American Electrology Association
The American Electrology Association (AEA), founded 1958, is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization serving electrology professionals—practitioners of the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal—through certification, CEU tracking, publications, an annual convention, and a consumer-facing Find an Electrologist directory spanning all 50 US states and internationally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersGarrettsville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What American Electrology Association does
The American Electrology Association (AEA), founded in 1958 and headquartered in Garrettsville, Ohio, is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization serving electrology professionals—the practitioners of needle/probe electrolysis, which is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal and which dates back to 1875. It operates as the largest international nonprofit in its field, supporting licensed and training electrologists through the IBEC/CPE certification program, continuing education (CEU) tracking, the Journal of Electrology and Electrology World publications, and an Annual Convention delivering 1.5 CEUs. Its revenue derives from six streams: membership dues (recurring annual), an online store selling study guides, professional forms, branded merchandise, and publications, advertising and classifieds in its tri-annual Electrology World newsletter (pricing $40 to $1,075 per placement), convention registration ($300 to $695 per attendee plus exhibitor and student tiers), CEU home-study and certification services including the $468.18 IBEC exam registration and $95 study guide, and tiered directory upgrades in its consumer-facing Find an Electrologist listing (Better and Best tiers, the latter at $140 per year with banner and map placement).
The AEA sustains a federated network of 16–17 US state affiliate associations plus a Japan affiliation with the Japan Skin-Esthetic Association, providing local advocacy, events, and representation. It maintains authoritative industry assets including infection prevention standards aligned with CDC guidelines, a code of ethics, a schools directory, and consumer content covering specialized use cases (athletes, PCOS/hormonal imbalance, transgender transitions, men, teens, dark skin, sensitive areas, curly/coarse hair). Distribution to consumers is anchored by the Find an Electrologist directory covering all 50 US states plus DC and Puerto Rico, and to practitioners via the professionals.electrology.com subdomain, an online store, and recurring publications. Operationally, the organization is lean (1–10 employees in disclosed firmographics), volunteer-supported through its board and affiliate delegates, and currently promoting a federal-evaluation petition and the 2026 Washington DC convention as its principal forward initiatives.
American Electrology Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Electrology Association
- Legal name
- American Electrology Association
- Website
- https://electrology.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The American Electrology Association (AEA), founded 1958, is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization serving electrology professionals—practitioners of the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal—through certification, CEU tracking, publications, an annual convention, and a consumer-facing Find an Electrologist directory spanning all 50 US states and internationally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Electrology Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Association Services
- NAICS
- Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hair Removal Training (Waxing/Sugaring/Laser) (HSALANAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Electrolysis Hair Removal Services (HSALAGAG)
Keywords
Where American Electrology Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Garrettsville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
American Electrology Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for electrologists providing access to CEU programs, publications, networking, advocacy, and member discounts on store products and event registrations.
- Online Store Sales: Sales of promotional materials, professional forms, clothing, branded merchandise, study guides, publications, and certificates to members and non-members through the AEA Online Store.
- Advertising - Electrology World: Space advertising in the Electrology World membership newsletter, published three times yearly, with pricing ranging from $240 to $1,075 per issue depending on ad size.
- Event Registration: Conference registration fees including full convention ($545-$695), one-day passes ($410-$425), student passes, guest passes ($300-$450), and exhibitor registration ($825) for the annual AEA convention.
- CEU and Certification Services: IBEC test registration fees ($468.18), IBEC Study Guide sales ($95), JOE online exam registration, home study recording fees, and affiliate event recording fees.
- Classified and Job Listings: Classified advertising ($40) in Electrology World newsletter and website, plus job posting fees for four-month listings in the newsletter and on the website.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Electrology World advertising space rates |
| Other | Annual | Annual Convention registration tiers |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | IBEC/CPE Testing and Study Guide |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Classified and Job Advertising |
| Subscription | Annual | Membership listing upgrades |
| Subscription | Annual | AEA Membership (fees not publicly disclosed) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
American Electrology Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The American Electrology Association is a nonprofit membership organization that supports electrologists (permanent hair removal professionals) through certification (IBEC/CPE), continuing education, professional publications, advocacy, and an annual convention. It maintains the Find an Electrologist directory connecting consumers to member practitioners and operates an online store selling study materials, professional forms, and branded merchandise.
Product overview
The American Electrology Association (AEA) operates as a membership organization providing professional certification, continuing education, and industry resources for the permanent hair removal profession. The core offering is the electrolysis service methodology—needle/probe electrology using three modalities (Galvanic/DC, Thermolysis/AC, and Blend)—the only FDA-approved permanent hair removal method. Supporting infrastructure includes the IBEC certification program, the Journal of Electrology (JOE) and Electrology World publications, an Annual Convention delivering 1.5 CEUs, Home Study courses, and an online store offering promotional materials, professional forms, and branded apparel. The AEA also maintains a consumer-facing 'Find an Electrologist' directory with location-based search across all U.S. states and international locations. The organization advocates for licensing standards, publishes Infection Prevention Standards aligned with CDC guidelines, and provides legislative assistance to state affiliates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AEA Membership Annual membership program for electrologists providing access to CEU programs, publications, networking, advocacy, member discounts on store products and event registrations, and inclusion in the Find an Electrologist directory.
- CPE Credential (Certified Professional Electrologist) Nationally recognized certification for electrologists demonstrating competency and adherence to professional standards; required for listing in the Find an Electrologist directory with CPE verification.
- IBEC Test Registration Registration service for the International Board of Electrologist Certification (IBEC) CPE examination administered through Prometric testing centers.
- IBEC Study Guide Comprehensive study guide available in multiple editions for CPE exam and state licensing exam candidates preparing for IBEC certification.
- Journal of Electrology (JOE) Semi-annual peer-reviewed professional journal featuring articles on industry trends, research, health topics, and electrology techniques, with an accompanying 0.3 CEU online exam for members.
- JOE Online Exam Registration Online examination system for Journal of Electrology home study courses, granting 0.3 CEUs per exam with immediate grading and automatic transcript updates.
Quantifiable outcome
- 150 years of permanent hair removal - electrolysis since 1875
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use American Electrology Association
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
American Electrology Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
American Electrology Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
American Electrology Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- British Institute & Association of Electrolysis (BIAE): UK-based professional body for electrologists offering membership, training standards, and practitioner directories. International sister organization to AEA, directly comparable in mission and structure.
- International Guild of Professional Electrologists (IGPE): International electrologist professional guild offering membership and continuing education. Most directly comparable international peer to AEA in the electrology profession specifically.
- Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Trade and membership association for licensed estheticians and skin care professionals in the US, offering liability insurance, CE, and advocacy. Closest analogue to AEA in business model, with parallel dues-plus-services monetization in the personal-care profession.
- National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations (NCEA): NCEA is a national certification body for estheticians, mirroring AEA's IBEC/CPE credentialing role for electrologists. Highly comparable as a peer credentialing and advocacy organization in adjacent personal-care professions.
Broad incumbents
- The Aesthetic Society (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery): Established membership society for board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons. Comparable professional-association model in the broader aesthetic-services ecosystem that consumes and refers electrology services.
- Professional Beauty Association (PBA): Large US trade association for the professional beauty industry (salons, spas, distributors, manufacturers). Overlapping membership-association model but at much larger scale and broader category than electrology.
- American Med Spa Association (AmSpa): Larger trade association serving medical aesthetic and med-spa practices with training, legal resources, and vendor relationships. Adjacent in the aesthetics professional-association market but broader in scope.
Others
- American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS): Physician/scientist society advancing laser and energy-based medicine, including hair removal. Competes for share-of-practice against electrolysis at the modality layer; not a direct association peer but a structural threat to AEA members.
Regional players
- National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC): US-based body that develops model licensing standards and examinations for cosmetology, including electrology. Comparable to AEA on the regulatory-standards side, though not a competing membership association.
Emerging players
- Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP): Membership and certification organization for permanent cosmetic professionals (e.g., micro-pigmentation). Comparable niche trade association model in the broader permanent-cosmetic services space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American Electrology Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Electrology Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
American Electrology Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Electrology Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Electrology Association
What does American Electrology Association do?
The American Electrology Association is a nonprofit membership organization that supports electrologists (permanent hair removal professionals) through certification (IBEC/CPE), continuing education, professional publications, advocacy, and an annual convention. It maintains the Find an Electrologist directory connecting consumers to member practitioners and operates an online store selling study materials, professional forms, and branded merchandise.
Is American Electrology Association a public or private company?
American Electrology Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Electrology Association founded?
American Electrology Association was founded in 1958. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is American Electrology Association based?
American Electrology Association is headquartered in Garrettsville, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Electrology Association make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are online Store Sales, advertising - Electrology World, event Registration, CEU and Certification Services and classified and Job Listings.
Who are American Electrology Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are British Institute & Association of Electrolysis (BIAE), International Guild of Professional Electrologists (IGPE), Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) and National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations (NCEA). Broad incumbents are The Aesthetic Society (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and American Med Spa Association (AmSpa). American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) is listed as an others. National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) is listed as a regional player. Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) is listed as an emerging player.
Does American Electrology Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Electrology Association.
What industry is American Electrology Association in?
American Electrology Association's product category is Professional Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSALANAF, Hair Removal Training (Waxing/Sugaring/Laser), with a secondary code of HSALAGAG, Electrolysis Hair Removal Services. Its NAICS code is 611511 and its SIC code is 8600.