Licensing & Level 7 - What does it mean?
Since the announcement in March 2022 that England is to bring in a licensing scheme for non-surgical aesthetic procedures, there have been lots of questions and concerns within the aesthetics industry about how this is all going to work and how aesthetic practitioners will be affected.
While much of the information around licensing is yet to be determined, there are some things we do know. Keep reading for the full details.
On 1st March 2022, a new amendment to the Health and Care Bill was announced. This amendment gives Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the power to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England.
The proposed licensing scheme will require any practitioner carrying out aesthetic treatments to have a licence. It will be a criminal offence to practice without a licence and this will be enforceable by Environmental Health. A licence will be required for any treatment that penetrates the skin beyond the level of the dermis, including Botulinum Toxin and filler treatments, plasma and vitamin injections. It will also be required in order to obtain insurance.
Although it has not yet been decided what the licensing scheme will entail, we do know that practitioners will need to meet an educational standard in order to be eligible. This educational standard will very likely be an accredited qualification.
Where does Level 7 fit in?
Level 7 is a postgraduate qualification covering the practical and theoretical knowledge required to administer safe and effective non-surgical clinical aesthetic treatments. As it is an aesthetics qualification that was specifically designed to meet the guidance provided by a number of professional bodies, including the JCCP and HEE, we anticipate that Level 7 or an equivalent qualification will potentially be the educational standard for licensing.
At Facethetics® we offer the VTCT Level 7 Diploma in Clinical
Aesthetic Injectable Treatments to the following professionals who are
registered with their regulatory body:
* Doctors (GMC)
* Dentists (GDC)
* Nurses and Midwives (NMC)
* Pharmacists (GPhC / PSNI)
* Allied Health Professionals (HCPC), including
physiotherapists, radiographers, podiatrists, paramedics and operating
department practitioners
What will Licensing Mean for my Existing Training?
At Facethetics® , we have been anticipating changes to the industry for some time now and have put plans in place to ensure that all of our delegates are adequately prepared, should additional qualifications in aesthetics be required. We will be providing a pathway to Level 7 for all delegates who have trained with us over the years and will be assisting you in RPEL (Recognition of Prior Learning) to convert your past training and experience and providing additional evidence probably via the examination route.