Kentucky medical director requirements for med spas

Physician supervision & delegation in Kentucky

Kentucky's cosmetology chapter draws the med spa line itself, in one sentence. No person shall engage in the practice of cosmetology, esthetic practices or nail technology for other than cosmetic purposes, nor engage in them for the treatment of physical or mental ailments — and the chapter does not apply to persons authorized by Kentucky law to practice medicine, nursing and the other named professions who perform incidental practices of cosmetology in the normal course of their own profession. The esthetic-practices definition then contemplates the medical setting expressly: it includes providing preoperative and postoperative esthetic skin care, either referred by or supervised by a medical professional, unless the acts are performed incident to treatment of an illness or a disease. On the medical side the practice of medicine is defined as the diagnosis, treatment or correction of any and all human conditions, ailments, diseases, injuries or infirmities by any and all means, methods, devices, or instrumentalities; and employing an unlicensed person as a practitioner of medicine, or otherwise aiding, assisting or abetting the unlawful practice of medicine or any other healing art, is a ground for discipline.

• No person shall engage in the practice of cosmetology, esthetic practices, or nail technology for other than cosmetic purposes nor shall any person engage in the practice of cosmetology, esthetic practices, or nail technology for the treatment of physical or mental ailments. This chapter does not apply to persons authorized by the law of this state to practice medicine, podiatry, optometry, dentistry, chiropractic, nursing, or embalming who perform incidental practices of cosmetology, esthetic practices, and nail technology in the normal course of the practice of their profession.

  Ky. Rev. Stat. §317A.020(1) · verified Sep 3, 2026

• "Esthetic practices" means one or more of the following acts: providing preoperative and postoperative esthetic skin care, either referred by or supervised by a medical professional, unless these acts are performed incident to treatment of an illness or a disease; work as a student in a board-approved school; or work performed by a licensed massage therapist.

  Ky. Rev. Stat. §317A.010(7)(e) · verified Sep 3, 2026

• The "practice of medicine or osteopathy" means the diagnosis, treatment, or correction of any and all human conditions, ailments, diseases, injuries, or infirmities by any and all means, methods, devices, or instrumentalities.

  Ky. Rev. Stat. §311.550(10) · verified Sep 3, 2026

• The board may deny, probate, suspend or revoke a license where the licensee has employed, as a practitioner of medicine or osteopathy in the practice of his or her profession in the Commonwealth, any person not duly licensed or otherwise aided, assisted, or abetted the unlawful practice of medicine or osteopathy or any other healing art.

  Ky. Rev. Stat. §311.595(11) · verified Sep 3, 2026

• "Cosmetology" means the practice of hair styling, esthetics, and nail technology. The practice of cosmetology does not include acts performed incident to treatment of an illness or a disease.

  Ky. Rev. Stat. §317A.010(4) · verified Sep 3, 2026

• Nursing assistance means the performance of delegated nursing acts by unlicensed nursing personnel for compensation under supervision of a nurse.

  Ky. Rev. Stat. §314.011(13) (“Nursing assistance” defined) · verified Sep 8, 2026

• Kentucky's esthetic practices regulation provides that “Dermaplane procedures, dermabrasion procedures, microneedling procedures, blades, knives, and lancets are prohibited, except for: (a) Procedures for basic exfoliation; (b) Advanced extraction of impurities from the skin using a lancet of 2mm or less; and (c) Dermaplane procedures for advanced exfoliation under direct supervision of a licensed physician.” Microneedling is not among the listed exceptions, so it is prohibited for licensees of the board under this section.

  201 KAR 12:280, Section 3(2) · verified Sep 20, 2026

• “Microneedling” means the use of multiple tiny solid needles designed to pierce the skin for the purpose of stimulating collagen production or cellular renewal. Devices used may be in the form of rollers, stamps, or electronic pens. Microneedling is also known as: (a) Dermal needling; (b) Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT); (c) Dermal rolling; (d) Cosmetic dry needling; (e) Multitrepannic collagen actuation; or (f) Percutaneous collagen induction.

  201 KAR 12:280 §1(7) (eff. 2025-12-02) · verified Sep 3, 2026

• A licensee shall not use any preparation, product, device, or procedure that pierces or penetrates the skin beyond the stratum germinativum layer, also known as the basal layer of the epidermis.

  201 KAR 12:280 §8(1) (eff. 2025-12-02) · verified Sep 3, 2026

Recent Kentucky changes

• KY HB885: an Act relating to cosmetology.Mar 27, 2026