Do Medspas Need a Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist as Medical Director in California?

California is home to more medical spas than any other state, accounting for 11.5% of the entire U.S. market. From Los Angeles to San Diego and the Bay Area, new clinics are opening every month to meet the growing demand for Botox®, fillers, lasers, and other aesthetic treatments.

Naturally, this boom raises an important compliance question from medspa owners: Do I need a medical director who is a plastic surgeon or dermatologist in California?

The answer isn’t as rigid as in some other states. California requires every medspa to have a licensed physician (MD or DO) as medical director, and that physician must have the proper training and competence to supervise the services offered. 

At Medical Director Co., we connect medspa owners in California with fully licensed and qualified physicians so businesses stay compliant, patient-safe, and positioned for growth.

Why a Medspa Medical Director in California Is Essential

Even though California law allows any properly trained physician to serve as a medical director, having a plastic surgeon or dermatologist as your MD offers significant benefits beyond mere compliance.

• Ensures Patient Safety: A specialized medical director understands facial anatomy, injection techniques, laser physics, and post-procedure care.
• Enhances Credibility and Trust: Patients are more likely to trust a clinic overseen by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. A visible, qualified medical director elevates the spa’s reputation, helping attract clients who value safety and professionalism.
• Protects the Business: A knowledgeable medical director mitigates risk and reduces liability.
• Streamlines Operations: From training new staff to reviewing treatment plans and handling complications, a medical director centralizes clinical oversight. 

California Laws and Requirements for Medspa Medical Directors

Here are a few things you need to know about California’s laws and requirements regarding medspa ownership and oversight:

Ownership and Control

California’s Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) laws prohibit nonphysicians from owning or controlling medical practices. Therefore, a medical spa must be owned by a licensed physician or a professional medical corporation where physicians hold the majority interest. 

Nonphysicians can participate in the business through a Management Services Organization (MSO), which handles nonmedical aspects like marketing and administration.

Medical Director Requirements

The medical director must be a licensed physician authorized to practice medicine in California. This role involves overseeing all medical procedures performed at the spa, including injectables, laser treatments, and other aesthetic services. 

The physician is responsible for ensuring these procedures are carried out safely and in compliance with state laws.

Scope of Practice and Supervision

Medical spa treatments are considered medical procedures, not merely cosmetic services. As such, they must be performed under the supervision of a licensed physician. 

Nurses and other nonphysician staff may assist with certain tasks but cannot perform medical procedures independently.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Engaging in medical spa operations without adhering to these regulations can lead to serious legal consequences, including penalties for aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine. 

Understanding and adhering to these requirements is essential for the lawful and successful operation of your medical spa in California. 

How California Laws Compare to Other States

California’s medical spa laws are detailed but not as restrictive as those of some other states:

• California: Any licensed physician with the appropriate certifications and experience can act as a medspa medical director in California, as long as they have the competence to supervise medical spa services such as injectables, laser treatments, and chemical peels.
• Florida: Only plastic surgeons or dermatologists typically qualify as medical directors, and the state enforces strict corporate practice of medicine restrictions.
• Texas: Any supervising physician can oversee medical spa procedures, provided they follow state regulations and maintain written protocols for nurse practitioners and registered nurses.
• Arizona: Certain healthcare providers, including nurse practitioners, can open and operate medspas independently.

While California law allows broader participation from licensed healthcare professionals, it still requires that medical spa procedures be performed under physician supervision and within clearly defined scope-of-practice limits. 

That means nonphysicians, including medical assistants and unlicensed personnel, may assist with nonmedical procedures like body scrubs or basic skincare treatments, but only licensed physicians and their trained medical providers can perform medical procedures or make medical decisions.

This balance of freedom and accountability makes California one of the most attractive yet highly regulated states for aesthetic services. 

What This Means for Medspa Owners in California

California law allows a wide range of aesthetic treatments, from Botox® and dermal fillers to laser hair removal and chemical peels, but they all count as medical procedures that require physician supervision.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• Nonphysicians, including RNs, NPs, and entrepreneurs, cannot legally perform or supervise medical treatments without physician oversight.
• You’ll need a California-licensed MD or DO serving as your medical director, responsible for ensuring safe and compliant delivery of all aesthetic procedures.
• If you’re not a physician, your business should operate under a Management Services Organization model, separating the medical and administrative sides for compliance and liability protection.

How Medical Director Co. Helps You Stay Compliant in California

At Medical Director Co., we understand how complex California’s Corporate Practice of Medicine laws can be, especially when you’re trying to open or scale a med spa while staying compliant. 

That’s why we built our service around helping owners connect with qualified, licensed physicians quickly and affordably.

Here’s how we make compliance simple:

• Licensed Physicians Only: Every medical director we place holds an active California medical license and meets training standards for aesthetic and laser-based procedures.
• Specialty-Matched Oversight: We match you with physicians who have direct experience in aesthetic medicine, injectables, and laser treatments.
• No Brokers or Hidden Fees: We operate on a direct-to-physician model, meaning you avoid inflated placement costs or third-party markups that many brokers charge.
• Complimentary MSO Support: For nonphysician owners, we provide guidance for MSO agreements to ensure your ownership structure aligns with California law and protects your business from compliance risks.
• Fast, Hassle-Free Placement: Whether you’re in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, or Sacramento, we can connect you with a qualified medspa medical director in California often within 24 hours.
• Ongoing Compliance Guidance: Our team keeps you informed on supervision requirements, written protocols, and documentation standards to help protect against malpractice liability and Board of Medicine violations.

With Medical Director Co., you can operate with confidence, knowing your medical spa has the right leadership, structure, and legal protection in place for long-term success.

The Bottom Line

Launching or expanding a medical spa in California comes with enormous potential, but also serious compliance obligations. 

While California law doesn’t limit your medical director to a specific specialty like plastic surgery or dermatology, the supervising physician must still be appropriately trained, licensed, and competent in the medical spa services your team provides.

Ready to hire your medical director in California? Contact us today to get matched with a licensed physician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do California medspas need a plastic surgeon or dermatologist as a medical director?

No. California law only requires a licensed physician to serve as the medical director, as long as they’re trained and qualified to supervise the medical spa procedures offered.

Can nurse practitioners or physician assistants serve as medical directors in California?

No. Under the Corporate Practice of Medicine, only licensed physicians can act as medical directors, though nurse practitioners and physician assistants may perform aesthetic treatments under physician supervision.

What happens if a medspa operates without a licensed medical director in California?

Doing so violates state regulations and can lead to fines, license suspension, or criminal liability for unlicensed medical practice.

How can I hire a compliant medspa medical director in California?

Medical Director Co. connects medspa owners with California-licensed physicians experienced in aesthetic medicine, handling everything from MSO setup to ongoing compliance obligations.

Are medical spa procedures in California considered medical services?

Yes. The California Medical Board classifies most med spa procedures, including injectables, laser treatments, and chemical peels, as medical services that require physician supervision.

How does the Corporate Practice of Medicine affect California med spas?

The Corporate Practice of Medicine prohibits nonphysicians from owning or controlling a medical spa, meaning only licensed physicians can supervise or provide medical services.

Can medical assistants perform aesthetic or medical spa procedures in California?

No. Medical assistants may assist with tasks under direct supervision, but they cannot independently perform medical treatments or make medical decisions.

How can California medspa owners ensure proper liability protection?

Medspa owners can maintain liability protection by hiring a licensed physician as a medical director, following corporate practice of medicine rules, and carrying medical malpractice insurance for all healthcare providers involved.