California aesthetic practices run on standardized procedures, physician supervision and a clear line between the physician's examination and what can be delegated to a registered nurse. Your California manual is built around those rules.
Who Regulates Aesthetic Practice in California
- California Board of Registered Nursing
- Medical Board of California
- Cal/OSHA (Bloodborne Pathogens State Plan)
- California Department of Public Health, Medical Waste Management Program
Key California Rules Your Manual Addresses
Standardized Procedures and the Prior Examination
The Medical Board of California states that an appropriate prior examination is required before a prescriptive drug or device procedure, that the examination may not be delegated to a registered nurse, and that a physician may then delegate the procedure to an RN acting under standardized procedures. The same guidance states that an NP or PA may be delegated the prior examination (Medical Board of California, The Business of Medicine: Medical Spas).
Physician Supervision and Availability
The Medical Board's medical spa guidance states that the supervising physician need not be onsite but must be immediately reachable, and that paper-only supervision and rent-a-license arrangements are not acceptable (Medical Board of California, Medical Spas).
Lasers and IPL
The Medical Board's cosmetic treatment FAQs state that RNs and PAs may perform laser and IPL hair, spider-vein and tattoo removal under physician supervision, and that LVNs, medical assistants, cosmetologists, electrologists and estheticians may not (Medical Board of California, Cosmetic Treatments FAQs).
Procedures the Official Sources Don't Address Directly
Dermal fillers, Kybella, PRP, sclerotherapy, PDO threads and IV hydration are not addressed procedure by procedure in the Medical Board guidance reviewed for this page. Your manual flags these items for confirmation with the Board of Registered Nursing and your medical director before you offer them.
What Your California Edition Includes
- A California State-Specific Regulatory Section, with the sources reviewed and a dated regulatory summary
- California rules for lasers, light and energy-based devices, plus IV hydration and wellness therapies
- A list of conflicting guidance, gaps and items to verify with your Board and medical director
- Policies matched to the treatments you offer, built from your practice details
- Medical director approval and annual review signature lines
Get Your California Manual
The Manual Builder opens soon, and the waitlist is open now. To map the policies your California treatment menu needs, start with the free Binder Blueprint. If you'd like a custom manual or a compliance review instead, book a free consult.
State summary prepared from the official sources linked on this page, current as of September 2026. Laws, rules and Board positions change; verify current requirements with your state boards and medical director before relying on them. Educational information only, not legal or clinical advice. Our manuals are practice resources for review and approval by your medical director; they are not reviewed or approved by any State Board and do not guarantee compliance or any licensing outcome.
