6 Benefits of an Interstate Compact for the Spa Industry
practice in compact member states. Seven states must enact the legislation before a Compact Commission can be formed. Alabama, Kansas and Virginia have enacted it, and supporters expect the threshold to be reached by the end of the 2027 legislative sessions.
A WORKFORCE ISSUE FOR SPAS Licensing friction is not an abstract policy concern for spas. It can limit the available talent pool, delay onboarding and make it harder to recruit experienced professionals from other states.
A functioning compact could give employers access to a more mobile workforce while helping estheticians protect their earning power and maintain career momentum. It could also support franchises and multilocation operators seeking greater flexibility across state markets.
PBA CEO Leslie Perry described the award as a tribute to organizations that placed the profession’ s needs ahead of individual recognition. ASCP Executive Director Ashley Scobey emphasized the importance of a licensing system that recognizes qualifications and supports sustainable careers.
The ASAE award will be presented September 22 in Washington, D. C. But the more consequential milestones will come in statehouses. Each new enactment brings the industry closer to a system designed around mobility, consistency and opportunity.
That is the larger story for spa leaders facing ongoing staffing challenges: Collaboration is beginning to translate into infrastructure— and infrastructure can change who is able to work, where they can work and how quickly they can get started. n
Compact at a Glance l 3 states enacted: Alabama, Kansas and Virginia l 7 states needed to form the Compact Commission l 300,000 licensed estheticians nationwide
6 Benefits of an Interstate Compact for the Spa Industry
1 A larger talent pool: Spas could recruit qualified estheticians from other compact states without requiring those professionals to begin a completely new licensing process.
2 Faster hiring and onboarding: Reducing duplicative applications and licensing delays could help new hires begin serving clients sooner.
3 Better career continuity: Estheticians who relocate could experience fewer interruptions in employment, income and professional development.
4 Lower mobility costs: Professionals may avoid some of the repeated application fees and administrative expenses associated with obtaining separate licenses in multiple states.
5 Greater flexibility for multi-state businesses: Spa groups, franchises and other multi-location employers could gain more flexibility when recruiting or deploying talent across participating states.
6 More consistent industry standards: A coordinated compact framework could reduce conflicting state requirements while giving policymakers a unified source of guidance from the esthetics profession.
A compact does not eliminate professional standards. It creates a shared pathway through which qualified, licensed estheticians can practice in participating states.
GOAL: Reach the activation threshold by the end of the 2027 legislative sessions.
PULSE n SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 11