National Laser Institute’s Cosmetic Laser Training Certificates Are ‘Worthless’ in Illinois, Class Action Lawsuit Claims

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges National Laser Institute (NLI) offers “worthless” courses and certifications for cosmetic laser technician training in Illinois and operates illegally without approval from the state’s Board of Higher Education.

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The 45-page lawsuit accuses the private vocational school and its CEO, Louis Silberman, of using predatory marketing and business tactics that specifically target unsuspecting students with little to no experience in cosmetology or esthetics who are seeking a career change.

According to the case, the defendants have misleadingly promised Illinois students that completing NLI’s expensive coursework—which can reportedly cost anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 for ten days of instruction—would result in them becoming a “certified cosmetic laser technician.” Students are also led to believe that this certification would allow them to quickly secure employment or start their own business offering laser-based cosmetic treatments, the filing says.

“Despite the promises and representations made by Defendants in their marketing and courses, NLI’s certificates in no way qualify its students to engage in what it calls ‘medical aesthetics’ or to perform any laser treatments for a number of reasons,” the complaint alleges.

For one, the state of Illinois does not recognize the practice of “medical esthetics,” as it can mislead consumers into believing that the “medical esthetician” performing treatments has some type of state-sanctioned medical training, the filing relays. The complaint also notes that no NLI graduate in Illinois could own a business performing laser treatments unless they were also a licensed physician or had one present to supervise.

“Unfortunately, Defendants fail to mention any of this to NLI’s students and go to great lengths to conceal the reality of the regulatory structures imposed on the industry they purport to offer a gateway into,” the suit argues.

What’s more, it is industry standard in Illinois for individuals performing cosmetic treatments with powerful lasers to hold an esthetician license, the case says. The complaint alleges NLI deliberately hides from prospective students that most med spas within the state are unlikely to hire someone to perform laser treatments without an esthetician license or substantial experience. As a result, many NLI graduates have struggled to secure jobs within the industry, the filing claims.

The complaint further claims that NLI illegally operates courses and awards certificates without the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s approval. The case alleges that Illinois residents would not have enrolled in NLI’s virtual and in-person courses had they known the certificates they received upon graduating were actually worthless and awarded in contravention of state law.

Also named as a defendant in the case is NLI’s sister company, Louology. Per the suit, Louology was founded and is managed by Silberman to provide NLI students “mentorship” for finding employment or starting their own business in the industry.

The lawsuit looks to represent anyone who enrolled in an NLI laser course that took place in Illinois during the applicable statute of limitations period.

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