How to Become a Medical Aesthetician in Ontario

Medical aesthetics is a fast-growing field within beauty and wellness. In Ontario, individuals entering this profession can be trained to perform a variety of cosmetic skin services while also complying with the legislative framework that governs Personal Service Settings.

This article explains what a medical aesthetician is, how the role is regulated in Ontario, and what educational pathways exist for those interested in entering the profession.

What Is a Medical Aesthetician?

A medical aesthetician provides advanced cosmetic skin services in a clinical or spa environment. These services may include:

• Facials tailored to skin concerns
• Professional chemical peels
• Microdermabrasion and microneedling
• Certain light-based or laser skincare treatments
• Supportive care before and after cosmetic procedures

In Ontario, medical aestheticians work in Personal Service Settings (PSS). Unlike physicians, nurses, or dentists, they do not belong to a regulatory college. Instead, their practice is governed and inspected directly by municipal Public Health Units under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7. and Ontario Regulation 136/18 (Personal Service Settings Regulation).

Regulation and Oversight

Medical aestheticians are regulated in Ontario through legislation and enforcement carried out by Public Health. Their practice is subject to the following:

• O. Reg. 136/18 (Personal Service Settings): Establishes standards for infection prevention and control, sterilization or disinfection of equipment, and inspection protocols.
• Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA): Provides the authority for Public Health Units to conduct inspections and enforce compliance.
• Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA): Identifies controlled acts—such as injections, prescriptions, or diagnoses—which only regulated professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses) are authorized to perform.
• PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act): Governs the collection and handling of personal information.
• PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004): Applies when clinics collect or store personal health information, requiring secure handling and confidentiality.
• Consumer Protection Act, 2002: Sets standards for fairness and transparency in contracts, advertising, and pricing.

This framework ensures that services are subject to direct oversight, even though practitioners are not governed by a regulatory college.

Education Pathways

There is no single licensing exam for medical aestheticians in Ontario. Training is obtained through private career colleges, publicly funded colleges, and continuing education.

Private Career Colleges

Many medical aestheticians complete programs at private career colleges registered under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005. Programs often include:

• Skin care science and anatomy
• Infection prevention protocols
• Cosmetic equipment operation
• Laser and light-based training
• Business and client service skills

Program lengths range from several months to a year. Tuition varies, and students should verify that the institution is listed on Ontario’s official Private Career Colleges Search Registry.

Publicly Funded Colleges

Several publicly funded colleges in Ontario offer programs in esthetics and spa management. While not always labeled “medical aesthetics,” these programs cover advanced skincare techniques and can serve as a foundation for further training. Public college programs are generally eligible for OSAP.

Continuing Education and Industry Training

Skills development does not stop after graduation. Single-course and ongoing training opportunities are available through medical device manufacturers as well as the cosmetic and skincare product supply chain. These industry-based programs often provide certification in specific devices, technologies, or product lines, helping practitioners stay current with evolving techniques and safety standards.

Skills for Practice

• Clear client communication
• Strict adherence to infection prevention and Public Health requirements
• Respect for privacy obligations under PIPEDA and PHIPA
• Attention to detail and consistency in treatment delivery
• Professionalism in both clinical and client-facing settings

Career Settings

In Ontario, medical aestheticians may work in:

• Cosmetic clinics and medical spas
• Dermatology or plastic surgery practices (under regulated health professionals)
• Independent skincare and laser clinics
• Wellness and spa environments

Operating an independent business requires municipal licensing, Public Health inspection, and compliance with privacy and consumer legislation.

Steps to Becoming a Medical Aesthetician in Ontario

1. Research available training programs at private or public colleges.
2. Enroll in a recognized program that includes both theory and hands-on training.
3. Complete any required practicums or supervised clinical experience.
4. Learn the relevant legislation: HPPA, O. Reg. 136/18, RHPA, PIPEDA, PHIPA, and consumer protection law.
5. Maintain compliance with Public Health inspections and protocols.
6. Continue professional development through workshops and industry training.
7. Pursue employment or establish a practice that complies with municipal and provincial requirements.

Conclusion

Medical aesthetics is a fast-growing field in Ontario that combines advanced cosmetic treatments with a structured framework of legislative oversight. While medical aestheticians do not belong to a regulatory college, they are regulated under multiple statutes and are inspected directly by Public Health Units. Training can be pursued through private career colleges, public colleges, and ongoing education offered by the medical device and skincare product industry. Practitioners are expected to maintain compliance with infection-control, privacy, and consumer protection requirements throughout their careers.