The fallout from Ohio House Bill 442 has unlicensed Cosmetic Therapists and removed our schools from being regulated by the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO). As SMBO is the only reason why we have been allowed to perform laser hair removal there is a concern that if the Cosmetology and Barber Board (CBB) becomes the regulating body for our schools that they will not support our capability to retain this. The main reason why we want to avoid CBB being involved in our profession in any way is because lasers, and electrolysis machines for that matter, are a medical devices. We are aware that CBB has not allowed Estheticians to use Microneedling machines because of their designation as a medical device. Also, Cosmetic Therapists were once regulated under CBB in past decades and they supported our move to the medical board for the reasons shared above. 

     Our first step to protecting our profession is to get laser hair removal added to our legal (statute) scope of practice. That would ensure that no matter what board regulates us at any point in the future, that we would have a legal right to run lasers. Right now we do not have this added protection the way our current scope is written. Although this will not give us full autonomy on running lasers without doctor supervision, it will set us on the path to make that argument in the future when laser rules come up for review. 

    Speaking of rules, in December 2020, the medical board discussed expanding what a Cosmetic Therapist could be allowed to do with lasers other than hair removal. This was a long time in the making. CTAO has spent the last decade repairing our relationship with SMBO. This was proof of our success and that they trust us. Dr. Bechtel, who is one of the highest respected Dermatologist in the state and the current President of SMBO, stated "that vascular lasers are probably the safest of all lasers and have a lower risk of scarring, and that is why the vascular laser was chosen for expansion into the scope of practice of nurses and cosmetic therapists." He also went on to say "while allowing cosmetic therapists to use laser for tattoo removal may be something the board could consider in the future, it is not included in the current proposed rule...". If our schools are removed from their regulation, it's possible they could reverse their standing on expanding our capabilities due to them no longer being involved in our education standards. Without a state board licensing examination that has now been eliminated, SMBO could still adopt rules regarding what the school's final examination of competency to practice and the score that constitutes evidence of passing. We believe giving SMBO this regulation will encourage them to continue to see us as a valuable asset to the medical industry, even as an unlicensed profession. 

    CTAO has decided to work with The Buckeye Institute and ask for their help in getting laser added to our legal scope of practice and to get our schools reinstated under SMBO for regulation. If you agree on this course of action, please sign this petition.