Aesthetic Practice Startup Checklist

At a Glance

• This checklist organizes the major decisions and tasks involved in starting an aesthetic practice.
• It is a planning tool, not a guarantee of compliance.
• Requirements vary by state, provider license, ownership structure, and services.
• Confirm each item with qualified professionals and official sources.

License and Scope

• [ ] Confirm your professional license is active and appropriate for the treatments planned
• [ ] Review your state's scope of practice for your license type
• [ ] Confirm whether delegation and supervision are required
• [ ] Verify prescriptive authority requirements for products you plan to use
• [ ] Check whether your state requires specific aesthetic training or certifications

See State Requirements and Scope of Practice for Aesthetic Providers.

Entity and Ownership

• [ ] Confirm whether your state permits your license type to own a medical practice
• [ ] Review corporate-practice-of-medicine restrictions with counsel
• [ ] Choose a business structure (professional entity, MSO, partnership, etc.)
• [ ] Register the business with the state
• [ ] Obtain an EIN and set up banking
• [ ] Secure a registered agent if required

Medical Oversight

• [ ] Determine whether a medical director is required
• [ ] Identify a qualified physician to serve as medical director
• [ ] Draft a medical director agreement with defined duties
• [ ] Establish treatment protocols
• [ ] Define delegation and supervision levels
• [ ] Confirm availability and escalation procedures

See Medical Director Coverage and How to Find a Medical Director.

Legal and Insurance Review

• [ ] Consult qualified healthcare counsel
• [ ] Review ownership structure for compliance
• [ ] Obtain malpractice insurance covering aesthetic treatments
• [ ] Obtain general business liability insurance
• [ ] Review contracts (medical director, employment, vendor)
• [ ] Confirm HIPAA compliance policies

Policies and Protocols

• [ ] Treatment protocols for each service
• [ ] Delegation and supervision policies
• [ ] Good Faith Exam workflow
• [ ] Informed consent forms
• [ ] Emergency response protocol
• [ ] Adverse event documentation policy
• [ ] Privacy and records policy
• [ ] Employee handbook

See Practice Compliance.

Good Faith Exam Workflow

• [ ] Confirm whether a Good Faith Exam is required in your state
• [ ] Define who performs the exam
• [ ] Define when the exam is required (new patients, repeat treatments)
• [ ] Establish documentation standards
• [ ] Integrate the exam into the patient flow

See What Is a Good Faith Exam?.

Documentation

• [ ] Choose an EMR suited to aesthetic practice
• [ ] Set up treatment note templates (product, lot, dose, sites)
• [ ] Establish before-and-after photo consent and storage
• [ ] Set up consent form templates
• [ ] Define record retention policies
• [ ] Establish follow-up tracking

See What Should an Aesthetic EMR Include? and Practice Hub EMR.

Technology

• [ ] EMR / practice management system
• [ ] Patient communication platform
• [ ] Scheduling and booking system
• [ ] Payment processing
• [ ] Photo management
• [ ] Secure data backup

Medication and Supply Handling

• [ ] Establish product sourcing from authorized suppliers
• [ ] Set up lot tracking for all injectable products
• [ ] Define storage requirements (temperature, security)
• [ ] Establish inventory management
• [ ] Create a protocol for product recalls

Emergency Planning

• [ ] Emergency response protocol
• [ ] Anaphylaxis kit and emergency medications
• [ ] Staff training on emergency procedures
• [ ] Escalation path to medical director
• [ ] Hospital transfer plan

Facility or Mobile Setup

• [ ] Confirm zoning and local permits
• [ ] Ensure treatment rooms meet requirements
• [ ] Set up sanitation and infection control
• [ ] Confirm accessibility compliance
• [ ] If mobile, confirm applicable rules

Pricing

• [ ] Set service pricing
• [ ] Define package and membership options
• [ ] Establish payment and cancellation policies
• [ ] Review state pricing and advertising rules

Patient Communication

• [ ] Set up intake and consent workflows
• [ ] Establish follow-up communication protocols
• [ ] Define patient privacy and communication standards
• [ ] Create patient education materials

Marketing

• [ ] Ensure marketing is truthful and avoids outcome guarantees
• [ ] Review before-and-after photo rules
• [ ] Confirm credential representation is accurate
• [ ] Launch marketing only after operations are ready

See Provider Growth.

Launch Review

• [ ] All licenses and permits obtained
• [ ] Medical director agreement signed
• [ ] Insurance in place
• [ ] Protocols and policies documented
• [ ] Documentation system configured
• [ ] Staff trained
• [ ] Emergency plan ready
• [ ] Legal review complete

What Providers Should Verify

• This checklist is a planning tool, not a guarantee of compliance.
• Requirements vary by state, license, ownership, and services.
• Confirm each item with qualified professionals and official sources.
• Completing this checklist does not ensure compliance with all applicable rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does completing this checklist guarantee compliance? No. This is a planning tool. Compliance depends on meeting the specific requirements that apply in your state and to your services.

Do I need everything on this checklist before opening? Most items should be addressed before launch. Work with qualified counsel to prioritize and confirm what applies to your practice.

Where can I find state-specific requirements? Start with the State Requirements hub, then confirm with your state's licensing boards and qualified counsel.