Utah medical director requirements for med spas
Medical-director, supervision, and delegation requirements for aesthetic practices. Below are the Utah rules that govern it, each linked to its primary source.
Physician supervision & delegation in Utah
Utah separates hair removal from other nonablative cosmetic medical procedures. For nonablative cosmetic medical procedures other than hair removal, § 58-1-506(3) requires the supervisor to hold an unrestricted medical or advanced practice nursing license. The supervisor must personally perform the procedure or authorize general cosmetic medical procedure supervision for a registered nurse or master esthetician, Chapter 70a supervision for a physician assistant, or direct cosmetic medical procedure supervision for an esthetician or practical nurse. A delegate must have appropriate training, an unrestricted license, act within the licensed scope and meet the competence requirements referenced in § 58-1-506(2)(f)(iii). The delegation-group definitions are distinct from these other-than-hair-removal procedure and actor requirements; they do not by themselves grant permission for every nonablative cosmetic medical procedure. GENERAL cosmetic medical procedure supervision requires prior authorization for the patient and supervisee, timely and appropriate in-person availability to evaluate and initiate care for a suspected adverse reaction or complication, and location within 60 minutes or 60 miles of the facility. A medical assistant under the indirect supervision of a physician MAY NOT diagnose, establish a treatment plan, or inject a medication or substance — including a neurotoxin or filler — for cosmetic purposes. The nursing rules define delegation as transferring authority to another nurse, or to an unlicensed individual only a task that does not require a nursing assessment.
"Delegation group A" means the following who are licensed under this title, acting within their respective scopes of practice, and qualified under Subsections (2)(f)(i) and (iii): (i) a physician assistant, if acting in accordance with Chapter 70a, Utah Physician Assistant Act; (ii) a registered nurse; (iii) a master esthetician; and (iv) an electrologist, if evaluating for or performing laser hair removal. (b) "Delegation group B" means: (i) a practical nurse or an esthetician who is licensed under this title, acting within the nurse or esthetician’s respective scopes of practice, and qualified under Subsections (2)(f)(i) and (iii); and (ii) a medical assistant who is qualified under Subsections (2)(f)(i) and (iii).
Utah Code § 58-1-506(1)(a)-(b) (Supervision of cosmetic medical procedures) · verified Sep 4, 2026
"General cosmetic medical procedure supervision" means the supervisor: (i) has authorized the procedure to be done on the patient by the supervisee; (ii) is available in a timely and appropriate manner in person to evaluate and initiate care for a patient with a suspected adverse reaction or complication; and (iii) is located within 60 minutes or 60 miles of the cosmetic medical facility.
Utah Code § 58-1-506(1)(d) (definition of “General cosmetic medical procedure supervision”) · verified Sep 4, 2026
To be approved, a microneedling device shall: (a) be used only by a master esthetician: (i) without supervision if needle penetration does not exceed 1.5 mm; or (ii) with general supervision by a licensed health care practitioner if needle penetration exceeds 1.5 mm; and (b) be used specifically for cosmetic or esthetic purposes.
Utah Admin. Code R156-11a-611(5) (Standards for Approval of Mechanical or Electrical Apparatus) · verified Sep 3, 2026
For a nonablative cosmetic medical procedure other than hair removal under Subsection (2), Subsection (3)(b) states: the supervisor supervising the procedure shall: (i) have an unrestricted license to practice medicine or advanced practice registered nursing; (ii) personally perform the nonablative cosmetic medical procedure or: (A) authorize and provide general cosmetic medical procedure supervision for the nonablative cosmetic medical procedure that is performed by a registered nurse or a master esthetician; or (B) authorize and provide supervision as provided in Chapter 70a, Utah Physician Assistant Act, for the nonablative cosmetic medical procedure that is performed by a physician assistant; and (C) authorize and provide direct cosmetic medical procedure supervision for the nonablative cosmetic medical procedure that is performed by an esthetician or a practical nurse; [continuing Subsection (3)(b):] (iii) verify that a person to whom the supervisor delegates a procedure under Subsection (3)(b): (A) has received appropriate training regarding the medical procedures to be performed; (B) has an unrestricted license and is acting within the person's scope of practice under this title; and (C) is qualified under Subsection (2)(f)(iii).
Utah Code § 58-1-506(3)(b) (Supervision of cosmetic medical procedures) · verified Sep 4, 2026
a medical assistant under the indirect supervision of a physician, may not engage in the following medical practices or procedures: (a) diagnosing; (b) establishing a treatment plan; or (c) injecting the following: (i) medication or substance, including a neurotoxin or filler, for cosmetic purposes; or (ii) cosmetic products with bioactive ingredients with claimed medical benefits.
Utah Admin. Code R156-67-305(4) (Exemptions from licensure — medical assistants) · verified Sep 4, 2026
"Delegate" means: (a) to transfer to another nurse the authority to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation;
Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-102 (Definitions — delegate) · verified Sep 4, 2026
to transfer to an unlicensed individual, including unlicensed assistive personnel or a responsible caregiver, the authority to perform a task that, according to generally accepted industry standards or law, does not require a nursing assessment
Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-102 (Definitions — delegate to an unlicensed individual) · verified Sep 4, 2026
"Microneedling" means the use of multiple tiny solid needles designed to pierce the skin to stimulate collagen production or cellular renewal. Devices used may be in the form of rollers, stamps, or electronic "pens."
Utah Admin. Code R156-11a-102(22) · verified Sep 3, 2026
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