
A Guide to Nurse Practitioner and Physician Collaboration Laws and Challenges
For many nurse practitioners, one of the biggest barriers to practicing at their full scope is the requirement for nurse
Find the exact rules, checklists, and resources you need to run a compliant clinic in your state.
Finding the right medical director for your practice shouldn’t be overwhelming. Our blog offers clear, practical guidance for RNs, NPs, and PAs seeking physician collaborators. Explore expert insights about everything from legal tips to partnership strategies to help you run a compliant, successful practice with confidence.

For many nurse practitioners, one of the biggest barriers to practicing at their full scope is the requirement for nurse

Compliance is one of the most critical topics in the healthcare industry, especially when it comes to collaborations between nurse

Finding the best malpractice insurance for nurse practitioners is essential in today’s healthcare environment. With nurse practitioners taking on broader

You might be wondering, Can nurse practitioners prescribe medication? The answer is yes, but it depends on the nurse practitioner’s

The medical spa industry in the U.S. surpassed $22 billion in annual revenue in 2024, and Texas is one of

The medical spa industry is thriving, with the U.S. market generating over $18.61 billion in annual revenue and growing at

The U.S. medical aesthetics market is on track to hit $23.3 billion by 2027, fueled by more than 10 percent

If you’re a nurse practitioner working in a state without full practice authority, you already know that collaborative practice agreements

In the past five years, nurse practitioners (NP) have become one of the fastest-growing segments of healthcare professionals launching businesses.
The medical director must be a Texas-licensed physician (MD/DO) with clinical control over medical decisions.
Most medspas use a physician-owned professional entity for the clinical side, plus a separate management services organization (MSO) for the business side.
Medical directors must be Texas-licensed MDs/DOs. NPs and PAs require delegation agreements to prescribe.
The medical director must be a Florida-licensed physician (MD or DO) with ultimate authority over medical decisions.
Non-physicians may own clinics, but a Florida-licensed MD/DO must be medical/clinic director with authority over protocols, supervision, and records. MSOs handle business only.
Florida’s Health Care Clinic Act requires that each licensed clinic designate a Florida-licensed MD or DO as medical/clinic director.
Medical direction & CPOM – In California, the medical director must be a California-licensed physician (MD/DO) and retain final authority over clinical decisions.
In California, only a licensed physician (MD/DO) may direct or delegate medical services such as injectables, lasers, radiofrequency, or other energy-based procedures.
California maintains one of the most regulated frameworks for weight-loss and telehealth clinics in the nation.
New York’s medical compliance framework is defined by strict physician oversight, clear delegation limits, and robust documentation expectations.
New York remains one of the most highly regulated states for medical spas and aesthetic practices.
Only a New York–licensed MD or DO may own or control a medical practice.
Georgia restricts lay control of medical practices.
Georgia requires all medical services, including aesthetic and wellness treatments, to be delivered through a physician-owned or physician-controlled entity.
All clinical services must be delivered through a physician-owned or physician-controlled entity.
Arizona enforces the Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) doctrine, requiring that only licensed physicians control medical decision-making.
Arizona requires medical services to be delivered through a physician-owned or physician-controlled entity, preserving physician authority over clinical decisions.
Clinics must be physician-owned or physician-controlled under Arizona’s Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM).
Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) Nevada requires all medical decision-making to remain under a Nevada-licensed MD/DO.
Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM): Medical decision-making must remain under a Nevada-licensed MD/DO.
Medical decision-making must remain under a Nevada-licensed MD/DO.
Pennsylvania does not have a single CPOM statute; compliance is enforced through unlicensed practice prohibitions and physician unprofessional conduct rules.
Pennsylvania requires that medical procedures in medspas be directed and supervised by a Pennsylvania-licensed physician (MD or DO) with real clinical authority, not just a title.
Pennsylvania requires physician-led clinical control for weight-loss and telehealth clinics; MSOs may manage business operations but cannot influence diagnosis, treatment, prescribing, or medical records.
Ohio permits business entities and MSO models, but licensed physicians must retain real authority over diagnosis, treatment, prescribing, delegation, supervision, and quality assurance.
Ohio medspas are regulated through physician delegation, scope-of-practice, and Medical Board enforcement, not a single “medspa statute.”
Ohio requires physicians to retain authority over diagnosis, treatment, prescribing, delegation, and quality assurance; business owners and MSOs may handle only nonclinical functions.
The medical director is typically a Michigan-licensed physician (MD/DO) who maintains clinical authority over medical decisions. Business operators may manage non-clinical functions, but Michigan’s Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) framework restricts non-physicians from making diagnoses, providing treatment, or prescribing.
Michigan treats injectables, lasers, and IV therapy as medical acts. A licensed physician must oversee these services.
Medical directors must be Michigan-licensed MDs or DOs.
The medical director must be a North Carolina–licensed physician (MD/DO) with clinical control over medical decision-making. Business owners may manage operations through administrative or management arrangements, but they may not control the practice of medicine.
Only a North Carolina–licensed physician (MD/DO) may serve as the medical director for medical procedures. Nonphysicians may own the business entity, but they may not practice medicine or control medical decision-making.
Medical directors must be North Carolina licensed MDs or DOs. NPs and PAs require written collaboration or supervisory arrangements to prescribe weight loss medications.
The medical director must be an Illinois-licensed physician (MD or DO) who retains authority over medical decision-making.
Only an Illinois-licensed physician (MD or DO) may serve as the medical director for medical procedures.
Medical directors must be Illinois-licensed MDs or DOs in good standing.
The medical director must be a Tennessee-licensed physician (MD/DO) who maintains responsibility for medical decision-making, supervision, and delegation of clinical services.
Only a Tennessee-licensed physician (MD or DO) can serve as a medical director or supervising physician for a medical spa.
Medical directors must be Tennessee-licensed physicians when overseeing medical services, delegation, and clinical decision-making.
The medical director must be a Washington-licensed physician, MD or DO, who retains authority over medical decision-making.
In Washington, medical procedures performed in a medspa setting must fall under the authority of a licensed physician, MD or DO, when a physician-led structure is used.
Medical Directors in Washington must be licensed MDs or DOs in active, good standing status.