Is an exam required before a patient can be treated in Washington?
Intake · part of The Practice Perimeter
Washington writes out SEVEN things a physician must do before authorizing a nonsurgical medical cosmetic procedure, rather than naming a “good-faith exam”. The same seven attach whether the procedure is an injection or an energy device.
Drawn from 6 verified rules in this section · regulatory monitoring, not legal advice
- Wash. Admin. Code 246-919-606(5) · Sep 2, 2026
- Wash. Admin. Code 246-919-605(6) · Sep 2, 2026
- Wash. Admin. Code 246-919-606(11)(f) and (g) · Sep 2, 2026
- Wash. Admin. Code 246-919-606(6) and (7); 246-919-605(7) and (8) · Sep 2, 2026
- Wash. Rev. Code § 43.70.495(1)-(2) (Telemedicine training for health care professionals) · Sep 8, 2026
- Wash. Rev. Code § 18.71.030(6) (Exemptions — consultation through telemedicine) · Sep 8, 2026
Related Washington rules
Before authorizing a nonsurgical medical cosmetic procedure a physician must take a history, perform an appropriate physical examination, make an appropriate diagnosis, recommend appropriate treatment, obtain the patient’s informed consent, provide instructions for emergency and follow-up care, and prepare an appropriate medical record. All seven, before the procedure is authorized.
Wash. Admin. Code 246-919-606(5) · verified Sep 2, 2026
The same seven duties apply before treatment with an energy device, with one addition that is easy to miss: the informed consent must include informing the patient that a nonphysician may operate the device. The patient is entitled to know who will be holding it before they consent.
Wash. Admin. Code 246-919-605(6) · verified Sep 2, 2026
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Related Washington questions
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