Which licenses qualify
Medical aesthetic procedures typically require an active license as a Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Physician Assistant (PA), or Physician (MD/DO). Other advanced medical licenses may qualify depending on the treatment and state. A cosmetic or esthetics license is generally not a substitute for medical licensure for these procedures.
How scope is set
Scope is set by your license type and state law. State nursing and medical boards define which procedures each licensee may perform, under what delegation, and with what supervision. A training certificate documents completion; it does not change your legal scope.
License types and typical scope
Registered Nurses (RNs) typically perform aesthetic injections under delegation and supervision from a physician or advanced practice provider. Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants may have broader independent authority in some states but often work under collaborative agreements or protocols. Physicians generally have the broadest authority but still carry documentation, consent, and oversight obligations. Confirm the specifics for your state.
Delegation and supervision
Delegation is how a qualified provider authorizes another licensee to perform specific tasks under protocol. Supervision defines the oversight the delegating provider maintains. Both vary by state, license, and treatment.
Ownership considerations
Corporate-practice-of-medicine rules in some states restrict who may own a medical aesthetic practice and which structures are permitted (MSO, employment, collaborative models). Confirm ownership rules with legal counsel before structuring a practice.
What to confirm before training
- Your license is active and appropriate for the procedures you want to perform.
- Your state board has guidance on aesthetic procedures for your license type.
- The delegation and supervision model you plan to use is permitted in your state.
- Any ownership restrictions that affect your plans.
- The training course aligns with your state's scope and supervision model.
Where to confirm
Use the official sources below — your state nursing board, medical board, and qualified legal counsel. Board guidance and statutes are the authority; summaries are not.