Florida is one of the most competitive and profitable medspa markets in the United States. From Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, medspas are opening at a record pace. Botox®, dermal fillers, IV drips, weight loss injections, and laser procedures are in high demand.
But alongside opportunity comes regulation. The #1 compliance question we hear from Florida medspa owners is this:
“Do I need a plastic surgeon or dermatologist to serve as my medical director?”
The answer is yes. In Florida, the state requires that your supervising physician (i.e., medical director) must have appropriate training for the services offered in your medspa. That typically means a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
At Medical Director Co., every Florida medical director we place is a licensed plastic surgeon, ensuring your clinic is compliant, credible, and patient-safe from day 1.
Why Florida Medspas Must Have Physician Oversight
Unlike some other states, Florida has a strict Corporate Practice of Medicine Doctrine. This means:
- A medspa is classified as a medical practice.
- Only licensed physicians can “own” the medical entity.
- Nonphysicians (RNs, NPs, entrepreneurs) must operate through an MSO (Management Services Organization) structure with a physician as the legal owner of the clinical side.
- The medical director must be qualified in the specialty of services being delivered.
In practice, this means:
- If you’re injecting Botox®, your MD must be trained in aesthetic injectables.
- If you’re running laser or resurfacing, your MD must have skin/dermatology training.
That narrows the field to plastic surgeons and dermatologists.
What Florida Law Says
According to the Florida Board of Medicine:
- Botox®, dermal fillers, and laser treatments are considered medical procedures.
- Only physicians who can demonstrate training and competence in these procedures may supervise.
- A family medicine doctor, pediatrician, or psychiatrist does not qualify as a medspa medical director.
Comparison to Other States
- In Texas, any MD/DO may often supervise medspa care.
- In Arizona, NPs can sometimes open medspas themselves.
- In New Jersey, only MDs can own, but the specialty is less strictly enforced.
Florida is simply stricter: plastic surgeon or dermatologist only.
Why Florida Requires Specialists
There are two main reasons.
1. Safety
Plastic surgeons and dermatologists understand:
- Facial anatomy and injection risks.
- Complications such as vascular occlusions, filler migration, or laser burns.
- Posttreatment management (e.g., prescribing antibiotics after a complication).
2. Legal Protection
Florida regulators want to protect patients and reduce malpractice exposure. Ensuring every medspa is overseen by a specialist physician dramatically reduces risk.
What This Means for Medspa Owners
If you’re opening a medspa in Miami, Tampa, or Jacksonville, you must secure a plastic surgeon or dermatologist as your medical director.
That means:
- RNs cannot own or direct a medspa independently.
- NPs cannot serve as a medical director.
- Entrepreneurs must partner with a physician through an MSO.
- Only plastic surgeons and dermatologists qualify.
Common Pitfalls in Florida
1. Hiring the Wrong Specialty
Example: Hiring a family doctor.
Risk: Board of Medicine rejection, shutdown, wasted legal fees.
2. Relying on Brokers
Many charge $5,000–$10,000 placement fees.
Often, they connect you with physicians who aren’t even qualified.
3. Paying the MSO Premium
Many firms charge $3,000–$7,000 for an MSO agreement, plus $200–$500 monthly.
Without it, your structure is noncompliant.
At Medical Director Co., we provide your MSO agreement complimentary when you hire a medical director.
How Medical Director Co. Solves Compliance
We designed our service around Florida’s stricter rules.
- Plastic Surgeons Only: Every Florida placement is with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
- 24-Hour Placement: Get oversight in one day, not weeks.
- Direct-to-MD Model: No brokers or middlemen inflating costs.
- No Placement Fees: Unlike firms charging thousands.
- Complimentary MSO Agreement: No “MSO premium,” saving $3000–$7000 upfront.
- Statewide Coverage: Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and beyond.
Real-World Florida Example
A medspa owner in Orlando tried to cut corners by hiring a general practice MD.
The Florida Board rejected the oversight.
They spent $5,000 on wasted contracts and lost six months of progress.
With Medical Director Co.:
- We placed a licensed plastic surgeon on call within 24 hours.
- We included an MSO agreement for free.
- The medspa opened legally the same week.
FAQs
Do Florida medspas need a plastic surgeon or dermatologist as medical director?
Yes, state law requires it.
Can a family doctor act as a medical director in Florida?
No, only plastic surgeons or dermatologists qualify.
Can NPs or RNs be medical directors in Florida?
No, they may perform treatments under standing orders, but they cannot serve as medical directors.
How much does a medical director cost in Florida?
The average is $1,000–$1,250/month per provider. Competitors often charge more, plus placement fees and MSO premiums.
Do medical directors take equity in my Florida medspa?
No. With an MSO, the physician owns only the medical entity on paper. You keep 100% of business equity.
What happens if I don’t comply?
Risks include fines, shutdown, license discipline, and malpractice liability.
How fast can I get placed with a Florida medical director?
With Medical Director Co., in as little as 24 hours.
Takeaway
So, do Florida medspas need a plastic surgeon or dermatologist as a Medical Director?
- Yes, Florida law requires it.
- Only plastic surgeons or dermatologists qualify.
- Using the wrong physician risks shutdown, fines, and wasted investment.
At Medical Director Co., every Florida medical director we place is a board-certified plastic surgeon. We ensure:
- Transparent cost ($1,000–$1,250/month per provider).
- No placement fees.
- No MSO premiums.
- Complimentary MSO agreement.
- Placement in 24 hours across Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and beyond.
Ready to get compliant? Contact us to hire your Florida medical director today.
Bolton M. Harris, J.D., is a seasoned attorney with a formidable background in criminal law and a focus on healthcare law and compliance. As the in-house legal counsel at Medical Director Co., Harris brings a unique blend of prosecutorial experience and regulatory expertise to support healthcare professionals across Texas. Her career spans roles as a prosecutor in multiple counties and now as a trusted advisor on the legal intricacies of medical practice operations.
Education & Early Career
Bolton Harris completed her undergraduate studies at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 2013. During her time at SMU, she was not only a dedicated student but also a competitive athlete on the university’s women’s swimming team. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University School of Law in 2016 and became a member of the Texas Bar that same year. Armed with a strong academic foundation and discipline honed as a student-athlete, Harris embarked on a career in criminal law immediately after law school.
Prosecutorial Experience in Texas
Bolton Harris began her legal career in public service as a criminal prosecutor. She served as an Assistant District Attorney in multiple jurisdictions, where she quickly rose through the ranks and handled a broad spectrum of cases. Some highlights of her prosecutorial career include:
- Assistant District Attorney, Dallas County, Texas: Prosecuted a high volume of criminal cases in one of the state’s busiest DA offices, gaining extensive trial experience in both misdemeanor and felony courts.
- Assistant District Attorney, Ellis County, Texas: Continued to hone her courtroom advocacy skills, known for meticulous case preparation and a tenacious pursuit of justice on behalf of the community.
- Assistant District Attorney, Navarro County, Texas: Broadened her legal expertise by handling diverse criminal matters in a smaller county, working closely with law enforcement and community leaders to uphold the law.
Through these roles, Harris built a reputation for being a tough but fair advocate. She brought numerous cases to trial and developed an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system. This distinguished prosecutorial background laid a strong foundation for the next phase of her career in the private sector.
Healthcare Law & Compliance at Medical Director Co.
After her tenure as a prosecutor, Harris shifted her focus to healthcare law, applying her legal acumen to the medical field. She recognized that the same attention to detail and tenacity that served her in criminal law could benefit healthcare providers navigating complex regulations. Embracing this new direction, Harris became well-versed in the intricate laws governing medical practices – from licensing requirements to patient safety and privacy standards – and is passionate about helping practitioners stay compliant.
In her current role as the in-house attorney for Medical Director Co., Bolton Harris oversees all legal and compliance matters for the organization and its clients. Medical Director Co. is a nurse-owned firm that connects nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and registered nurses with qualified medical directors and collaborating physicians, offering fast placements and comprehensive compliance support for healthcare practices. Harris ensures that each of these partnerships and clinical ventures adheres to all applicable state and federal laws. She is responsible for drafting and reviewing collaborative practice agreements, advising on regulatory requirements, and providing ongoing legal counsel as clients establish and grow their clinics. Drawing on her prosecutorial eye for risk management, Harris proactively identifies potential legal issues and addresses them before they escalate, giving healthcare professionals peace of mind.
Bolton M. Harris’s multifaceted expertise – spanning high-stakes courtroom litigation to detailed healthcare compliance – makes her a formidable legal ally. Whether advocating in front of a jury or guiding a medical practice through regulatory hurdles, she remains committed to the highest standards of the legal profession. Her blend of courtroom-tested skill and healthcare law knowledge ensures that clients of Medical Director Co. receive elite-level counsel and steadfast protection in an ever-evolving legal landscape.
