WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT Becoming a Provider at The Electrolysis Collective

  • TEC serves as an incubator for independent electrologists, while making permanent hair removal more accessible to patients in a centralized location.

    Many electrologists choose this field for the freedom it offers, but high startup costs and limited business experience can make launching a practice difficult. We let you start your business with minimal upfront investment: providing infrastructure, resources, and professional development needed to build a sustainable practice - including the ability to accept health insurance.

    You’re a self-employed business owner, not an employee. You build your own practice, develop your own client base, and if you ever leave TEC, you take your clients and your business with you.

  • Equipment and Supplies

    • Fully equipped treatment room: Clareblend Elegance+ epilator, hydraulic table, lighting, magnifying lamp, etc

      • Treatment Supplies: Probes, gloves, astringents, etc.

      • Voice Activated Speaker w/streaming music and podcasts

    • Client Comfort Supplies: disposable eye masks, ice packs, etc

    • Sanitizing/Sterilizing Equipment & Supplies: dry heat sterilizing oven, sterilizer pouches, etc

    • Health & Safety Support: monthly spore testing of the dry heat sterilizer, etc

    Facility License

    • Providers are covered under our Facility License, so you don’t need to obtain your own

    Practice Management Software 

    • HIPAA-compliant platform / Electronic Health Record (EHR)

    • Online booking and intake forms

    • Encrypted provider-to-patient messaging

    • Checkout & payment processing

    • Automated email & text appointment reminders

    • Wait List

    Credit Card Processing & ACH/EFT Fees

    • TEC covers Stripe credit card processing and ACH/EFT fees.

    Health Insurance Credentialing & Claims Processing

    • We work with a third-party health insurance administration partner.

    • TEC pays 100% of the costs to initiate and maintain your insurance credentialing & contracting with up to two companies.

    • TEC pays 50% of volume-based fees: Ongoing claims processing, co-pay collection, and co-insurance processing fees.

    Valuable Resources FREE of Charge

    • Client Referrals forwarded to you; referrals are shared fairly between all providers

    • Online Presence: A profile and online booking page on the TEC website. No need to build a website right now.

    • Start Up and Professional Development info including:

      • How to Apply: Oregon Electrology Licensing & Exams

      • Business Start-Up Roadmap & Checklist

      • Branding & Marketing Tips for developing your brand, attracting clients, etc

      • Best Practices Guidance: Essential insights without the years of trial and error

        • Smart Scheduling: Maximize productivity while protecting your health

        • Appointment Policies: Cancellation, consultation, and first-appointment guidelines to protect your time and best serve your patients

        • How-To Develop Treatment Plans: Fill your schedule and maximize client results

  • Each electrologist / business operating on the premises must have the following:

    • Active Oregon Electrologist License (initial license approx. $125, annual renewal $25)

    • Liability Insurance ($140-$275 annually)

    • Provide your own tablet or laptop to access practice management software.

    • Provide your own loupes if you require a prescription or custom working distance.

      • *Magnifying lamps and non-prescription loupes are available for use.

    Ongoing responsibilities include:

    • Maintain Electrologist License & liability insurance

    • Comply with HIPAA, HLO Health & Safety standards, and TEC Code of Conduct

    • Manage your own schedule, patients, and follow up with client referrals.

    • Pay your own taxes (federal, state, etc)

    • Keep all TEC equipment in good working condition

  • Start with a 12-month term, then continue month-to-month.

    • Choose 2 to 5 Time Blocks per week

      • Start with as little as 2 Time Blocks and add more, as your patient base grows

    • Select the days and Time Blocks that work best for you

      AM Time Blocks: Start as early as you like, end by 2:30 PM

      PM Time Blocks: Begin as early as 3 PM and run as late as needed

      Time Block options based upon availability

  • The numbers can get complicated (especially when insurance is involved) — we make it as simple as possible for the provider. 

    Revenue Split

    • 63% to you (automatically deposited weekly to the provider’s bank account)

    • 37% to TEC

    Ongoing Expenses Invoiced Monthly

    • TEC Time Block fees: $15 per reserved block

      • Get started for as little as $30 / week (2 Time Blocks)

    • 50% of health insurance claims processing fees

      • Fees are only incurred when health insurance pays claims and range from 1.75%–3.25% of claims paid.

      • Insurance reimbursement rates are typically higher than self pay rates, more than offsetting claims processing fees.

        NOTE: Insurance credentialing takes time, so providers work exclusively with self-pay patients for the first 1-3 months.

    Provider Earnings

    Average earnings per treatment hour (after revenue split and insurance processing fees) typically range from $75–$105 (rates vary by treatment area, payer, etc.)

  • Q: How quickly after I'm licensed can I start working?

    A: Most TEC providers begin phone consultations and working with models within one week of licensure, and begin treating paying patients within 2–3 weeks.

    To start working as quickly as possible, we recommend applying before graduation. This allows you to use TEC’s provider resources (including our business startup checklist) to complete business set up during the gap between graduation and licensure (typically 4-6 weeks), so you’re ready to work when your license arrives.

    Applicants may also request specific Time Blocks in advance, and we’ll make every reasonable effort to reserve them while you complete licensing, subject to availability.

    Q: How long will it take until I’m busy?

    A: Three factors have the biggest impact on how quickly your schedule fills:

    1. Client retention: Providers who focus on retaining clients (we’ll teach you effective methods) typically have their first two Time Blocks mostly filled within 4–8 weeks.

    2. Availability & Services: Providers who offer evening appointments, weekends, or surgery prep electrolysis are in the highest demand.

    3. Insurance: Providers who accept insurance attract patients seeking medically necessary treatment, rather than cosmetic hair removal, meaning they are more likely to stick to a treatment plan.

    Q: Why are there Time Block fees?

    A:

    1. To help ensure that treatment rooms are reserved only when they'll be used.

    2. So that upfront investment is mutual. TEC makes a significant upfront investment in each provider (both financially and in time spent) and we ask providers to make a small upfront commitment as well. We intentionally keep the fee as low as possible (starting at just $30 per week for two Time Blocks).

    Q: Do providers pay Time Block fees on days they aren't there?

    A: Yes. Time Block fees work like rent - they reserve your scheduled treatment time whether or not you use it.

    Q: Why doesn't TEC simply charge a higher percentage and cover 100% of insurance claims processing?

    A: We could, but in some cases, providers would earn less $$$ per treatment hour. By billing insurance claims processing separately, we keep the revenue split lower so providers take home more.

    Q: Can I use my own epilator or treatment supplies?

    A: Absolutely. You're welcome to use your own epilator, instruments, treatment supplies, or other equipment if you prefer.

    Q: What if I have questions or need guidance, will I have support? 

    A: YES. Absolutely. We've developed processes for nearly everything you'll encounter and we'll help you learn them. We're typically in the office or just a text or phone call away.

    A note about independence: Because you are an independent business owner, we do not direct your clinical judgment, such as which modality you use, which patients you accept, or how you perform treatments.

    That being said, if you have questions, want a second opinion, or need help troubleshooting a situation, we're here to support you.

    1. Schedule a walkthrough of TEC; we’ll chat and answer your questions to see if TEC is the right environment for you.

    2. Submit your application.

    3. Once we’ve processed your application and checked your references, we’ll contact you with next steps.