Who may operate a cosmetic laser in North Carolina?
Oversight · part of The Practice Perimeter
Short answer
A physician, or a licensed health professional within their own scope with medical training under physician supervision (preferably on-site); licensed electrologists with a laser hair practitioner credential may do hair removal, not tattoo removal.
The Medical Board’s position is that the revision, destruction, incision or other structural alteration of human tissue using laser technology is surgery. It may be performed by a physician, or by a licensed health care professional acting within their own scope with appropriate medical training and under the supervision — preferably on-site — of a physician.
NCMB Position Statement 5.1.2 (adopted July 1999, amended May 2021) · verified Aug 17, 2026 · regulatory monitoring, not legal advice
Related North Carolina rules
Licensed electrologists who hold a laser hair practitioner credential may perform laser hair removal — but not tattoo removal — under the supervision of a physician.
NCMB Position Statement 5.1.2 · verified Aug 17, 2026
It is the position of the Board that good medical practice requires that each patient be examined by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner licensed or approved by the Board prior to receiving the first laser hair and tattoo removal treatment and at other times as medically indicated; when medication is prescribed or dispensed in connection with laser hair or tattoo removal, the supervising physician shall assure the patient receives thorough instructions on the safe use or application of the medication; and the Board weighs, among other factors, the quality of written protocols for the performance of the procedure.
NCMB Position Statement 5.1.2 (Laser surgery — supervision and written protocols) · verified Sep 8, 2026
How other states answer this
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- Connecticut
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- Illinois
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- Oregon
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- South Carolina
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- Texas
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