state requirements and laws to operate a cosmetic laser

This page contains our interpretation of laser rules in the US and is not intended to be legal advice.

Federal law states the incision, destruction or alteration of human tissue by the use of a Class IIIb or IV laser is the practice of medicine.  The only person who can practice medicine is a licensed physician.  From that point, EACH STATE then has rules that regulate if the physician can DELEGATE the firing of a laser and to whom can be delegated to. The physician can only delegate medical services they have training or experience in AND can only delegate to someone who has had structured and formal training. If you are firing a Class IIIb or IV laser and are not a physician or are not under the supervision of a physician, you are practicing medicine without a license.

See our definitions on laser rules below for more information. Please be sure to check with the agencies about the laser rules in your state for you to be able to practice.  State regulations are usually governed by the state licensing agency or the state medical board.

Please call our College Administrator for updates.

Definitions of laser rules:

Supervision:

Laser Specialist must work under the responsible supervision of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Direct:

Laser Specialist must work under the direct supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals depending on the state. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Physician ONLY:

Medical Doctor or Physician Assistant are the only professionals that can fire a laser.  A non-medical professional shall not own this clinic.


Alabama
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Alaska
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Arizona
State licensing is required and governed by the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency (ARRA) for approved laser training. The Rocky Mountain Laser College is not an approved trainer.

Arkansas
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

California
Physician ONLY – Medical Doctor, Physician Assistant or Registered Nurse are the only professionals that can fire a laser.  A non-medical professional may not own this clinic.

Canada
Most Provinces require a medical directorship to own and/or operate the laser.  More information on laser rules can be found on the Health Canada website.

Colorado
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site.  Colorado follows the revised 2017 Rule 800 which governs the delegation responsibilities of a physician. Colorado residents must have an Esthetician or Cosmetology license, or be a licensed medical professional to attend laser training.

Connecticut
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Delaware
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals. The physician must personally evaluate each patient at least every three months.

Florida
Medical Doctor, physician assistant or registered nurse are the only persons who can fire a laser except in laser hair removal where an electrologist with state approved laser/electrolysis training can perform treatments.  Please read the Florida laws 

Georgia

A state license is required for anyone (except an MD) to fire a laser.  Training must be taken at an approved training facility.  CLICK HERE then scroll down and select ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for the newest Georgia laser laws.

Hawaii
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Idaho
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Illinois
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Indiana
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Iowa
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.  Laser Specialist must be a MD, PA, RN, Electrologist, Aesthetician or Cosmetologist to fire the laser.

Kansas
Supervision – A Medical Spa (laser) must be owned, in part, by a physician, who can also be the Medical Director. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Kentucky
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Louisiana
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Maine
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Maryland
Physician ONLY – MD is the only professional that can fire the laser.

Massachusetts
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Michigan
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Minnesota
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Mississippi
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Missouri
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Montana
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Nebraska
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can only delegate the firing of the laser to licensed medical professionals.

Nevada
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

New Hampshire
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

New Jersey
Physician ONLY -MD is the only professional that can fire the laser.

New Mexico
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

New York
No specific laws at the present time. No Medical Director or doctor needed. Non-medical professionals may own business and operate the laser.

North Carolina 
Supervision – The use of light based devices is regulated under the North Carolina Board of Electrolysis Examiners at www.ncbee.com.  State licensing is required.  Rocky Mountain Laser College is an approved North Carolina laser trainer.

North Dakota
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Ohio
Physician ONLY -MD is the only professional that can fire the laser.

Oklahoma
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

Oregon
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Pennsylvania
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Rhode Island
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

South Carolina
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser to medical or non-medical professionals.

South Dakota
Physician ONLY -MD is the only professional that can fire the laser.

Tennessee
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic. Electrologists can fire the laser without a physician.

Texas
Supervision – Non-medical professionals may own business and operate the laser. Medical director (MD) is a must and does not have to be on-site. State license required for hair removal, with training provided by a Texas Workforce Commission approved school. Tattoo removal or skin rejuvenation does not need a Texas license.  Rocky Mountain Laser College is not an approved trainer for hair removal license.

Utah
Direct – supervision of a physician who is on site while the laser is firing. The physician can delegate the firing of the laser for non-ablative treatments only to PA, RN or Master Esthetician.

Vermont
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Virginia
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Washington
Only MD, PA, RN or Master Aesthetician can operate the laser. MD or PA must oversee initial consultations. Non-medical professionals may own business.

West Virginia
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Wisconsin
Supervision – of a physician who does not have to be on site. The physician must live within the community which he is supervising. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Wyoming 
Non-ablative lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices may be used under supervision of a properly trained MD / APRN / PA who does not have to be on site. Must have a written provider order after a face to face assessment pursuant to Wyoming State Board of Nursing-Cosmetic & Dermatologic Procedures.  A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own the clinic.

Canada Laser Rules

  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Nova Scotia
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan

Most Provinces require Laser Specialist to work under the responsible supervision of a physician who does not have to be on site.  More information on laser rules can be found on the Health Canada website.

Please Contact Us with any questions or laser rules update at: 1-800-314-4990