United States
Alabama
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
Alaska
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.
Arizona
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 requirements for appropriate training supervised by the Board of Radiation. Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency requires a laser operator to be under the personal and responsible supervision of an Arizona licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site, however recommends that the M.D. be at least 30-minutes away and proper didactic training be documented.
Arkansas
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.
California
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not. MD, RN or PA can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
California Board of Medicine requires a laser operator to be under the personal and responsible supervision of an California licensed physician. A non-medical professional cannot fire the laser for hair removal in the state of California. The facility or clinic must have a medical director who must be a licensed medical doctor and the professional firing the laser must be an RN, PA or MD. A non-medical professional may own the clinic however they must adhere to the above protocols (i.e. Medical Director (MD) and a RN, PA or MD must fire the laser).
Colorado
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. Colorado has revised their Rule 800. State requirements for appropriate training supervised by the Department of Higher Education, Health Occupations.
Colorado Board of Medical Examiners requires a laser operator to be under the personal and responsible supervision of a Colorado licensed physician (MD). The physician is not required to be on-site, however there are regulations in place that outline the physician and the physician's delegate (non-medical professional) responsibilities in regard to Medical/Aesthetic Services. Read the most recent Rule 800, which outlines the state requirements and scope of practice protocols.
Connecticut
Direct - MD, RN, LPN and EMT must work directly under medical supervision and licensure of a medical doctor. Medical Director must be on site.
Delaware
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under their individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. The M.D. must personally evaluate any patient at least every three months.
Florida
Supervision - Non-medical professional Electrologist may own business and operate the laser. For more information on Florida requirements click here. Medical director (MD) is a must and does not have to be on-site for an electrologist. MD must be 30 minutes away. State requirements for appropriate training supervised by the Florida State Electrology Association.
Florida Department of Health and the State of Florida have authorized the Florida State Electrology Association (FSEA) to manage the licensing of non-medical individuals such as Electrologists'.
A non-medical professional cannot fire the laser for hair removal in the state of Florida, except for a licensed electrologist. A non-medical professional would have to become a licensed Electrologist in Florida, take the CLS training at the RMLC and then report to the FSEA. This would allow the non-medical professional to work under the direct supervision of a MD. The facility or clinic must have a documented medical director who must be a licensed medical doctor (MD). An electrology professional may own the clinic however they must adhere to the proper state protocols.
Georgia
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.
Hawaii
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under their individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. M.D., RN or PA may also fire the laser under the M.D. state license. Maui is exempt from this rule -
Idaho
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.
Idaho Board of Medical Examiners recommends (not requires) a laser operator to be under the personal and responsible supervision of a Idaho licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site, however the state requires that the laser application is a prescriptive procedure and the clinics medical director dictates prior assessment of the patient.
Illinois
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.
Indiana
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under their individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. M.D., RN or PA may also fire the laser under the M.D. state license.
Iowa
Supervision - one must be an electrologist, aesthetician, cosmetologist or in the medical field (RN, PA or MD). Medical director is a must and does not have to be on-site.
Iowa Board of Cosmetology does allow a licensed cosmetologist or electrologist to provide hair removal treatments (hair removal only) with laser or IPL, if the professional was an licensed professional before July 1, 2005.
Kansas
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.
Kentucky
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.
Louisiana
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.
Maine
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under their individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. M.D., RN or PA may also fire the laser under the M.D. state license.
Maryland
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under their individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. M.D., RN or PA may also fire the laser under the M.D. state license.
Massachusetts
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
Michigan
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.
Minnesota
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.
Mississippi
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.
Missouri
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.
Montana
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under the doctors individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. M.D., RN or PA may also fire the laser under the M.D. state license.
Nebraska
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
Nevada
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.
New Hampshire
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under their individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. M.D., RN or PA may also fire the laser under the M.D. state license.
New Jersey
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under their individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. M.D., RN or PA may also fire the laser under the M.D. state license.
New Mexico
Physicians can delegate non-medical professionals under their individual state license, however the M.D. is responsible for their activities and must provide adequate supervision. It is up to the M.D. whether the supervision is direct or non-direct. M.D., RN or PA may also fire the laser under the M.D. state license.
New York
N/A - No law at the present time. Non-medical professionals may own business and operate the laser. No Medical Director or MD needed.
North Carolina
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. (Preferably on-site).
North Dakota
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
Ohio
Supervision - Non-medical professionals may own business. Medical director (MD) is a must and does not have to be on-site for a cosmetic therapist or electrologist. Medical professionals must have an MD on site.
OHIO the Ohio Medical Board requires a laser operator to be under the personal and responsible supervision of an Ohio licensed physician. An electrologist or cosmetic therapist (CT) have certain guidelines (50 hours) that should be met and medical professionals must work under the supervision of a medical doctor.
Oklahoma
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
Oregon
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.
Pennsylvania
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
Rhode Island
Supervision - Non-medical professionals may own business. Medical director (MD) is a must and does not have to be on-site..
South Carolina
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
South Dakota
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.
Tennessee
N/A - Electrologists can fire the laser without a MD. Others need the supervision of a MD. Doctor can dictate on-site or not.
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 requirements for appropriate training supervised by the Board of Medicine.
Utah
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
Vermont
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.
Virginia
Direct - Medical director and direct supervision by a MD. Doctor dictates on-site or not and who can operate the laser. However, non-medical professionals may own business.
Virginia: Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia provides that the code does not prohibit a licensed physician from delegating activities or functions to employees that are nondiscretionary and do not require professional judgment and are customarily delegated to such persons. The physician assumes responsibility for delegated tasks.
Washington
Supervision - Non-medical professionals may own business, however only MD, PA or Licensed Aesthetician can operate the laser. PA must oversee initial consultations and a medical director (MD) is a must but does not have to be on-site.
West Virginia
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.
Wisconsin
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.
Wyoming
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.
Definitions:
Supervision
You must work under the personal or responsible supervision of a medical doctor and/or medical directorship of a MD or DO. The physician does not necessarily need to be on-site, however it at the discretion of the MD. This does not necessarily indicate direct supervision, however states can vary from this rule (see each state). A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own this clinic.
Direct
The physician can designate the firing of the laser to medical and non-medical professionals (depending on the state), however the laser specialist must work under the personal and responsible supervision of a Medical Doctor or DO. Utilizing either the physicians place of practice, consultation expertise and/or license. A non medical professional or entrepreneur may own this clinic.
Physician ONLY
MD or DO is the only professional that can fire the laser for LHR. However the doctor may opt to have a PA, RN or medically licensed professional on their medical license/insurance...utilize the laser. A non-medical professional or entrepreneur may not own this clinic.
N/A = There is no official state board requirements for LHR.