Arkansas: who may do what, and how to check a license

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing says aesthetic procedures are within the scope of a trained APRN or RN as part of a medically prescribed plan of care, but not LPNs or LPTNs. The procedures must be prescribed by a qualified physician or an APRN with prescriptive authority. RNs work under a patient-specific order, and standing orders are acceptable if documented in the patient's record. The physician or APRN must be available in person or electronically during the procedure. The statement covers aesthetic procedures generally and does not name specific products.

Source: Position Statement 21-1: Role of the Licensed Nurse in the Practice of Aesthetics

Board guidance — may not be bindingPublished or effective Sep 8, 2022Checked Sep 14, 2026

The Arkansas State Medical Board treats the use of medical lasers for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes as the practice of medicine. A physician may delegate minor procedures to trained non-physician personnel only if the physician personally diagnoses the patient and prescribes the treatment. The physician must also be available if complications arise and ensure records show who performed the procedure.

Source: Arkansas Medical Practices Act Statutes and Rules, Rule No. 22: Laser Surgery Guidelines

Law or regulationPublished or effective Jul 11, 2022Checked Sep 14, 2026

A guidance article from Arkansas State Board of Nursing staff (not a rule) says IV spa hydration services are medical in nature. They require an order or prescription from a licensed provider, including a provider-patient relationship. The article says only licensed nurses should insert the IV and give the fluids. It also says adding items to a saline bag is compounding, which is outside nursing scope.

Source: IV Spa Hydration, Should I Be Doing This? (ASBN APRN Corner article)

Board guidance — may not be bindingChecked Sep 14, 2026

The Arkansas Department of Health's cosmetology FAQ says licensed cosmetologists and aestheticians may provide laser services with Class 1 or Class 2 devices only when practicing in a cosmetology establishment. No other class of laser may be used.

Source: Cosmetology FAQs - Arkansas Department of Health

Board guidance — may not be bindingChecked Sep 14, 2026

The same FAQ says cosmetologists and aestheticians may perform microneedling only if the service does not penetrate or pierce the skin beyond the epidermis. It also says they may not perform microblading, which requires a Body Art license.

Source: Cosmetology FAQs - Arkansas Department of Health

Board guidance — may not be bindingChecked Sep 14, 2026