Medical Pedicures

Despite what podiatrists advertise, nail educators teach and trade magazines promote, beauty licensees in California cannot perform "medical pedicures" or "medi-pedis" that include procedures that exceed the scope of manicuring practice. Our Board of Barbering and Cosmetology recently released the following statement:

March 2, 2009

The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) has received several inquiries regarding defining the term of “Medical Pedicure”. Although the Board does not define or regulate medical procedures, the manicuring industry is governed by the Board and shall adhere to the Board’s Laws and Regulations when performing manicuring services in any facility within the State of California.

The Medical Office offering manicuring services must maintain a valid establishment license issued by the Board.

The Medical Office manicurist performing services must maintain a valid license issued by the Board.

The Medical Office manicurist are not licensed by the Board as medical professionals and may not engage in services outside the manicurist scope of practices as defined in the Board’s Laws and Regulations.

Any licensed manicurist providing services whether in a salon or a facility identified as a “Medical Office” (i.e. Podiatric Office, Hospital, Medical Clinic, etc.) shall provide manicurist services to include the nail care practice of cutting, trimming, polishing, coloring, tinting, cleansing, or manicuring the nails of any person or massaging, cleansing, or beautifying the hands or feet of any person.

Any licensed manicurist shall not use razor-edged tools or other instrument to remove calluses. Callus removal is not within the manicurist scope of practice and shall not be performed by a manicurist in the State of California.