cosmetologists, though many professionals don't realize they can offer these services.
High frequency current devices can be used for acne treatment and skin toning. These are common in esthetic facials and are perfectly legal for cosmetologists.
LED devices for skin rejuvenation and acne treatment are within your scope. Red light therapy and similar LED treatments are becoming mainstream and represent a service opportunity.
Microcurrent devices for facial toning and lifting are permitted. These non-invasive treatments are popular for their anti-aging benefits.
Ultrasonic skin scrubbers that exfoliate and deep clean the skin are allowed. These devices enhance facial treatments without crossing into medical territory.
Microdermabrasion for exfoliation and skin texture improvement is within a cosmetologist's scope. This mechanical exfoliation treatment is popular and effective for many skin concerns.
Hydrafacials, which combine cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration, are permitted services that many high-end salons now offer.
Skin Services That Are PROHIBITED
Now for the critical part—services you absolutely cannot perform as a cosmetologist, no matter how much training you receive or how safe you think the treatment is.
Injections of any kind are completely off limits. This includes Botox, dermal fillers, vitamin injections, or any other substance. Even devices like the HyaluronPen, which claims to be "needle-free," are prohibited. These are medical procedures requiring medical licenses.
Lasers of any kind cannot be operated by cosmetologists. This includes laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, laser tattoo removal, or any other laser treatment. Even if a medical director supervises you, California law prohibits cosmetologists from operating lasers.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments are also prohibited. While IPL isn't technically a laser, it's still considered a medical device that cosmetologists cannot use.
Microneedling and nanoneedling are prohibited in California, despite their growing popularity. These treatments create controlled injury to the skin and fall under medical treatments, not cosmetology.
Dermarolling faces the same prohibition. Even though dermarollers are sold directly to consumers, cosmetologists cannotperform this treatment professionally.
Radio frequency treatments for skin tightening cannot be performed by cosmetologists. These devices heat deep layers of skin and are considered medical treatments.
Ultrasound treatments (different from ultrasonic scrubbers) that penetrate deep into tissue are prohibited.
Cavitation and cryolipolysis (fat-freezing treatments like CoolSculpting) are medical procedures. Any body contouring or sculpting treatment that destroys fat cells is outside your scope.
Cryotherapy treatments are also prohibited for cosmetologists.
Fibroblast or plasma skin tightening, which uses electrical arcs to tighten skin, is not permitted under a cosmetology license.
Electrical muscle stimulators are off limits, even though similar devices are marketed for home use.
Skin tag or mole removal is a medical procedure that only licensed medical professionals can perform. Never attempt to remove these, even if the client requests it.
Electrolysis Requires a Separate License
One service worth special mention is electrolysis—the permanent hair removal method using an electric needle. This requires a completely separate license from cosmetology. Only licensed electrologists can perform electrolysis in California.
If you're interested in offering permanent hair removal, you would need to attend an electrology program and obtain that specific license.
Prescription Products Are Prohibited
Cosmetologists cannot use any prescription products, even if the client brings them in. This includes prescription-strength retinoids, hydroquinone above certain percentages, or any medication prescribed by a doctor. Applying prescription products is considered medical practice.
Cosmetologists have full authority over nail services, which is excellent news if you enjoy working with hands and feet.
Nail Services You CAN Perform
Manicures and pedicures are core services that most cosmetologists offer. This includes nail shaping, cuticle care, polish application, and basic nail care.
Applying artificial nails using any method—liquid and powder (acrylic), gel, or nail tips—is within your scope. This includes popular techniques like Gel-X, which Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy teaches through our Aprés Nail partnership.
Nail repair and maintenance services keep clients coming back regularly. Whether fixing a broken nail or doing a fill, these services are permitted.
Hand and arm massage during manicures, and foot and ankle massage during pedicures, enhance the client experience and are completely allowed.
Paraffin wax treatments for hands and feet are popular add-ons that improve skin softness and circulation.
Nail Services That Are PROHIBITED
Medical foot care is where cosmetologists must draw the line. You cannot treat medical conditions, even minor ones.
Removing calluses with a razor-edged tool or shaving calluses with a grater-like tool is prohibited. While you can gently buff calluses, aggressive removal with sharp implements crosses into medical territory.
Treating ingrown toenails is completely off limits. This is a medical condition that requires proper medical treatment, not salon intervention.
Treating nail fungus is also prohibited. Fungal infections are medical conditions requiring medical diagnosis and treatment.
If a client has any of these conditions, your responsibility is to recommend they see a podiatrist or physician.
Interestingly, several beauty services fall outside the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology's jurisdiction entirely. This doesn't mean they're unregulated—they may fall under different agencies or professional boards.
Cosmetic Tattooing
Permanent makeup, microblading, and cosmetic tattooing are not regulated by the cosmetology board. These services fall under body art regulations managed by local health departments. If you want to offer these services, you need to research your local jurisdiction's requirements.
Wig Fitting and Styling
Fitting and styling wigs is not regulated by the Board, meaning cosmetologists can offer these services without specific additional licensing. This is helpful for clients experiencing hair loss or those who wear wigs for religious or personal reasons.
Threading
Threading, the hair removal technique using twisted thread, is not regulated by the Board. Anyone can legally offer threading services without a cosmetology license, and cosmetologists can certainly provide it.
Our 1,000-hour cosmetology program doesn't just teach you techniques—we ensure you understand the legal and ethical boundaries of your profession.
Comprehensive Curriculum
We integrate scope of practice education throughout your training. When you learn a new technique, you also learn the legal framework surrounding it. This prevents costly mistakes after graduation.
Our instructors emphasize the "why" behind regulations. Understanding why certain services are prohibited helps you make smart decisions when new trends emerge.
Real-World Application
In our student salon, you work with actual clients under supervision. This environment allows you to ask questions about scope of practice in real time. If a client requests a prohibited service, we teach you how to professionally explain why you can't perform it and suggest alternatives.
Business Ethics
We teach you how to recognize when a client needs medical attention rather than cosmetic services. Knowing when to refer someone to a dermatologist, podiatrist, or physician protects both you and the client.
The consequences of performing prohibited services can be severe and career-ending.
License Discipline
The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology can suspend or revoke your license if you perform services outside your scope. This means losing your ability to work in the only profession your education prepared you for.
Fines and Penalties
Violations can result in substantial fines per offense. These fines aren't just inconvenient—they can be financially devastating.
Legal Liability
If a client is injured by a prohibited service you performed, you face potential lawsuits. Your liability insurance likely won't cover prohibited services, meaning you're personally liable for damages.
Criminal Charges
In serious cases, particularly involving injections or medical procedures, you could face criminal charges for practicing medicine without a license. This is not a minor offense.
Professional success means knowing your boundaries and respecting them, even when it's tempting to expand your services.
Continue Your Education
Stay informed about regulatory changes. The Board occasionally updates scope of practice rules, and new technologies create gray areas that require clarification.
Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy graduates can always reach out with questions. Our commitment to your success doesn't end at graduation.
When in Doubt, Don't
If you're unsure whether a service is within your scope, don't perform it until you've verified with the Board. It's better to lose one service opportunity than to lose your entire license.
Know Your Specialties
While your cosmetology license is broad, you don't have to offer every permitted service. Many successful cosmetologists specialize in specific areas—color, extensions, bridal styling, or skincare—and refer other services to colleagues.
Invest in Additional Training
For services within your scope that require specialized skills (like eyelash extensions or intimate waxing), invest in quality training. Being licensed to perform a service doesn't automatically mean you have the skills to do it well.
The services you can legally perform as a cosmetologist are extensive and profitable. You don't need to cross boundaries to build a thriving career.
Hair Services Alone Are Lucrative
Many cosmetologists build businesses focusing exclusively on hair. Color services, extensions, and specialized cutting techniques command premium prices and don't require expensive equipment.
Esthetic Services Expand Your Market
Adding facials, waxing, and makeup to your hair services makes you a one-stop beauty destination. Clients appreciate convenience and will pay more to receive multiple services from one trusted professional.
Nail Services Provide Steady Income
Regular maintenance services like manicures and pedicures create predictable, recurring revenue. Clients typically visit every 2-4 weeks, building reliable income streams.
Package Your Services
Create service packages that combine complementary treatments. A "bridal beauty package" might include hair styling, makeup, and a facial. These packages increase your average ticket and showcase your versatility.
If you're exploring cosmetology as a career, understanding scope of practice early helps you make an informed decision. At Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy, we provide transparent information about what your license allows you to do.
During your campus tour, we'll discuss the full range of services you'll be trained to perform in our 1,000-hour program. You'll see our student salon where you'll practice these skills on real clients before graduation.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
With over 27 years of experience and more than 2,100 graduates, we've built a reputation for producing skilled, knowledgeable professionals who understand both the art and the business of cosmetology.
Schedule your campus tour and discover how our comprehensive cosmetology program prepares you for a successful, ethical, and legal career in the beauty industry.
This article is for educational purposes and reflects current California regulations as of 2026. Scope of practice can change. Always verify current regulations with the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Business and Professions Code section 7316 provides the legal definition of cosmetology scope in California.
