The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has approved the Level 5 Aesthetic Practitioner – Skin Rejuvenation Apprenticeship Standard, marking a significant step forward in establishing formal, regulated training pathways within aesthetic medicine.
Developed in response to ongoing discussions regarding potential licensing and regulation of aesthetic treatments, this new apprenticeship standard provides a government-backed, fully funded route for professionals to gain competency in advanced skin rejuvenation procedures.
Diane Hey, chair of the Trailblazer Apprenticeship Steering Group, emphasised the importance of this development: "This apprenticeship standard is a groundbreaking step toward structured education and qualification in aesthetics, ensuring a regulated pathway for professionals within the industry."
Candice Gardner, education manager at Dermalogica, added: "The introduction of this standard provides a formalised career progression route, reinforcing patient safety and professional excellence within the aesthetics sector."
Scope of the level 5 aesthetic practitioner apprenticeship
The apprenticeship standard is designed to ensure professional competency in advanced non-surgical aesthetic procedures, covering a range of evidence-based techniques, including:
- Superficial and medium-depth chemical peels
- Microneedling and microinjury procedures
- Light-based skin rejuvenation treatments
- Mesotherapy involving intradermal administration
- Combination therapy approaches for skin health optimisation
- Advanced benign lesion removal
Additionally, the curriculum incorporates critical professional competencies:
- Advanced infection control and patient safety protocols
- Emergency planning and complication management
- Compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks
- Evidence-based consultation and treatment planning
- In-depth skin analysis and classification methodologies
- Patient welfare and risk assessment strategies
- Ethical practice and business management considerations
Entry requirements and professional pathway
The Level 5 apprenticeship is tailored for professionals with relevant foundational qualifications in aesthetic or beauty therapy, including:
- A Level 3 Regulated Beauty Therapy qualification (or equivalent)
- A Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology qualification
- Completion of an Advanced Beauty Therapy or Holistic Therapy apprenticeship standard
- NVQ/SVQ qualifications in beauty or massage therapy
Jo Lancaster, Quality and Standards Manager at the NHBF, highlighted the significance of this initiative: "This standard strengthens the professional recognition of aesthetic practitioners, bridging the gap between beauty therapy and medical aesthetics. It ensures practitioners are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours to perform safe, effective, and ethical aesthetic procedures."
The approval of this apprenticeship standard aligns with broader industry efforts to enhance regulation, reinforce patient safety, and create structured career pathways within the growing field of non-surgical aesthetics. By offering a clear, fully funded route to qualification, this initiative supports practitioners in developing their expertise while maintaining employment.
Developed in response to ongoing discussions regarding potential licensing and regulation of aesthetic treatments, this new apprenticeship standard provides a government-backed, fully funded route for professionals to gain competency in advanced skin rejuvenation procedures.
Diane Hey, chair of the Trailblazer Apprenticeship Steering Group, emphasised the importance of this development: "This apprenticeship standard is a groundbreaking step toward structured education and qualification in aesthetics, ensuring a regulated pathway for professionals within the industry."
Candice Gardner, education manager at Dermalogica, added: "The introduction of this standard provides a formalised career progression route, reinforcing patient safety and professional excellence within the aesthetics sector."
Scope of the level 5 aesthetic practitioner apprenticeship
The apprenticeship standard is designed to ensure professional competency in advanced non-surgical aesthetic procedures, covering a range of evidence-based techniques, including:
- Superficial and medium-depth chemical peels
- Microneedling and microinjury procedures
- Light-based skin rejuvenation treatments
- Mesotherapy involving intradermal administration
- Combination therapy approaches for skin health optimisation
- Advanced benign lesion removal
Additionally, the curriculum incorporates critical professional competencies:
- Advanced infection control and patient safety protocols
- Emergency planning and complication management
- Compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks
- Evidence-based consultation and treatment planning
- In-depth skin analysis and classification methodologies
- Patient welfare and risk assessment strategies
- Ethical practice and business management considerations
Entry requirements and professional pathway
The Level 5 apprenticeship is tailored for professionals with relevant foundational qualifications in aesthetic or beauty therapy, including:
- A Level 3 Regulated Beauty Therapy qualification (or equivalent)
- A Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology qualification
- Completion of an Advanced Beauty Therapy or Holistic Therapy apprenticeship standard
- NVQ/SVQ qualifications in beauty or massage therapy
Jo Lancaster, Quality and Standards Manager at the NHBF, highlighted the significance of this initiative: "This standard strengthens the professional recognition of aesthetic practitioners, bridging the gap between beauty therapy and medical aesthetics. It ensures practitioners are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours to perform safe, effective, and ethical aesthetic procedures."
The approval of this apprenticeship standard aligns with broader industry efforts to enhance regulation, reinforce patient safety, and create structured career pathways within the growing field of non-surgical aesthetics. By offering a clear, fully funded route to qualification, this initiative supports practitioners in developing their expertise while maintaining employment.
