Estheticians make up an important component of the beauty industry. These professionals provide makeup and skincare services to clients, including facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, waxing, and other beauty services. If you are an esthetician, you have to be trained in a wide variety of skincare techniques to provide safe and effective treatments for your clients.
Not all of the services estheticians provide are suitable for every client, and some clients can react poorly to treatments. When a client files a complaint against you, the agency in charge of your license may investigate you and your business. At the Lento Law Firm, our nationwide team of license defense professionals can help estheticians like you defend themselves from disciplinary actions and reach a resolution that lets you continue practicing your craft.
License Concerns for Estheticians
Becoming a licensed esthetician can be a lot of work. Depending on the requirements of your state, you may have to complete hundreds of hours of coursework at a beauty school, pass a licensing exam, and pay application fees. Some states require estheticians to take continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on requirements and skills.
Once licensed, estheticians have to follow the standards and guidelines of their state's licensing agency. If their business does not meet these standards, they could be investigated and disciplined by their state. Some of the most frequent reasons why estheticians face discipline include:
- Failing inspections—Your state may inspect your business at scheduled or random times. If you fail these inspections or have multiple violations, the state may discipline you.
- Poor sanitation and hygiene practices—Estheticians work with people's skin and perform invasive treatments that can spread germs and diseases between clients. Failing to properly clean equipment can lead to violations.
- Improper storage and handling—Reusing single-use items, failing to dispose of hazardous waste properly, or storing sanitary items in unsanitary locations can all be reasons for disciplinary actions.
- Practicing outside the scope of your license—Estheticians are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose or treat diseases. If your business operates outside what you are licensed to do, your esthetician's license could be suspended or revoked.
- Negligence or incompetence—Many treatments that estheticians provide have the capability of causing real harm or injuries to the clients. If a client is injured in your care, they may file a complaint against your license.
There are many reasons that you may have to deal with a customer complaint or an investigation into your business, from unprofessional behavior to failing to meet state standards. Complaints can lead to investigations, which can result in disciplinary actions like license suspensions or license revocations.
Not every investigation has to end with serious disciplinary penalties like losing your license. There are also lesser options like fines or other penalties that could be imposed. The professionals at the Lento Law Firm have helped estheticians around the country defend complaints against their licenses. Let our team help you protect your livelihood and help you resolve complaints against your esthetician's license.
Defending Your Esthetician's License
It is not uncommon for estheticians to receive complaints over the course of their careers. Even the best esthetician cannot make every client happy, and some clients who are dissatisfied with their results might make complaints out of spite or in retaliation. Or, a surprise inspection on a hectic day might result in several minor violations. Whatever the case, being investigated by your state's licensing board can be a frightening experience.
Disciplinary actions that can affect your license usually begin with a complaint or a violation from an inspection. Someone at your state's agency will review the complaint against you and decide if an investigation is warranted. If it is, an investigator may come and talk to you or visit your business. They may also speak with the person who filed the complaint, interview other employees or coworkers, or review security camera footage.
After the investigation, there will be a hearing discussing the charges against you and the evidence. Before this hearing, you might receive a consent order asking you to admit to the charges and accept the specified disciplinary action. Signing the consent order is a permanent decision that avoids the hearing but will become part of your disciplinary record. You should always speak with an attorney about your legal rights and options before signing a consent order.
If you choose to go through with the hearing, you will have the ability to state your side of the story to the board or agency in charge of discipline for estheticians in your state. You may be able to present evidence or witnesses and make arguments for why you should not be disciplined. In most cases, you can have an attorney to advocate for you at this hearing.
We Can Help Defend Your Esthetician's License
Your esthetician's license is an essential part of your business. A license gives your clients peace of mind knowing that you are properly trained and certified and that they will receive industry-standard treatments and care. Your license is too important to leave to chance—let the license defense professionals at the Lento Law Firm defend your case and give you the best chance at keeping your business intact.
At the Lento Law Firm, our team of nationwide professionals understands how important your esthetician's license is to you and your career. We can help you by reviewing the charges against you, making sure you understand the allegations presented, compiling evidence and finding witnesses, and representing you at hearings or in communications with your state's licensing agency. We may be able to negotiate a lesser punishment on your behalf and can appeal any unfair fines or disciplinary actions.
If you are facing an investigation or complaints against your esthetician's license, it is important to know your legal rights and options. Contact the Lento Law Firm today online or by calling 888.535.3686 and learn more about how we can help.
