Blog | Clarity Technologies

Is Your Medical Spa Legally Compliant?

Written by Clarity Technologies | Mar 15, 2024 4:00:00 PM

Launching a medical aesthetic office can be an incredibly challenging, but ultimately rewarding, venture. Before opening the doors to your practice, there are several key factors to consider, including but not limited to: market characteristics, population statistics, competition, potential resources, and personal drive.

Think you are immune from a medical spa crackdown? Think again.

Law enforcement and medical boards penalize medical spas with increasing frequency. Fines, medical license suspensions, and even arrests work to protect patients from medical spas operating outside of the law.

While you may think that your medical spa is fully compliant with the law, you may be surprised to learn that you’re missing crucial, legally required documents in your aesthetics practice. Not having these documents ready to present to a medical board inspector upon request could lead to legal penalties including:

  • $50,000-100,000 fines

  • Medical license suspension

  • Forced closure of your practice

Legal Paperwork for Medical Spas Required by Law

If an inspector from the medical board arrives in your practice, they may request one or more of the following documents, which must be on-site 24/7:

  1. Licenses to practice for every single provider
  2. Legal agreements between the medical director(s) and all extender providers
  3. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all treatments you offer in your practice
  4. SOPs and scope of practice for all providers, whether contracted or employed by your medical spa

If you’re missing one or more of these, your best hope is to incur a fine of $50,000-100,000. Worst-case scenarios include suspension of a medical license and/or forced closure of your practice.

What Forms Are Available With Clarity's Practice Performance System?

Treatment SOPs, which are required to be on-site for patient safety, provider compliance, and other legal purposes, include, but are not limited to:

  • Injectables

  • Microneedling

  • Lasers

  • Body contouring

  • Vaginal rejuvenation

Legal SOPs, designed to protect medical directors, extender providers, and ensure patient safety, include:

  • Laser safety

  • Medication administration

  • Authorization to perform procedures

  • Agreement between MDs and extenders

  • Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners