Bill Name: Senate Bill 111 (SB 111)

Primary Sponsor: Senator Keith Grover

Status: 3/3/2023 Failed to Pass

AmSpa’s Take: The addition of microneedling treatments to cosmetologist and aesthetician scopes of practice is a common trend across multiple states. This bill is unusual in that it does not include aestheticians or master aestheticians. Based on this, we would expect it to have trouble passing unless amended.

Outlook: This bill is in the first steps of the process and, based on the sponsor’s past record, it has a lower likelihood of passing.

Analysis: Currently, Utah treats microneedling as a medical treatment to be performed under medical supervision. Typically, aestheticians and cosmetologists are prohibited from performing services on their own that invade or affect the living tissue. SB 111 seeks to expand the scope of practice of cosmetology and barbering to include microneedling.

Unusually, SB 111 would not alter the scope of practice of aestheticians or master aestheticians. Instead, it would add microneedling to the practice of cosmetology and barbering. A person holding a cosmetology or barber license would be able to perform microneedling procedures without medical supervision. These procedures would be limited to a depth of no more than 1.5 mm. They can be performed both with mechanical and electrical devices.

As cosmetic medical procedures become more common and popular, there has been a strong trend to expand the practice of aestheticians and cosmetologists to include them. This is most commonly accomplished by creating new advanced practice licenses with different training requirements. Occasionally, the changes are made by expanding the existing license’s scope of practice. If you would like additional information, to read the language of the bill or to contact the sponsors or committee, you can find the information you need through this link.