Medical Spa Laws and Requirements in Los Angeles

Under California law, a medical spa is a licensed healthcare facility that must be owned and operated by a physician. This guide will help you understand the specific regulations for running a compliant and successful medical spa in Los Angeles, from ownership rules to the scope of practice for your staff.

How Medical Spa Laws Work in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, a medical spa is defined as a healthcare facility offering minimally-invasive medical treatments, such as injectables and laser services, that require physician oversight. This is different from a traditional day spa, which provides non-medical services like facials and waxing. Understanding this distinction is the first step in complying with California’s medical spa laws.

These specific med spa regulations exist to protect patient safety, as all treatments are considered medical procedures. California’s “corporate practice of medicine” doctrine requires that a licensed physician own the facility to ensure medical decisions prioritize patient care over business interests. This directly impacts who can own a med spa and dictates the necessary medical spa requirements for Los Angeles operators.

Multiple state-level agencies are responsible for med spa compliance and licensing. The primary governing bodies you will work with include:

• The Medical Board of California
• The California Board of Registered Nursing
• The Physician Assistant Board
• The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Medical Spa Requirements in Los Angeles

Meeting the medical spa requirements for Los Angeles is fundamental for building a trusted and successful practice. California’s med spa regulations are some of the strictest in the country, defining exactly who can own a med spa and how it must be structured. This section will detail critical med spa compliance topics, from medical director oversight and staff licensing to business registration with the appropriate state boards.

Medical Spa Ownership & Business Structure Requirements in Los Angeles

California’s medical spa ownership laws are guided by the Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) doctrine, which requires a licensed physician to own the practice. This rule ensures medical decisions remain separate from business interests, directly answering the question of who can own a med spa in Los Angeles. Consequently, non-physicians are prohibited from having a majority ownership stake or controlling medical operations.

To comply with these med spa regulations, your business must be formed as a Professional Corporation (PC). While non-physicians cannot own the medical practice, they can manage the non-clinical aspects through a Management Services Organization (MSO). A licensed physician must also serve as the medical director, actively overseeing all procedures and protocols to ensure med spa compliance.

Facility, Licensing, and Compliance Requirements in Los Angeles

Understanding how to open a med spa in Los Angeles begins with state-level registration, as your practice must be registered with the California Medical Board. These med spa regulations mandate that the business is structured as a Professional Corporation (PC) owned by a licensed physician. This rule for who can own a med spa is a key part of the medical spa laws in Los Angeles and foundational to local med spa compliance.

Operational med spa compliance also involves strict adherence to patient privacy laws, requiring you to follow all HIPAA standards for managing medical records. Your facility must also meet infection control and sanitation rules, with standards for non-medical services set by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. For all medical treatments, your medical director is responsible for ensuring every procedure is performed safely and ethically.

Protecting your business is critical, which is why the medical spa requirements for Los Angeles include carrying medical malpractice insurance. General liability insurance is also strongly recommended to cover non-medical incidents, giving your practice complete protection. Finally, compliant recordkeeping is a legal necessity that ensures patient confidentiality and supports your overall risk management strategy.

Who Can Perform Medical Spa Procedures in Los Angeles?

Understanding who can perform procedures is central to med spa compliance in Los Angeles. California law classifies services like Botox injections, laser treatments, IV hydration, and deep microneedling as medical procedures. This means only licensed physicians (MDs), physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and registered nurses (RNs) can perform them, while aestheticians are restricted to non-medical cosmetic services.

According to med spa regulations, PAs, NPs, and RNs must operate under the supervision of a licensed physician who is responsible for delegating procedures and ensuring all staff have the proper training. This oversight is a cornerstone of the medical spa laws in Los Angeles, and the specific requirements for each provider are as follows:

• Physicians (MDs/DOs): Perform all procedures without supervision
• Physician Assistants (PAs): Perform medical procedures under physician supervision
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Perform medical procedures under a collaborative agreement or physician supervision
• Registered Nurses (RNs): Perform medical procedures under the supervision of a physician or NP
• Aestheticians & Medical Assistants: Limited to non-medical services and administrative tasks only

Laser & Energy Device Regulations in Los Angeles

The medical spa laws in Los Angeles classify treatments using lasers, IPL, and other energy devices as medical procedures, a standard consistent with strict med spa laws by state. This means only licensed physicians, physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and registered nurses (RNs) are permitted to operate this equipment. These med spa regulations are designed to protect patient safety across all spas in Los Angeles.

A licensed physician must serve as the medical director and supervise any procedures delegated to NPs, PAs, or RNs, a key factor for those considering who can open a med spa. While California does not have a specific "laser technician" license, meeting the medical spa requirements Los Angeles has for practitioner training is critical. Because the laws are complex, maintaining proper oversight is essential for your med spa compliance.

Medical Spa Enforcement, Penalties & Risk Management in Los Angeles

Failing to adhere to the strict medical spa laws in Los Angeles can have significant consequences for your business, from financial penalties to reputational damage. While med spa laws by state vary, California’s enforcement is active, and any lapse in med spa compliance can put your practice at risk. Understanding these med spa regulations is not just about getting started—it’s about building a sustainable and trusted practice.

Violations can trigger a range of enforcement actions from state boards, including the Medical Board of California. These actions may start with cease-and-desist orders and substantial fines but can escalate to professional discipline, including the suspension or revocation of a medical license.

Many compliance issues arise from a few common, and often unintentional, missteps. Some of the most frequent mistakes we see among spas in Los Angeles include:

• Improper delegation of medical procedures to unqualified staff
• Misleading advertising that makes unproven claims or misrepresents services
• Unlicensed practice, often related to confusion over who can own a med spa or who can open a med spa legally
• Inadequate supervision of nurses and physician assistants

Proactive risk management is the key to staying compliant and protecting your investment. To build a resilient practice, we recommend focusing on these core areas:

• Regular Compliance Audits: Periodically review your protocols against current med spa regulations to identify and correct potential issues before they become problems.
• Comprehensive Staff Training: Train all staff on their specific scope of practice and the medical spa requirements Los Angeles has for their role.
• Meticulous Documentation: Keep detailed records of patient consents, treatment plans, and staff credentials to demonstrate consistent med spa compliance.

Stay Compliant with Portrait Care in Los Angeles

Operating a compliant medical spa in Los Angeles requires careful attention to physician ownership laws, proper staff licensing, and strict adherence to procedural oversight. As we've covered, your practice must be structured as a physician-owned Professional Corporation, with a designated medical director supervising all clinical services. From ensuring only qualified professionals perform treatments to maintaining meticulous records, these steps are fundamental to building a trusted and legally sound business.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified healthcare attorney to address your specific circumstances.

Following these guidelines is the first step toward success. Learn more about opening a compliant med spa with our detailed resources. When you’re ready to build a practice with confidence, schedule a demo to see how our all-in-one platform provides the technology and support to help you grow.