June 2026 SPCP Newsletter
In this issue:
Convention News
All 4 workshops announced
This month's Sip 'n Share Replay
Article. Understanding ICHRA: A Modern Approach to Employer - Sponsored Health Benefits
Member News
CPTP is now available online.
Convention tickets are still available now.
Convention News
2026 SPCP Convention - September 19 - 21 in Phoenix, AZ
Four Incredible Hands-On Workshops. Three Unforgettable Days.
We're excited to officially announce all four of our featured workshops for the 2026 SPCP Convention plus our bonus presentations.
This year's lineup brings together two returning crowd favorites, Mandy Sauler and Kris Fernicola, alongside two exciting new presenters, Ciara Amir and Pam Neighbors. Each bringing fresh techniques, real-world experience, and hands-on education you can immediately apply in your practice.
Mandy Sauler returns with a workshop designed to transform the way you approach lip procedures. If you're only offering one lip technique, you're limiting both your results and your services. Mandy will guide attendees through different lip styles, needle configurations, and application techniques to help you confidently customize treatments for every client.
After an overwhelmingly positive response at last year's Paramedical Tattoo Summit, Kris Fernicola is back by popular demand. Her realistic areola tattooing left attendees amazed, and this year she'll be leading a comprehensive hands-on workshop where artists will learn the techniques behind creating beautiful, natural-looking areola restorations.
Ciara Amir will present Brows for Global Complexions, an advanced workshop focused on achieving consistent healed results across every Fitzpatrick skin type. Rather than teaching a one-size-fits-all technique, Ciara will show artists how to assess skin, adapt their approach, and create beautiful brows that heal predictably on clients of every complexion.
Rounding out the lineup is Pam Neighbors, who will introduce attendees to the world of Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP). With decades of experience, Pam will teach artists how to understand skin behavior, avoid common healing issues, and achieve consistent, natural-looking SMP results. It's the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to expand into one of the fastest-growing areas of the industry.
These aren't just demonstrations, they're immersive, hands-on workshops designed to help you build confidence, refine your skills, and leave with techniques you can start using immediately.
We can't wait to see you in Phoenix this September!
Read more about the 4 workshops & other presentations, plus Register here: https://spcp.org/convention
Sip 'n' Share Replay
If you missed both sessions, you can now catch up all at once.
We're excited to share that the replay for SPCP Sip 'n' Share Series | Client Centered Care; The Heart of What We Do with Nahid Farzinzad, CPCP CPTP is now available!
Member News
APPLY FOR CPTP NOW
The Certified Paramedical Tattoo Professional (CPTP) exam is now available online. Applications are open.
The CPTP designation is the first certification developed specifically for paramedical tattooing, including nipple/areola restoration and scar camouflage.
Created to establish clear professional standards, this credential formally recognizes practitioners who demonstrate competency, knowledge, and ethical responsibility within this specialized field.
Approved candidates can schedule their secure online exam at a time convenient to them. There is no longer a need to wait until "exam day."
For professionals seeking to distinguish their expertise in paramedical tattooing, eligibility requirements and application details are available here: https://spcp.org/paramedical-tattoo-certification
📣 Volunteer Opportunity – SPCP Newsletter Editor
The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) is looking for a volunteerNewsletter Editorto help create and publish our monthly member newsletter.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys writing, editing, organizing information, and staying connected with the PMU and paramedical tattoo community.
As Newsletter Editor, you will work with content provided by the SPCP team, including member news, certification announcements, convention updates, educational articles, and other important information. Your role will be to gather, organize, edit, and publish the newsletter each month.
No previous experience with our newsletter platform is required. Training and guidance will be provided on how to use our system and publish newsletter blog posts.
The time commitment is approximately 4 hours per month, making this a flexible volunteer opportunity that can easily fit around your existing schedule.
This position is a great way to become more involved with SPCP, contribute to member education and communication, gain volunteer experience, and earn volunteer service hours while supporting the growth of our professional community. Our volunteers enjoy SPCP recognition opportunities & other benefits.
If you are detail-oriented, reliable, and enjoy working with written content, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]
ARTICLE.
Understanding ICHRA: A Modern Approach to Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits
by Nora Clougherty (Gallagher Health - SPCP Sponsor)
As healthcare costs continue to rise and workforce needs evolve, many organizations are exploring alternatives to traditional group health insurance. One increasingly popular option is the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) - a flexible, employer-funded benefit that empowers employees while giving organizations greater cost control.
What Is an ICHRA?
An ICHRA is an IRS-approved health benefit that allows employers to reimburse employees on a pre-tax basis for individual health insurance premiums and eligible medical expenses.
Unlike traditional group health plans, ICHRAs shift the structure of healthcare coverage. Employers provide a set allowance to employees which can include dependents. Employees use that allowance to purchase either ACA-compliant health plans or Medicare coverage, depending on their age. Both employer and employee share the cost, like a traditional plan structure.
This approach offers several advantages:
Cost control: Employers set predictable budgets by defining reimbursement limits
Flexibility: Allowances can vary based on employee classifications such as location, age, or employment status (full-time, part-time, seasonal, etc.)
Accessibility: Businesses of any size can offer ICHRAs with no minimum participation requirements
Tax benefits: Employer contributions are tax-deductible, and reimbursements are tax-free for employees
How ICHRA Works
The most significant difference between ICHRAs and traditional group plans is choice. Instead of selecting a single plan for all employees, employers offer a financial contribution, and employees choose coverage that best fits their needs. Coverage is based on where employees live, not where the employer is located. Employers are not tied to group-rated premium increases which helps stabilize costs year over year.
Most importantly, ICHRAs improve recruitment and retention by giving employees ownership over their healthcare decisions. It is important to note that employees cannot combine an employer-funded ICHRA with ACA premium subsidies.
For employees under age 65, ICHRAs pair with Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans and employees 65+ will utilize full Medicare plans, with both solutions offering protections and flexibility similar to group coverage, but with added personal choice.
ICHRA Enrollment and Plan Changes
ICHRAs can begin at any time, but all health plans follow a calendar year
Employees must enroll during initial the ICHRA onboarding or the ACA Open Enrollment Period that starts in November each year
Plan changes are allowed for Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) such as marriage, divorce, childbirth, or relocation
New hires have a 60-day window from date if hire to enroll
Why Employers Are Choosing ICHRAs
ICHRAs represent a shift toward personalized, portable, and predictable healthcare benefits. By moving away from one-size-fits-all group plans, organizations can better manage healthcare costs, provide greater employee choice and satisfaction, simplify administration, and stay competitive in recruiting top talent. At the same time, employees gain control over their health coverage - choosing plans that truly align with their medical, financial, and personal needs.
As part of your association membership, you have access to Gallagher as an exclusive benefit. If you’d like help understanding ICHRAs or exploring your options, you can connect with a licensed Gallagher broker at 800-913-0479 or visit https://ahs-member-us.ajg.com/spcp/ to learn more.
