What happens if a med spa in each state operates without the right license
The same question, answered for 51 states from each state’s own law. States disagree on this, which is the point — an answer that is right in one is wrong next door. Every entry below is a statute or board rule we verified, most recently Sep 8, 2026.
Enforcement · part of The Practice Perimeter
| State | What its rule says | Cited to |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | A Class C felony — practicing or offering to practice medicine without a Board certificate of qualification and a Licensure Commission license is a Class C felony, and laser or energy treatments below the stratum corneum are practicing medicine. | Ala. Code § 34-24-51 Sep 8, 2026 |
| Alaska | It's a crime — anyone practicing medicine or osteopathy in Alaska without a valid license or permit is guilty of a class A misdemeanor, and each day of illegal practice counts as a separate offense. | AS 08.64.360 (Penalty for practicing without a license) Sep 5, 2026 |
| Arizona | It's a felony — practicing medicine without a license, or outside an exemption, is a class 5 felony in Arizona, and the state can also obtain an injunction to shut the unlicensed practice down without proving any patient was harmed. | A.R.S. §32-1455(A)(1) Jul 26, 2026 |
| Arkansas | (C) Aiding or abetting an unlicensed person to practice medicine; | Ark. Code Ann. § 17-95-409(a)(2)(C) (Unprofessional conduct — grounds for revocation or suspension) Sep 4, 2026 |
| California | It's a crime — unlicensed practice of medicine carries a fine up to $10,000 and up to a year in county jail, and the same penalties reach anyone aiding, abetting, or conspiring, including a physician who lends their license to a lay-owned spa. | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §2052 Jul 26, 2026 |
| Colorado | Penalties apply — practicing, or even offering to practice, medicine without an active license carries statutory penalties, and fees for unlawful care are uncollectible; an unlicensed owner keeping an office to treat patients is deemed to be practicing. | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-240-121(1)(p); § 12-240-135(3) Sep 2, 2026 |
| Connecticut | Criminal exposure — anyone who diagnoses, treats or operates on a patient for compensation without a Connecticut medical license commits a class D felony, and each separate patient contact or consultation counts as its own offense. | Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-14 (penalty for practicing medicine without a license) Sep 3, 2026 |
| Delaware | Criminal exposure — practicing medicine contrary to the chapter is a class F felony: $1,000–$5,000 and/or up to 3 years, prosecuted by the Attorney General. The cited rules set no penalty for an aesthetics shop operating without a shop license. | 24 Del. C. § 1766(a) Sep 8, 2026 |
| District of Columbia | Illegal — no person, including a corporation, may practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice a regulated health occupation without a current license or exemption; conviction brings up to 1 year in jail and a $10,000 fine, $25,000 if repeat. | D.C. Code §3-1210.01 (Practicing without license, registration, or certification) Sep 8, 2026 |
| Florida | Criminal exposure, not just fines — practicing or attempting to practice medicine without a license is a third-degree felony in Florida, and operating an unlicensed health care clinic carries AHCA fines up to $5,000 per violation plus license action. | Fla. Stat. §458.327(1)(a) Jul 26, 2026 |
| Georgia | Criminal exposure — practicing medicine without complying with Georgia's Medical Practice Act, or otherwise violating it, is a felony: a $1,000 fine per violation, two to five years' imprisonment, or both, separate from anything the Board imposes. | O.C.G.A. §43-34-42(a) Aug 17, 2026 |
| Hawaii | Unlicensed practice of medicine draws a fine of up to $500 or up to six months in jail, and each day counts as a separate offense; on conviction, the tools, implements, medicines and drugs used are forfeited to the State and destroyed. | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 453-13 Sep 8, 2026 |
| Idaho | Criminal exposure — anyone practicing medicine in Idaho without a license commits a felony punishable by up to five years in state prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, unless they fall within the chapter's stated exemptions. | Idaho Code §54-1804(3) Sep 3, 2026 |
| Illinois | Criminal exposure — practicing medicine without a license is a Class 4 felony on a first offense and a Class 3 felony on a subsequent one, and a repeat offender also faces mandatory permanent-injunction proceedings brought by the Department's Secretary. | 225 ILCS 60/59 Aug 17, 2026 |
| Indiana | Criminal exposure — knowingly or intentionally practicing medicine without a license is a Level 5 felony, and the attorney general, a prosecutor, the board, or any citizen may bring an action in the state's name to enjoin the unlicensed practice. | Ind. Code §25-22.5-8-2 Jul 26, 2026 |
| Iowa | Unlicensed practice is barred — no one may practice medicine, nursing, cosmetology arts and sciences or the other listed professions without that board's license; that's a serious misdemeanor unless pharmacy-related or another penalty is specified. | Iowa Code § 147.2(1) Sep 8, 2026 |
| Kansas | Civil penalties accrue daily — practicing a board-regulated profession without a license, or on a revoked or suspended one, is unlawful and can expose the violator to up to $1,000 for each day the unlawful practice continues. | Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-2803(c) Sep 3, 2026 |
| Kentucky | Each violation is a Class D felony — practicing medicine, or even maintaining an office or holding out as ready to practice, without a board license is criminal, and a physician who employs or abets the unlicensed practitioner also faces board discipline. | Ky. Rev. Stat. §311.990(4) Sep 3, 2026 |
| Louisiana | Criminal penalties — each offense under the Medical Practice Act carries a fine of $250 to $500, jail of 10 days to 5 months, or both, and the board can separately seek an injunction barring practice until a license is obtained. | La. Rev. Stat. §37:1290 Sep 3, 2026 |
| Maine | Criminal exposure — practicing or purporting to practice medicine without a board license is a Class E crime in Maine. The cited rules stop there: they don't set out fines, closure powers, or exactly which uses of "Dr." or "M.D." cross the line. | 32 M.R.S. §3270 Sep 8, 2026 |
| Maryland | Unlicensed practice — or attempting or offering to practice medicine — is barred unless the title provides otherwise; absent the carve-out for a recently lapsed licensee seeking reinstatement, it's a felony: up to $10,000, 5 years, plus a $50,000 civil fine. | Md. Code, Health Occ. §14-601 Sep 8, 2026 |
| Massachusetts | Criminal penalties — anyone not registered who practices, attempts to practice, or merely holds out as practicing medicine faces a $100–$1,000 fine, one month to one year of imprisonment, or both, and can recover no compensation for the services rendered. | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 6 Sep 1, 2026 |
| Michigan | A felony — practicing, or even just holding out as practicing, a regulated health profession without a valid license (or on a lapsed, suspended, revoked or borrowed one) is a felony in Michigan; acts performed under a lawful delegation are excepted. | Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.16294 Sep 2, 2026 |
| Minnesota | It's a crime — anyone practicing medicine without a valid Minnesota license or interstate telehealth registration is guilty of a gross misdemeanor, and laser procedures, invasive or noninvasive, count as practicing medicine. | Minn. Stat. § 147.081, subd. 1–2 Sep 8, 2026 |
| Mississippi | Criminal penalties — unlicensed practice as a physician or surgeon draws $100–$200 and/or 3–12 months in jail on a first conviction, $200–$500 or 1–2 years in the penitentiary on a second. Unlicensed cosmetology practice is a separate $500–$1,000 misdemeanor. | Miss. Code Ann. § 97-23-43 (Profession; practicing without license — as reprinted by the State Board of Medical Licensure) Sep 8, 2026 |
| Missouri | Practicing medicine without a license is a class D felony in Missouri — and each patient treated counts as a separate offense, so exposure multiplies with every unlicensed treatment rather than being one charge. | Mo. Rev. Stat. §334.250.1 Sep 8, 2026 |
| Montana | Unlawful — without a cosmetology-chapter license no one may own, manage, or operate a salon or shop, and esthetics for compensation is barred except for those authorized to practice the healing arts; the board can suspend or revoke a salon license. | Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-301(1) Sep 8, 2026 |
| Nebraska | The director can order an unlicensed business to cease and desist and refer it to the Attorney General; operating after that order is a Class III felony. Credential holders must report anyone they believe is operating without a required credential. | Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-1,124(2) Sep 3, 2026 |
| Nevada | Unlicensed practice of medicine is a felony — category D absent substantial bodily harm, category C if it results, unless a greater penalty applies; the Board may also order the person to cease and desist until licensed or shown to be no longer in violation. | Nev. Rev. Stat. §630.400(2) Sep 3, 2026 |
| New Hampshire | It's unlawful practice — practicing or advertising medicine without a license exposes the operator to a board cease-and-desist enforceable in superior court, an injunction suit by the board, AG or a prosecutor, and civil penalties assessed by the board. | N.H. Rev. Stat. §329:24, I (Unlawful Practice) Sep 3, 2026 |
| New Jersey | Not directly — the cited ground reaches licensees: a board may refuse, suspend or revoke a license for permitting an unlicensed person to practice or for violating a board regulation. Penalties against the business itself are not set out in these rules. | N.J.S.A. 45:1-21 Aug 17, 2026 |
| New Mexico | Practicing — or attempting to practice — medicine in New Mexico without a license is a fourth degree felony, and the board, attorney general, a prosecutor or any citizen can sue to enjoin the practice until a valid license is obtained. | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 61-6-20(A) (Practicing without license) Sep 4, 2026 |
| New York | It's a crime — practicing, offering to practice or holding yourself out as able to practice medicine unlicensed, or aiding an unlicensed person, is a class E felony; licensees involved also face discipline up to revocation and $10,000 per charge. | N.Y. Educ. Law §6512(1) Aug 17, 2026 |
| North Carolina | Practicing medicine or surgery without a license is a Class 1 misdemeanor in North Carolina, and it rises to a Class I felony if the person falsely represents that they are licensed. | N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-18(a) Aug 17, 2026 |
| North Dakota | The cited rules settle only the nursing side — willfully practicing nursing without a license, or willfully employing an unlicensed person to do nursing work, is a class B misdemeanor, and the Board of Nursing may limit, suspend or revoke a license. | N.D.C.C. § 43-12.1-15(4) (Practicing in any nursing role without a license) Sep 5, 2026 |
| Ohio | Criminal charges — practicing medicine, or opening or conducting an office for it, without a State Medical Board certificate is an offense punishable as a fifth-degree felony for the first violation and a fourth-degree felony for each one after that. | Ohio Rev. Code §4731.99(A) Aug 18, 2026 |
| Oklahoma | Unlicensed practice of medicine is a felony — conviction carries a fine of $1,000 to $10,000, each day in violation is a separate offense, and the district attorney may also file a medical battery charge for each person injured by the treatment. | Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 491(A)(2) (Practicing without a license is a FELONY) Sep 5, 2026 |
| Oregon | It's illegal — practicing medicine without a license is barred, and the Medical Board can sue for an injunction (breach is punishable as contempt) while the county district attorney prosecutes violations; the cited rules don't set fine amounts. | Or. Rev. Stat. §677.080(4) (Prohibited acts) Sep 3, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | It's a criminal offense — practicing without a license, or otherwise violating the Act or a Board rule, is a third-degree misdemeanor: up to $2,000 or six months' jail for a first offense, rising to $5,000–$20,000 and six months to a year after that. | Medical Practice Act of 1985 §39(a) (63 P.S. §422.39) Aug 17, 2026 |
| Rhode Island | It's a crime — practicing medicine without a Rhode Island license, including merely opening an office or holding out as a practitioner, carries up to 3 years in prison, a fine up to $1,000, or both, and the violator cannot collect payment for the services. | R.I. Gen. Laws §5-37-12 Sep 3, 2026 |
| South Carolina | Criminal exposure — practicing or offering to practice medicine without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail or a $50,000 fine, each violation counted separately; a licensee who assists unlicensed practice also faces board discipline. | S.C. Code §40-47-200 Sep 8, 2026 |
| South Dakota | It's a crime — anyone at the med spa who practices medicine or osteopathy, or any branch of it, without a license, certificate, or permit issued by the medical board is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The cited rules set no penalty for other license lapses. | S.D. Codified Laws §36-4-8 Sep 3, 2026 |
| Tennessee | Willfully and knowingly practicing medicine without a license draws a Type A civil penalty of $500 to $1,000; separately, operating without current med spa registration is unprofessional conduct by the medical director and any supervising physician there. | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.12(4) (Civil penalties — schedule and amounts) Sep 8, 2026 |
| Texas | Practicing medicine without a license in Texas is a third-degree felony, and each day of unlicensed practice is a separate offense; the Medical Board may also issue a cease-and-desist order against an unlicensed person it believes is practicing medicine. | Tex. Occ. Code §165.152 Jul 26, 2026 |
| Utah | It's unlawful conduct — a class A misdemeanor unless this title specifies otherwise, plus an administrative fine of up to $1,000 per instance unless a specific amount is set elsewhere, and the division may order the operation to cease and desist. | Utah Code § 58-1-502(1) (Unlawful and unprofessional conduct — Penalties) Sep 8, 2026 |
| Vermont | Unlicensed practice of medicine is a crime — anyone who practices, advertises, or holds out as authorized to practice medicine without a license, or uses a fictitious name, faces up to two years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both. | Vt. Stat. tit. 26, §1314(a) (Illegal practice) Sep 3, 2026 |
| Virginia | Not the facility — Virginia issues no med spa license; the offense is personal: practicing medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, or as a physician assistant without a valid unrevoked Board license is unlawful. The cited rules don't state the penalty. | Va. Code § 54.1-2902 Sep 2, 2026 |
| Washington | The Secretary shall investigate complaints concerning practice by UNLICENSED persons of any profession requiring a license, and may issue a notice of intention to issue a cease and desist order. | Wash. Rev. Code 18.130.190(1) and (2) Sep 2, 2026 |
| West Virginia | Unlicensed practice of medicine is a felony — a person never licensed, or whose license is expired over 90 days, inactive, suspended, revoked or surrendered, and not within a statutory licensure exception, faces up to $10,000, one to five years, or both. | W. Va. Code §30-3-13(a), (h) Sep 8, 2026 |
| Wisconsin | Criminal penalties — practicing medicine, attempting to, or representing the practice as authorized without a board license carries a fine up to $10,000 or up to nine months' imprisonment, or both; a licensed physician faces up to $25,000. | Wis. Stat. § 448.09(1) Sep 2, 2026 |
| Wyoming | The board can go to court for an injunction to stop the unlicensed practice, and any licensee who aided or abetted it faces discipline up to revocation; the cited rules don't address fines or criminal penalties. | Wyo. Stat. Ann. §33-1-303(a)(iii) Sep 3, 2026 |
Every state, in its own words
Alabama
Any person who practices medicine or osteopathy, or offers to do so, in the state without a certificate of qualification issued on his or her behalf by the State Board of Medical Examiners and without a license and certificate of registration from the Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama is guilty of a Class C felony.
Ala. Code § 34-24-51 · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Alabama answer, with the rest of the section →Alaska
a person practicing medicine or osteopathy in the state without a valid license or permit is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
AS 08.64.360 (Penalty for practicing without a license) · verified Sep 5, 2026
The full Alaska answer, with the rest of the section →Arizona
Practicing medicine without a license (or outside an exemption) is a class 5 felony.
A.R.S. §32-1455(A)(1) · verified Jul 26, 2026
The full Arizona answer, with the rest of the section →Arkansas
(C) Aiding or abetting an unlicensed person to practice medicine;
Ark. Code Ann. § 17-95-409(a)(2)(C) (Unprofessional conduct — grounds for revocation or suspension) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The full Arkansas answer, with the rest of the section →California
Unlicensed practice of medicine is a crime — punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and up to a year in county jail (or imprisonment under Penal Code §1170(h)) — and the same penalties reach aiding, abetting, or conspiring with an unlicensed practitioner. This is the statute that catches lay-owned spas practicing medicine and physicians who lend their license.
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §2052 · verified Jul 26, 2026 · read at Public.Law — California Codes
The full California answer, with the rest of the section →Colorado
⚠️ AND THE ADJACENT GROUND IS A FELONY. Dispensing or injecting an anabolic steroid is unprofessional conduct “UNLESS THE ANABOLIC STEROID IS DISPENSED FROM A PHARMACY PRESCRIPTION DRUG OUTLET PURSUANT TO A PRESCRIPTION ORDER OR IS DISPENSED BY ANY PRACTITIONER IN THE COURSE OF THE PRACTITIONER’S PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE” — and any person who violates that provision COMMITS A CLASS 5 FELONY, with a second or subsequent violation A CLASS 3 FELONY. Sourcing outside a pharmacy is the exposure.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-240-121(1)(p); § 12-240-135(3) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Colorado answer, with the rest of the section →Connecticut
Any person who violates any provision of section 20-9 shall be guilty of a class D felony. For the purposes of this section, each instance of patient contact or consultation which is in violation of any provision of section 20-9 shall constitute a separate offense.
Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-14 (penalty for practicing medicine without a license) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Connecticut answer, with the rest of the section →Delaware
A person who practices or attempts to practice medicine contrary to the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a class F felony and shall be fined not less than $1000 nor more than $5000 or imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both.
24 Del. C. § 1766(a) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Delaware answer, with the rest of the section →District of Columbia
Under the section headed Practicing without license, registration, or certification, no person shall practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice a health occupation licensed, registered, certified, or regulated under the chapter in the District unless currently licensed, registered, or certified, or exempted from licensure, registration, or certification, under the chapter.
D.C. Code §3-1210.01 (Practicing without license, registration, or certification) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full District of Columbia answer, with the rest of the section →Florida
Practicing or attempting to practice medicine without a license in Florida is a third-degree felony.
Fla. Stat. §458.327(1)(a) · verified Jul 26, 2026
The full Florida answer, with the rest of the section →Georgia
Practicing medicine without complying with the Medical Practice Act — or otherwise violating any provision of it — is a felony in Georgia, punishable by a fine of $1,000 per violation or imprisonment of two to five years, or both. This is a criminal exposure that sits above and separate from anything the Board can impose.
O.C.G.A. §43-34-42(a) · verified Aug 17, 2026 · read at FindLaw Codes
The full Georgia answer, with the rest of the section →Hawaii
Any person who violates this chapter, or who offers or in any way attempts to engage in the practice of medicine as defined in section 453-1 and fails to comply with any of the requirements or provisions of this chapter, penalty for which violation or failure to comply is not otherwise provided for, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months and each day's violation or failure to comply shall be deemed a separate offense. All tools, implements, medicine, and drugs used in the practice of medicine by any person convicted of practicing medicine without a license shall be declared forfeited to the State by the court and ordered destroyed.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 453-13 · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Hawaii answer, with the rest of the section →Idaho
Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, it shall constitute a felony for any person to practice medicine in this state without a license and upon conviction thereof shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a period not to exceed five (5) years, or shall be fined no more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or shall be punished by both such fine and imprisonment.
Idaho Code §54-1804(3) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Idaho answer, with the rest of the section →Illinois
Practicing medicine without a license is a Class 4 felony in Illinois on a first offense and a Class 3 felony on a subsequent one, and a repeat offender also faces mandatory proceedings for a permanent injunction brought by the Secretary of the Department.
225 ILCS 60/59 · verified Aug 17, 2026
The full Illinois answer, with the rest of the section →Indiana
Knowingly or intentionally practicing medicine without a license is a Level 5 felony.
Ind. Code §25-22.5-8-2 · verified Jul 26, 2026
The full Indiana answer, with the rest of the section →Iowa
Unlicensed practice is prohibited: a person shall not engage in the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, cosmetology arts and sciences, or the other listed professions, or practice as a physician assistant, unless the person has obtained a license for that purpose from the board for the profession.
Iowa Code § 147.2(1) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Iowa answer, with the rest of the section →Kansas
The commission of any act or practice declared to be a violation of this section may render the violator liable to the state or county for the payment of a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day for each day a person engages in the unlawful practice of a profession regulated by the board.
Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-2803(c) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Kansas answer, with the rest of the section →Kentucky
Each violation of KRS 311.560 shall constitute a Class D felony.
Ky. Rev. Stat. §311.990(4) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Kentucky answer, with the rest of the section →Louisiana
Whoever violates any of the provisions of this Part shall, for each offense, be fined not less than two hundred and fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than five months, or both.
La. Rev. Stat. §37:1290 · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Louisiana answer, with the rest of the section →Maine
Unless licensed by the board, an individual may not practice medicine or surgery or a branch of medicine or surgery within the State; and whoever, not being duly licensed by the board, practices medicine or surgery or purports to practice medicine or surgery in a way cited in the section, or uses the title Doctor or the letters Dr. or M.D. in connection with that individual's name contrary to the section, commits a Class E crime.
32 M.R.S. §3270 · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Maine answer, with the rest of the section →Maryland
Except as otherwise provided in the title, a person may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice medicine in the State unless licensed by the Board; and a licensee on inactive or emeritus status may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice medicine or delegate medical acts.
Md. Code, Health Occ. §14-601 · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Maryland answer, with the rest of the section →Massachusetts
Practicing without a license is a crime in Massachusetts, and the section reaches holding yourself out as much as treating. Whoever is not lawfully authorized to practice medicine and registered under § 2, yet holds himself out as a practitioner of medicine or practices or ATTEMPTS to practice medicine in any of its branches — or practices under a false or assumed name, or personates another practitioner — shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for not less than one month nor more than one year, or both.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 6 · verified Sep 1, 2026
The full Massachusetts answer, with the rest of the section →Michigan
⚠️ PRACTICING WITHOUT A LICENSE IS A FELONY IN MICHIGAN. An individual who practices, or HOLDS HIMSELF OR HERSELF OUT AS PRACTICING, a regulated health profession without a license — or under a suspended, revoked, lapsed, void or fraudulently obtained one, or outside a limited license, or using another person’s license — is guilty of a felony. Holding out is enough; treating a patient is not required.
Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.16294 · verified Sep 2, 2026 · read at Internet Archive snapshot — evidence of a page, not the current rule
The full Michigan answer, with the rest of the section →Minnesota
Unlicensed practice (the section is headed Practicing without license; penalty): it is unlawful for any person to practice medicine in the state unless the person holds a valid license issued according to the chapter or is registered to provide interstate telehealth services according to section 147.032, and any person violating that requirement or section 147.082 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
Minn. Stat. § 147.081, subd. 1–2 · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Minnesota answer, with the rest of the section →Mississippi
Unlicensed practice of medicine is a crime: if any person shall practice as a physician or surgeon without having first been examined and obtained a license as required by law, he shall, on conviction of the first offense, be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $200, or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than three months or more than twelve months, or both; and on conviction of a second offense by a fine of not less than $200 or more than $500, or by imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than one year or more than two years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 97-23-43 (Profession; practicing without license — as reprinted by the State Board of Medical Licensure) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Mississippi answer, with the rest of the section →Missouri
Any person who violates section 334.010 shall, upon conviction, be adjudged guilty of a class D felony for each and every offense, and treating each patient is considered a separate offense.
Mo. Rev. Stat. §334.250.1 · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Missouri answer, with the rest of the section →Montana
Without an appropriate license issued under this chapter, it is unlawful: (a) to practice barbering, barbering nonchemical, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, or manicuring for compensation; (b) for an unlicensed student to provide services as a barber, a barber nonchemical, a cosmetologist, an electrologist, an esthetician, or a manicurist other than in a licensed school; (c) to own, manage, or operate a salon, shop, booth, or school; or to teach in a school other than as a student enrolled in a teacher training course.
Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-301(1) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Montana answer, with the rest of the section →Nebraska
The director, with the recommendation of the appropriate board, may issue an order to cease and desist the unauthorized practice of such profession or the unauthorized operation of such business as a measure to obtain compliance with the applicable credentialing requirements by the person prior to referral of the matter to the Attorney General for action. Practice of such profession or operation of such business without a credential after receiving a cease and desist order is a Class III felony.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-1,124(2) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Nebraska answer, with the rest of the section →Nevada
Unless a greater penalty is provided pursuant to NRS 200.830 or 200.840, a person who violates any provision of subsection 1, if no substantial bodily harm results, is guilty of a category D felony; or if substantial bodily harm results, is guilty of a category C felony.
Nev. Rev. Stat. §630.400(2) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Nevada answer, with the rest of the section →New Hampshire
Whoever, not being licensed or otherwise authorized according to the law of this state, shall advertise oneself as practicing medicine, or shall practice medicine, according to the meaning of RSA 329, or in any way hold oneself out as qualified so to do, or call oneself a physician, or whoever does any such acts after receiving notice that such person’s license has been revoked, is engaged in unlawful practice.
N.H. Rev. Stat. §329:24, I (Unlawful Practice) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full New Hampshire answer, with the rest of the section →New Jersey
Permitting an unlicensed person to practice is itself a listed ground for board action, as is violating a regulation of the board and having a license revoked or suspended by another state.
N.J.S.A. 45:1-21 · verified Aug 17, 2026
The full New Jersey answer, with the rest of the section →New Mexico
Any person who practices medicine or who attempts to practice medicine without first complying with the provisions of the Medical Practice Act and without being the holder of a license entitling him to practice medicine in New Mexico is guilty of a fourth degree felony.
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 61-6-20(A) (Practicing without license) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The full New Mexico answer, with the rest of the section →New York
Practicing, offering to practice, or holding oneself out as able to practice a licensed profession without authorization — or aiding or abetting an unlicensed person to practice — is a class E felony.
N.Y. Educ. Law §6512(1) · verified Aug 17, 2026
The full New York answer, with the rest of the section →North Carolina
Practicing medicine or surgery without a license is a Class 1 misdemeanor in North Carolina. It rises to a Class I felony where the person falsely represents that they are licensed.
N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-18(a) · verified Aug 17, 2026
The full North Carolina answer, with the rest of the section →North Dakota
or an unlicensed assistive person as defined by this chapter unless licensed to do so.
N.D.C.C. § 43-12.1-15(4) (Practicing in any nursing role without a license) · verified Sep 5, 2026
The full North Dakota answer, with the rest of the section →Ohio
The penalty sits in a different section from the prohibition, which is why 4731.41 alone does not answer the question: a first violation is a felony of the fifth degree, and each subsequent offense is a felony of the fourth degree.
Ohio Rev. Code §4731.99(A) · verified Aug 18, 2026
The full Ohio answer, with the rest of the section →Oklahoma
Any person practicing in such manner within this state, who is not in the legal possession of a license or certificate, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony, punishable by a fine in an amount not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00)
Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 491(A)(2) (Practicing without a license is a FELONY) · verified Sep 5, 2026
The full Oklahoma answer, with the rest of the section →Oregon
A person may not, except as provided in ORS 676.347, 677.060 and 677.137, practice medicine in this state without a license required by this chapter.
Or. Rev. Stat. §677.080(4) (Prohibited acts) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Oregon answer, with the rest of the section →Pennsylvania
Practicing without a license, or otherwise violating the Medical Practice Act or a Board regulation, is a misdemeanor of the third degree carrying a fine of up to $2,000 or up to six months’ imprisonment for a first offense, rising to a fine of $5,000 to $20,000 and six months to one year on a second or subsequent conviction.
Medical Practice Act of 1985 §39(a) (63 P.S. §422.39) · verified Aug 17, 2026
The full Pennsylvania answer, with the rest of the section →Rhode Island
Any person who is not lawfully authorized to practice medicine within this state, and registered according to law, who practices medicine or surgery or attempts to practice medicine or surgery, or any of the branches of medicine or surgery, after having received or with the intent of receiving, either directly or indirectly, any bonus, gift, or compensation, or who opens an office with intent to practice medicine, or holds himself or herself out to the public as a practitioner of medicine, whether by appending to his or her name the title of doctor or any abbreviation, or M.D., or any other title or designation implying a practitioner of medicine, or in any other way, shall be imprisoned not more than three (3) years, or fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or shall suffer both fine and imprisonment.
R.I. Gen. Laws §5-37-12 · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Rhode Island answer, with the rest of the section →South Carolina
A person who practices or offers to practice medicine in this State in violation of this chapter, or who knowingly submits false information for the purpose of obtaining a license, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars; each violation constitutes a separate offense.
S.C. Code §40-47-200 · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full South Carolina answer, with the rest of the section →South Dakota
Any person who practices medicine, osteopathy, or any of the branches thereof without a license, certificate, or permit issued by the board is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
S.D. Codified Laws §36-4-8 · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full South Dakota answer, with the rest of the section →Tennessee
TENNESSEE NAMES UNLICENSED PRACTICE AS THE EXAMPLE OF ITS MOST SERIOUS CIVIL PENALTY, AND PUTS A NUMBER ON IT. A Type A civil penalty is for a willful and knowing violation “to such an extent that there is, or is likely to be an imminent, substantial threat to the health, safety and welfare of an individual client or the public”, and the rule then says so in terms: “willfully and knowingly practicing medicine without a license, certification or other authorization from the Board is one of the violations of the Medical Practice Act for which a Type A civil penalty is assessable.” “Type A Civil Penalties shall be assessed in the amount of not less than $500 or more than $1,000.” The schedule is set under T.C.A. § 63-1-134, and this claim carries the rule rather than the statute.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.12(4) (Civil penalties — schedule and amounts) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Tennessee answer, with the rest of the section →Texas
Practicing medicine without a license in Texas is a third-degree felony, and each day of unlicensed practice is a separate offense.
Tex. Occ. Code §165.152 · verified Jul 26, 2026
The full Texas answer, with the rest of the section →Utah
UTAH SETS ONE PENALTY FOR EVERY KIND OF UNLAWFUL CONDUCT IN THE LICENSING TITLE, AND PRACTICING WITHOUT A LICENSE IS ONE OF THEM. “Unless otherwise specified in this title, a person who violates the unlawful conduct provisions defined in this title is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.” Money runs alongside the criminal exposure rather than instead of it: “unless a specific fine amount is specified elsewhere in this title, the director or the director’s designee may assess an administrative fine of up to $1,000 for each instance of unprofessional or unlawful conduct defined in this title.” What counts as unlawful conduct is set by the section before this one, which this claim does not carry.
Utah Code § 58-1-502(1) (Unlawful and unprofessional conduct — Penalties) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full Utah answer, with the rest of the section →Vermont
A person who, not being licensed, advertises or holds himself or herself out to the public as described in section 1311 of this title, or who, not being licensed, practices medicine as defined in section 1311, or who practices medicine under a fictitious or assumed name, or who impersonates another practitioner, shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both.
Vt. Stat. tit. 26, §1314(a) (Illegal practice) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Vermont answer, with the rest of the section →Virginia
Practicing without a license is unlawful in Virginia by statute, and § 54.1-2902 is titled exactly that. It is unlawful for any person to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic, or podiatry, OR AS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, in the Commonwealth without a valid unrevoked license issued by the Board. Virginia names the physician assistant in the prohibition itself rather than leaving it to be inferred.
Va. Code § 54.1-2902 · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Virginia answer, with the rest of the section →Washington
The Secretary shall investigate complaints concerning practice by UNLICENSED persons of any profession requiring a license, and may issue a notice of intention to issue a cease and desist order. The recipient has twenty days to request an adjudicative proceeding; failing to request one is a default, on which the Secretary may enter a permanent cease and desist order that may include a civil fine.
Wash. Rev. Code 18.130.190(1) and (2) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Washington answer, with the rest of the section →West Virginia
It is unlawful for any person who does not hold an active, unexpired license issued pursuant to the article, or who is not practicing under the licensure exceptions set forth in the section, to engage in the practice of medicine and surgery or podiatry in the state, to represent that he or she is a physician, surgeon or podiatrist authorized to practice, or to use any title, word or abbreviation to indicate or induce others to believe that he or she is licensed; and a person found to be engaging in the practice of medicine who has never been licensed by the board, holds a license classified as expired for more than ninety days, or holds a license placed in inactive status, revoked, suspended or surrendered, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned in a correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both.
W. Va. Code §30-3-13(a), (h) · verified Sep 8, 2026
The full West Virginia answer, with the rest of the section →Wisconsin
Practicing without a license is punished through the subchapter’s general penalty, because the licensing requirement sits inside it: a person who violates any provision of the medical practice subchapter — § 448.03(1)(a) included — may be fined NOT MORE THAN $10,000 or imprisoned not more than nine months, or both.
Wis. Stat. § 448.09(1) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The full Wisconsin answer, with the rest of the section →Wyoming
A board may seek injunctive relief to prevent individuals from practicing without a license.
Wyo. Stat. Ann. §33-1-303(a)(iii) · verified Sep 3, 2026
The full Wyoming answer, with the rest of the section →Which states this covers
51 of the 51 states for which we publish statute-cited rules. That is not every state, and nothing above should be read as describing one that is not listed — the answer genuinely differs, so a neighbouring state is not a guide. We monitor all 50 state legislatures plus the FDA and the Federal Register daily; the cited rule set is narrower than the monitoring and is growing on its own timetable.
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MedSpaRadar is regulatory monitoring and reference: it summarizes public laws, regulations and agency actions and links each to its source. It is not legal, medical, or compliance advice, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. A summary can lag its source or leave out detail, and monitoring itself can be interrupted — so an absence of alerts means nothing reached you, not that nothing happened. Read the cited source, check its effective date, and confirm any change to your operations or clinical practice with qualified health-law counsel and your medical director. Legislative data via LegiScan (CC BY 4.0).