Medical spas combine the results-driven power of medical treatments with the calming experience of a traditional spa. As consumer demand for aesthetic services continues to surge, the med spa industry is projected to grow by more than $31.5 billion in the coming years.
But while the opportunity is massive, opening a medical spa isn't as simple as leasing a space and buying equipment. One of the biggest hurdles for new owners is understanding business license medical spa requirements, state regulations, and how to structure ownership legally and profitably.
In this guide, we'll walk through med spa licensing basics, ownership models, and how the best medical spa software can support compliance and long-term growth.
Short answer: yes–but the type of license depends on your state and your services.
Med spa licensing requirements vary widely across the U.S. Two main factors determine what you'll need:
Because med spas provide medical-grade aesthetic services–such as injectables, laser treatments, and body contouring–they are regulated differently than traditional day spas.
Every state regulates medical spas differently. For example:
Because these rules are constantly evolving, it's critical to work with a healthcare attorney before opening your doors. This ensures your business license medical spa setup is compliant from day one.
Not all spas are regulated the same way. Licensing requirements depend heavily on the services you provide.
Day spas typically offer non-medical services such as:
These businesses usually require basic business permits and cosmetology licenses but no medical oversight.
Medical spas offer services that alter living tissue or require medical judgment, including:
Because of this, med spas must comply with medical practice laws, which often require physician involvement.
In most states, you can only legally operate a med spa if:
If you're not a physician, the MSO structure allows you to own and operate the business side of the med spa, while a physician-owned entity handles all medical services.
Under this arrangement, the physician must:
This model is common, legal, and scalable–when set up correctly.
Opening a compliant med spa also requires several non-medical business steps.
Your name and brand should be memorable, professional, and aligned with your services. This includes:
Your website plays a huge role here. A modern med spa website should include:
Many practices rely on the best med spa software to power these features seamlessly.
You'll need to register your med spa as a:
You'll also need:
This step is essential for securing your business license medical spa approval.
Most med spas require:
Insurance requirements vary by state and services offered, so consult both legal and insurance professionals.
Hiring the right team is about more than talent–it's about credentials.
Medical treatments must be performed by appropriately licensed providers, such as:
Cosmetic and spa services may require licensed aestheticians or cosmetologists.
Using the best medi spa software can help track licenses, certifications, training records, and employee onboarding–critical for staying compliant.
Compliance doesn't stop at licensing. Ongoing documentation, patient records, consent forms, and reporting are all part of running a legal and efficient med spa.
That's where the best medical spa software makes a real difference.
A comprehensive platform like AestheticsPro helps med spa owners:
Instead of juggling multiple systems, everything lives in one centralized platform–saving time and reducing risk.
While every state is different, most med spas follow these general steps:
Skipping any of these steps can delay your launch–or worse, expose you to legal risk.
Licensing is just the beginning. Long-term success requires systems that support compliance, efficiency, and growth.
AestheticsPro is trusted by practices nationwide as one of the best medical spa software solutions available. From patient management to business operations, our platform is designed specifically for med spas–not generic clinics.
If you're serious about launching or scaling your med spa the right way, the right technology matters.
Schedule a free demo with AestheticsPro today and see how the best med spa software can help you stay compliant, grow faster, and deliver an exceptional client experience.
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