Colorado Laws, Rules, and Professional Ethics
Colorado laws, rules, and professional ethics tests the Barber and Cosmetology Act, licensing, scope of practice, and the standards that keep a license defensible. The Board of Barber and Cosmetology sits within the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations.
Licensing and scope
- A Colorado esthetician license is required to perform esthetics for compensation. Shops also need a license, and licenses must be available for inspection.
- Esthetician training is 600 hours, followed by the required examination. Renewal is every two years; Colorado's esthetician renewal does not carry a general continuing-education hour requirement, though you should read the current renewal notice.
- Scope includes cleansing, beautifying, and applying preparations to the face, neck, arms, hands, legs, feet, and torso; hair removal by waxing or tweezers; makeup; and brow/lash services within training. It does not include medical diagnosis, prescribing, or treating disease.
- Complaints go to DORA; practicing on an expired license or in an unlicensed shop is a violation.
Ethics and practice standards
Obtain informed consent, keep client records confidential, use appropriate sanitation, advertise honestly, and do not discriminate. Refer clients with contagious, undiagnosed, or medical conditions. Do not diagnose, lance, or promise a cure. Photographing clients for social media requires permission.
Worked example
A client asks you to 'freeze off' a skin tag with an over-the-counter cryo kit or to lance a cyst. The reasoning: diagnosis and medical removal are outside esthetician scope, even if the product is sold retail. Decline, explain the scope boundary, and refer to a physician. Document the referral and do not perform the service.
Traps
- Thinking makeup or 'just brow tinting' needs no license.
- Quoting a continuing-education requirement that Colorado does not impose.
- Practicing beyond scope because a client asks.
- Sharing client photos or medical information without consent.
- Ignoring shop licensing and inspection requirements.
- Giving a diagnosis to explain a lesion.