The American Society of Association Executives is honoring three beauty and wellness advocacy organizations for their collective work to launch the Esthetics Licensure Compact in 2026.
The Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP), Professional Beauty Association (PBA), and International SPA Association (ISPA) are being recognize with a 2026 ASAE Power of Associations Gold Award for their collaborative effort to advance a multi-state licensing agreement for skincare professionals.
The shared honor recognizes not only the progress of the Esthetics Licensure Compact, but the solidarity behind it.
ASCP, ISPA and PBA represent distinct segments of the spa, beauty, and skincare professions. By aligning their expertise, advocacy, and industry relationships, the three 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 is designed to create a pathway for qualified estheticians to practice in all member states through a multistate license.
The legislation requires enactment by seven states to form the Compact Commission and begin issuing multi-state licenses. So far, three states (Alabama, Kansas, and Virginia) have adopted the needed legislation, and it is expected that the required seven states will be in place by the end of the 2027 legislative sessions.
Approximately 300K estheticians are licensed in the United States. For them, moving state to state or working across state lines currently means completing new applications, paying additional fees, and often long waits before they can legally work in another state.
Those barriers often lead to lost income and reduced access to career opportunities. They also create staffing challenges for spas, salons, and other beauty and wellness employers seeking qualified professionals.
The multi-state licensing agreement is particularly relevant to military spouses, independent practitioners, and small-business owners who often bear the greatest financial burden when required to repeat the licensing process after relocating.
ASCP, ISPA, and PBA have remained aligned on model legislation, coordinated their advocacy, and resisted changes that could weaken consistency among participating states. That disciplined approach has helped prevent the conflicting messages and competing proposals that can slow legislative progress.
“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.”
ASAE will recognize the 2026 Power of Associations Award recipients during its Summit Awards Dinner on September 22 in Washington, D.C.
“This award is a tribute to what can happen when organizations put the needs of the profession ahead of individual recognition,” says Leslie Perry, CEO of PBA.
“Maintaining a coordinated approach has allowed us to give lawmakers clear, consistent information and a credible industry position.”