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Who Can Open a Med Spa: A State-by-State Guide

By: Nextech | December 16th, 2024

There’s never been a better time to start a med spa. In 2023, the industry was valued at $18.79 billion in annual revenue, and it's expected to continue growing. Opening a med spa can be a smart financial move. But it's only possible if you meet the licensure requirements to do so.

So, can a licensed nurse or esthetician open their own med spa? Defining what license is required isn’t so simple since the answer to the question, “What medical license do you need to open a med spa?” varies by state.

Who Can Own a Med Spa

In all states, a medical doctor (M.D.) can open a med spa. If someone isn’t a licensed medical doctor but wants to open a med spa, they may be able to, depending on their state’s laws. The various healthcare credentials that may allow you to open a med spa include:

Physician’s assistant
Nurse practitioner
Nurse (usually need to be an RN, not an LPN or a nurse with a different license type)
Esthetician

Depending on the state, a non-medical professional may be able to be a co-owner, so long as an M.D. serves as the medical director and they employ licensed professionals to provide med spa services.

Who Can Open a Med Spa by State

What license you need to open a med spa depends on your state. To help you determine if you meet your state’s regulations, we compiled information on each state’s med spa ownership regulations.

Alabama

Doctor	In Alabama, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in Alabama.
Nurse practitioner	In Alabama, nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in Alabama.
Esthetician	In Alabama, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in Alabama.

Alaska

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Alaska.
Physician’s assistant	In Alaska, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa in Alaska but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	In Alaska, nurses can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	Estheticians can own a med spa in Alaska but can only perform services within the scope of their license and may need to contract a medical director.
Non-medical professional	In Alaska, non-medical professionals can own a med spa, but licensed professionals must perform all services.

Arizona

Doctor	In Arizona, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Arizona but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In Arizona, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Arizona but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	In Arizona, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license and may need to contract a medical director.
Non-medical professional	In Arizona, non-medical professionals can own a med spa, but licensed professionals must perform all services.

Arkansas

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Arkansas.
Physician’s assistant	In Arkansas, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Arkansas.
Nurse	In Arkansas, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Arkansas.
Non-medical professional	In Arkansas, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

California

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in California.
Physician’s assistant	In California, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in California.
Nurse	In California, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in California.
Non-medical professional	In California, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Colorado

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Colorado.
Physician’s assistant	In Colorado, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa if co-owned by a licensed medical professional. They can only own up to 49% of the med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Colorado.
Nurse	In Colorado, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Colorado.
Non-medical professional	In Colorado, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Connecticut

Doctor	In Connecticut, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Connecticut but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In Connecticut, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license and may need to contract a medical director.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Connecticut but can only perform services within the scope of their license and may need to contract a medical director.
Esthetician	In Connecticut, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license and may need to contract a medical director.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Connecticut, but all services must be performed by a licensed medical professional.

Delaware

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Delaware.
Physician’s assistant	In Delaware, physician’s assistants (PAs) can co-own a med spa, but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can co-own a med spa in Delaware but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	In Delaware, nurses can co-own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	Estheticians can co-own a med spa in Delaware but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	In Delaware, non-medical professionals can co-own a med spa, but all services must be carried out by licensed professionals.

Florida

Doctor	In Florida, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Florida but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In Florida, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Florida but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	In Florida, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Florida but must employ licensed medical professionals.

Georgia

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Georgia.
Physician’s assistant	In Georgia, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa in Georgia but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	In Georgia, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	Estheticians can own a med spa in Georgia but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	In Georgia, non-medical professionals can own a med spa, but all services must be performed by licensed professionals.

Hawaii

Doctor	In Hawaii, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Hawaii but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In Hawaii, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Hawaii but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	In Hawaii, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Hawaii but must employ licensed medical professionals to perform services.

Idaho

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Idaho.
Physician’s assistant	In Idaho, physician’s assistants (PAs) can co-own a med spa but cannot be the primary owner. All services must be managed by a physician or physician’s group.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can co-own a med spa in Idaho but cannot be the primary owner. All services must be managed by a physician or physician’s group.
Nurse	In Idaho, nurses can co-own a med spa but cannot be the primary owner. All services must be managed by a physician or physician’s group.
Esthetician	Estheticians can co-own a med spa in Idaho but cannot be the primary owner. All services must be managed by a physician or physician’s group.
Non-medical professional	In Idaho, non-medical professionals can co-own part of a med spa but cannot be the primary owner. All services must be managed by a physician or physician’s group.

Illinois

Doctor	In Illinois, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in Illinois.
Nurse practitioner	In Illinois, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa under physician supervision and with specialized education in med spa services.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in Illinois.
Esthetician	In Illinois, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in Illinois.

Indiana

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Indiana.
Physician’s assistant	In Indiana, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Indiana.
Nurse	In Indiana, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Indiana.
Non-medical professional	In Indiana, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Iowa

Doctor	In Iowa, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Iowa but must contract an M.D. as a medical director.
Nurse practitioner	In Iowa, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but must contract an M.D. as a medical director.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Iowa but must contract an M.D. as a medical director.
Esthetician	In Iowa, estheticians can own a med spa but must contract an M.D. as a medical director.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Iowa but must contract an M.D. as a medical director.

Kansas

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Kansas.
Physician’s assistant	In Kansas, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Kansas.
Nurse	In Kansas, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Kansas.
Non-medical professional	In Kansas, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Kentucky

Doctor	In Kentucky, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in Kentucky.
Nurse practitioner	In Kentucky, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform procedures within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in Kentucky.
Esthetician	In Kentucky, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in Kentucky.

Louisiana

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Louisiana.
Physician’s assistant	In Louisiana, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa in Louisiana but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	In Louisiana, nurses can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	Estheticians can own a med spa in Louisiana but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	In Louisiana, non-medical professionals can own a med spa but must employ licensed medical professionals to perform services.

Maine

Doctor	In Maine, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Maine but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In Maine, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Maine but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	In Maine, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Maine but must employ licensed medical professionals to perform services.

Maryland

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Maryland.
Physician’s assistant	In Maryland, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) can own a med spa in Maryland.
Nurse	In Maryland, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Maryland.
Non-medical professional	In Maryland, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Massachusetts

Doctor	In Massachusetts, doctors can own and operate a med spa. The med spa must be certified by Massachusetts’ Department of Health.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Massachusetts with the proper state certifications.
Nurse practitioner	In Massachusetts, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa if the med spa is licensed by the state’s department of health.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Massachusetts with the proper state certifications.
Esthetician	In Massachusetts, estheticians can own a med spa if the med spa is licensed by the state’s department of health.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Massachusetts if the med spa is licensed by the state’s department of health.

Michigan

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Michigan.
Physician’s assistant	In Michigan, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa with the right business structure (such as a PLLC) and a doctor as a medical director and co-owner.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa in Michigan with the right business structure (such as a PLLC) and a doctor as a medical director and co-owner.
Nurse	In Michigan, nurses can own a med spa with the right business structure (such as a PLLC) and a doctor as a medical director and co-owner.
Esthetician	Estheticians can own a med spa in Michigan, with the right business (such as a PLLC) structure and a doctor as a medical director and co-owner.
Non-medical professional	In Michigan, non-medical professionals can own a med spa with the right business (such as a PLLC) structure and a doctor as a medical director and co-owner.

Minnesota

Doctor	In Minnesota, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in Minnesota.
Nurse practitioner	In Minnesota, nurse practitioners (NPs) can sometimes own a med spa if they have a relevant specialty.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in Minnesota.
Esthetician	In Minnesota, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in Minnesota.

Mississippi

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Mississippi.
Physician’s assistant	In Mississippi, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa if set up as a PLLC.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa if set up as a PLLC in Mississippi.
Nurse	In Mississippi, nurses can own a med spa if set up as a PLLC.
Esthetician	Estheticians can own a med spa if set up as a PLLC in Mississippi.
Non-medical professional	In Mississippi, non-medical professionals can own a med spa if the med spa is set up as a PLLC.

Missouri

Doctor	In Missouri, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in Missouri.
Nurse practitioner	In Missouri, nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in Missouri.
Esthetician	In Missouri, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in Missouri.

Montana

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Montana.
Physician’s assistant	In Montana, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa if they have a relevant specialty and additional training.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa in Montana if they have a relevant specialty and additional training.
Nurse	In Montana, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Montana.
Non-medical professional	In Montana, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Nebraska

Doctor	In Nebraska, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in Nebraska.
Nurse practitioner	In Nebraska, nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in Nebraska.
Esthetician	In Nebraska, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in Nebraska.

Nevada

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Nevada.
Physician’s assistant	In Nevada, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa but can share in a med spa’s profit.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa but can share in a med spa’s profit in Nevada.
Nurse	In Nevada, nurses cannot own a med spa but can share in a med spa’s profit.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Nevada but can share in a med spa’s profit.
Non-medical professional	In Nevada, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa but can share in a med spa’s profit.

New Hampshire

Doctor	In New Hampshire, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in New Hampshire but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In New Hampshire, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in New Hampshire but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	In New Hampshire, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in New Hampshire but must employ licensed medical professionals.

New Jersey

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in New Jersey.
Physician’s assistant	In New Jersey, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in New Jersey.
Nurse	In New Jersey, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in New Jersey.
Non-medical professional	In New Jersey, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

New Mexico

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in New Mexico.
Physician’s assistant	In New Mexico, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa in New Mexico but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	In New Mexico, nurses can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	Estheticians can own a med spa in New Mexico but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	In New Mexico, non-medical professionals can own a med spa but must employ licensed medical professionals.

New York

Doctor	In New York, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in New York.
Nurse practitioner	In New York, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa if their license is in a relevant specialty.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in New York.
Esthetician	In New York, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in New York.

North Carolina

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in North Carolina.
Physician’s assistant	In North Carolina, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa, but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa in North Carolina but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	In North Carolina, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in North Carolina.
Non-medical professional	In North Carolina, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

North Dakota

Doctor	In North Dakota, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in North Dakota.
Nurse practitioner	In North Dakota, nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in North Dakota.
Esthetician	In North Dakota, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in North Dakota.

Ohio

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Ohio.
Physician’s assistant	In Ohio, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Ohio.
Nurse	In Ohio, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Ohio.
Non-medical professional	In Ohio, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Oklahoma

Doctor	In Oklahoma, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Oklahoma but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In Oklahoma, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Oklahoma but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	In Oklahoma, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Oklahoma but must employ licensed medical professionals.

Oregon

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Oregon.
Physician’s assistant	In Oregon, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa in Oregon.
Nurse	In Oregon, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Oregon.
Non-medical professional	In Oregon, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Pennsylvania

Doctor	In Pennsylvania, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in Pennsylvania.
Nurse practitioner	In Pennsylvania, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in Pennsylvania.
Esthetician	In Pennsylvania, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Rhode Island.
Physician’s assistant	In Rhode Island, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Rhode Island.
Nurse	In Rhode Island, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Rhode Island.
Non-medical professional	In Rhode Island, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

South Carolina

Doctor	In South Carolina, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in South Carolina but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In South Carolina, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in South Carolina but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	In South Carolina, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in South Carolina but must employ licensed medical professionals to perform all services.

South Dakota

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in South Dakota.
Physician’s assistant	In South Dakota, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in South Dakota.
Nurse	In South Dakota, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in South Dakota.
Non-medical professional	In South Dakota, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Tennessee

Doctor	In Tennessee, doctors can own and operate a med spa, either on their own or in partnership with licensed chiropractors or podiatrists.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in Tennessee.
Nurse practitioner	In Tennessee, nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in Tennessee.
Esthetician	In Tennessee, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in Tennessee.

Texas

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Texas.
Physician’s assistant	In Texas, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Texas.
Nurse	In Texas, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians can own a med spa in Texas if they only provide laser hair removal services.
Non-medical professional	In Texas, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Utah

Doctor	In Utah, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license in Utah.
Nurse practitioner	In Utah, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license in Utah.
Esthetician	In Utah, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Utah but must employ licensed medical professionals.

Vermont

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Vermont.
Physician’s assistant	In Vermont, physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license in Vermont.
Nurse	In Vermont, nurses can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	Estheticians can own a med spa in Vermont but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	In Vermont, non-medical professionals can own a med spa but must employ licensed medical professionals.

Virginia

Doctor	In Virginia, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license in Virginia.
Nurse practitioner	In Virginia, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa in Virginia but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Esthetician	In Virginia, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Virginia but must employ licensed medical professionals.

Washington

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Washington.
Physician’s assistant	In Washington, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Washington.
Nurse	In Washington, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Washington.
Non-medical professional	In Washington, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

West Virginia

Doctor	In West Virginia, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa in West Virginia.
Nurse practitioner	In West Virginia, nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse	Nurses cannot own a med spa in West Virginia.
Esthetician	In West Virginia, estheticians cannot own a med spa.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa in West Virginia.

Wisconsin

Doctor	Doctors can own and operate a med spa in Wisconsin.
Physician’s assistant	In Wisconsin, physician’s assistants (PAs) cannot own a med spa.
Nurse practitioner	Nurse practitioners (NPs) cannot own a med spa in Wisconsin.
Nurse	In Wisconsin, nurses cannot own a med spa.
Esthetician	Estheticians cannot own a med spa in Wisconsin.
Non-medical professional	In Wisconsin, non-medical professionals cannot own a med spa.

Wyoming

Doctor	In Wyoming, doctors can own and operate a med spa.
Physician’s assistant	Physician’s assistants (PAs) can own a med spa in Wyoming but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse practitioner	In Wyoming, nurse practitioners (NPs) can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Nurse	Nurses can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license in Wyoming.
Esthetician	In Wyoming, estheticians can own a med spa but can only perform services within the scope of their license.
Non-medical professional	Non-medical professionals can own a med spa in Wyoming but must employ licensed medical professionals.

Other Med Spa Regulations to Consider

After you double-check the licensure requirements for owning a med spa in your state, there are other regulations to keep in mind. For example, here are four important ones new med spa owners must consider:

Becoming HIPAA compliant: HIPAA is a set of privacy laws that all medical practices, including med spas, must follow.
Compensation laws: Many states set laws that require med spas to operate under a "corporate practice of medicine." These laws regulate how med spas pay and offer incentives, often regulating against unfair practices like fee-splitting and kickbacks.
Acquiring a business license: To run a med spa, you must have the right business license. This license can be applied for through your state’s department of commerce or business.
Follow OSHA safety guidelines: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforces various laws and regulations to keep workers safe. All businesses, including med spas, must follow them.

Your med spa should regularly check that you remain compliant with these regulations, whether that looks like assigning a bi-annual compliance check to a qualified staff member or completing that check yourself. Depending on what med spa technology provider you use, you may receive regular updates on any regulatory changes and your software may be modified as needed so your business maintains compliance.

How to Open a Med Spa

There are eight main steps to open a med spa:

Ensure you meet all state laws and regulations
Create a business plan and apply for a business license
Invest in med spa equipment
Purchase the right ensure and staff training
Establish effective administrative processes and support them with the right tech
Hire skilled professionals
Hire an accountant
Create a med spa marketing plan

There’s a lot of work that goes into opening a med spa, which is why it’s best to take it one step at a time. The first step is ensuring you have the right credentials to open a med spa in your state. After, you can apply for that business license and tackle the remaining steps.

Common Mistakes New Owners Make

Many mistakes stem from not following all state laws and regulations. But these aren’t the only mistakes new med spa owners may experience.

It can be easy for med spa owners to focus most of their energy on managing the day-to-day requirements of caring for their clients’ health and well-being and to lose track of what’s required to keep the financial side of their business thriving. Working on the business may look like reflecting on what services are most profitable, discovering ways to cut costs, and investing in technology or processes that can make your med spa more efficient and help you deliver an excellent patient experience.

Get Started with the Right Technology

Choosing the right technology platform when opening a med spa can have a tremendous effect on your regulatory compliance, administrative efficiency, client communication, and financial performance. Nextech offers technology specifically designed for med spas that follows all industry-specific regulations and will scale alongside your business as it grows. Book a free demo to see how it works.

Who Can Open a Med Spa: A State-by-State Guide

Who Can Own a Med Spa

Who Can Open a Med Spa by State

Other Med Spa Regulations to Consider

How to Open a Med Spa

Common Mistakes New Owners Make

Get Started with the Right Technology

See Also

Specialties

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Tools

Client Resources

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Who Can Open a Med Spa: A State-by-State Guide

Who Can Own a Med Spa

Who Can Open a Med Spa by State

Other Med Spa Regulations to Consider

How to Open a Med Spa

Common Mistakes New Owners Make

Get Started with the Right Technology

See Also

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