NZ Board of Professional Skin Therapies
Who we are. What we do. Why it matters to you.
What is the NZ Board of Professional Skin Therapies?
The New Zealand Board of Professional Skin Therapies (NZBPST) is an independent professional body representing clinical skin therapists and all other treatment providers, training organisations, and distributors across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Skin therapy is a rapidly evolving field — bridging aesthetics and allied health — and the need for clear clinical boundaries, strong safety protocols, and professional oversight has never been more important. The Board exists to define and uphold those standards, so practitioners can work with confidence, and the public can trust the care they receive.
We are committed to advancing industry standards through strong governance, evidence-informed practice, regulatory alignment, and professional accountability. All members are expected to work within their own qualifications, competencies, scope of practice, and applicable regulatory requirements — a commitment that sits at the heart of everything we do.
What does the Board do?
We are your professional home base — working behind the scenes so you can focus on your clients. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
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Advocate on your behalf — we represent the skin therapy sector with government, local authorities, and key agencies, addressing sector-specific challenges and pushing for the recognition our profession deserves.
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Set the standards — we develop and maintain the scope of practice, code of ethics, health and safety guidelines, and complaints processes that protect both practitioners and the public.
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Support you day to day — members can access professional guidance, advice, and assistance when they need it.
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Keep you informed — we communicate regulatory changes, industry news, and health alerts so you’re never caught off guard.
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Champion evidence-informed practice and education — we promote higher education and continuous professional development, encouraging members to ground their practice in current evidence and emerging research.
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Unite the industry — we believe in bringing all sectors of the profession together under one authoritative, evidence-based framework.
How is the Board different from other industry organisations?
The NZ Board of Professional Skin Therapies [NZBPST- The Board] is the only skin therapy organisation in New Zealand affiliated with Allied Health Aotearoa NZ (AHANZ) — the peak body representing over 40 allied health professions and around 30,000 practitioners nationwide.
This affiliation places us alongside acupuncturists, podiatrists, councillors, psychotherapy, osteopathy, aesthetic technicians, dietitians, physiotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathy and herbal medicine and other registered health professionals who all sit under allied health [AHANZ). Together, we consult with the Ministry of Health and other agencies to have our work recognised as a legitimate health service.
In short: we have a seat at the table where decisions that affect your profession are made.
Why become a member?
Skin therapy in New Zealand is currently unregulated. That means without a professional body to guide you, you’re on your own — navigating scope of practice questions, handling complaints, choosing training providers, and keeping up with regulatory changes, all without a framework to rely on.
Established professions are supported by professional bodies — and skin therapy is no different. The Board gives you that structure, that support, and that voice.
Membership provides:
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A code of ethics and scope of practice standards to work confidently within
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Professional guidance and complaint support pathways when you need them
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Access to vetted educational opportunities and CPD to keep your practice current
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Networking and community with fellow practitioners across the sector
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Industry advocacy — we represent your interests to government and regulatory agencies
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Timely regulatory updates so you’re always working with the latest information
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Your membership with the Board is more than a logo. It signals your commitment to excellence, duty of care, and clinical integrity — and it tells the public that you operate within a framework of accountability they can trust.
What do members receive?
We understand that working as a sole trader or small business owner can be isolating. Not knowing where to turn for advice, how to handle a complaint, or which training is worth your investment adds unnecessary stress.
As a Board member, you receive:
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Regular newsletters with industry news, regulatory updates, health alerts, and Board progress reports
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Training discounts and access to approved professional development opportunities
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Our health, hygiene, and safety standards framework
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Code of ethics and scope of practice guidelines
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Support through our independent complaints and resolution system — for both practitioners and the public
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Mentorship, education pathways, and strategic guidance to help you and your business grow
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A professional community — so you’re never navigating your career alone
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We’re at the coal face — working so that you have a structured, supported environment in which your professional identity can grow and your business can thrive.