Medical Director & Oversight
Medical Director Evaluation Checklist
A structured set of questions to help qualified medical providers evaluate a potential medical director relationship for an aesthetic practice. This checklist is educational and does not constitute legal, regulatory, or medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-04
Practice Needs
- Identify the specific services and products that require medical oversight.
- Determine the level of oversight your state requires (delegation, supervision, or collaboration).
- Estimate the number of patients, treatments, and chart reviews per month.
- Determine whether on-site presence is required or if remote oversight is permitted.
- Clarify whether you need a medical director for a single location or multiple locations.
Clinical Familiarity
- Does the physician have experience with the aesthetic treatments you plan to offer?
- Is the physician familiar with the products, protocols, and potential adverse events?
- Can the physician provide or review treatment protocols?
- Does the physician have experience with emergency response in an aesthetic setting?
- Is the physician comfortable with the level of delegation your practice model requires?
State Eligibility
- Is the physician licensed in the state where your practice operates?
- Does the physician's license permit the level of delegation or supervision you need?
- Are there any state restrictions on the number of practices a physician may supervise?
- Does the physician meet any state-specific requirements for medical directors?
- Has the physician's license ever been subject to disciplinary action?
Availability
- How quickly can the physician be reached for routine questions?
- How quickly can the physician be reached in an emergency?
- Is the physician available for regular on-site visits if required?
- How many other practices does the physician currently supervise?
- Does the physician have a plan for coverage during absences or vacations?
Agreement Structure
- Is the medical director agreement in writing and reviewed by your attorney?
- Does the agreement specify the scope of the physician's responsibilities?
- Does the agreement address chart-review frequency and documentation?
- Does the agreement specify compensation and payment terms?
- Does the agreement include a termination clause and transition plan?
Protocol Support
- Will the physician draft, review, or approve treatment protocols?
- How often will protocols be reviewed and updated?
- Does the physician have a process for adding new treatments or products?
- Will the physician provide training on protocols for staff?
- How will protocol deviations be handled and documented?
Chart Review
- How frequently will chart reviews be conducted?
- What percentage of charts will be reviewed?
- Will reviews be documented and shared with the provider?
- How will deficiencies or corrections be tracked?
- Is there a process for addressing repeated documentation issues?
Communication Expectations
- What is the preferred method and frequency of routine communication?
- How will urgent or emergency communication be handled?
- Will there be regular scheduled meetings or check-ins?
- How will the physician communicate protocol updates or changes?
- Is there a documented escalation path for clinical concerns?
Expansion Considerations
- Can the physician support additional services or treatments in the future?
- Is the physician licensed in other states if you plan to expand?
- Can the physician support additional locations or providers?
- How will the agreement be amended for new services or locations?
- Does the physician have a network for referrals or additional coverage?
Red Flags
- The physician is unwilling to put the agreement in writing.
- The physician is unavailable for emergencies or has no coverage plan.
- The physician is not licensed in your state.
- The physician has no experience with aesthetic treatments.
- The physician supervises an unusually large number of practices.
- The physician is unwilling to conduct chart reviews.
- The physician asks you to sign protocols without review.
Your Next Step
Ready to take the next step?
Use this checklist alongside the relevant NOVI support options. Requirements vary by state, license and practice structure — confirm specifics with qualified guidance.
NOVI resources are provided for general educational purposes and are not legal, medical, tax, financial, licensing, or regulatory advice. Requirements may vary by state, provider credentials, practice structure, and services offered. Current requirements should be confirmed with qualified professionals and official regulatory sources.