GOLDEN, Colo. -- Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP), The International SPA Association (ISPA), and the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) have received a 2026 ASAE Power of Associations Gold Award. This recognition celebrates these organizations for their collaborative work to advance the Esthetics Licensure Compact.
The Power of Associations Awards, presented by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), recognize associations that bring together stakeholders to address challenges, strengthen industries and create broader benefits for the communities they serve.
The shared honor recognizes the progress of the Esthetics Licensure Compact and the solidarity behind it. ASCP, ISPA and PBA represent distinct segments of the spa, beauty and skin care professions. By aligning their advocacy, industry relationships and expertise, the organizations have presented policymakers with a unified position on professional license mobility.
“The most meaningful part of this recognition is that it belongs to all three organizations,” said Lynne McNees, president of ISPA. “ISPA, PBA and ASCP came to the table with different perspectives and constituencies, but with one shared priority: creating greater opportunity for licensed estheticians and the businesses that depend on their talents. This award demonstrates what becomes possible when an industry speaks with one voice.”
The Esthetics Licensure Compact was designed to create a pathway for qualified estheticians to practice in all member states through a multistate license. The model legislation was developed with the Council of State Governments, in conjunction with industry stakeholders. The legislation received some financial support from the U.S. Department of Defense because of its potential to benefit military spouses and families who relocate frequently. It requires enactment by seven states to form the Compact Commission. Three states, AL, KS and VA, have enacted the legislation and it is expected that the seven states will be in place by the end of the 2027 legislative sessions.
Currently, licensed professionals working across state lines might have to complete new applications, pay additional fees and wait to resume work. Those barriers can lead to lost income and reduced access to career opportunities. It also creates staffing challenges for spas, salons and other employers seeking qualified professionals.
The compact is intended to support the approximately 300,000 licensed estheticians who practice in the United States, while helping spas, salons, franchises and other employers address recurring workforce and licensing challenges. Its reach also extends to military spouses, independent practitioners and small-business owners who may bear a great financial burden when required to repeat the licensing process after relocating.
The coalition’s work has also established a coordinated national point of contact for policymakers seeking guidance from the esthetics profession. This advocacy infrastructure is expected to remain valuable beyond the compact itself, strengthening the industry’s ability to collaborate on future legislative and regulatory priorities.
“Our associations serve different audiences, but supporting the interests of the esthetics profession brought us together on this initiative,” said Ashley Scobey, executive director of ASCP. “Estheticians deserve a licensing system that recognizes their qualifications and supports their ability to build sustainable careers. This recognition reinforces the value of industry partnership — a rising tide that lifts all of us.”
