Medical aesthetic treatments require a physician connection
Services like injectables, prescription-strength treatments, and certain device-based procedures are legally medical procedures in Georgia. A med spa offering them needs a supervising or delegating physician connected to the practice — the Georgia Composite Medical Board oversees physician licensing and the delegation framework that makes this possible.
Exactly which treatments require physician delegation, and what level of supervision each requires, depends on the specific procedure. Don't assume based on what's common practice or what other states allow — confirm your exact service list against current Georgia Composite Medical Board rules.
Delegation agreements
Where medical staff (such as physician assistants or nurse practitioners) perform delegated medical aesthetic procedures, a delegation agreement between the delegating physician and that staff member is generally required, along with a designated medical director — a Georgia-licensed physician in good standing.
Nonablative laser services are treated differently
Not every laser-adjacent treatment requires this physician delegation structure. Georgia specifically classifies nonablative cosmetic laser and light-based hair removal/photorejuvenation as not constituting the practice of medicine, handled instead through a separate Cosmetic Laser Practitioner license — see our Georgia Cosmetic Laser Practitioner Guide for that distinct framework.
Because the regulatory line between "medical" and "non-medical" aesthetic services is treatment-specific rather than business-type-specific, build your service menu around confirmed classifications rather than assumptions — a single misclassified service can create real regulatory exposure for the whole practice.
Advertising compliance
Medical aesthetic advertising is subject to both general FTC truth-in-advertising rules and any medical-board-specific advertising requirements — see our Med Spa Advertising Compliance guide for more detail.
Starting a med spa
If you're planning to open rather than operate within an existing structure, see our comprehensive How to Start a Med Spa in Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-physician own a med spa in Georgia? Business ownership and the clinical delegation structure are separate questions — many med spas are owned by non-physicians who partner with a supervising or delegating physician for the clinical/regulatory side. Confirm your specific ownership and management structure against current rules, as corporate practice of medicine considerations can apply.
Does every med spa need a physician physically on-site at all times? Requirements vary by the specific procedure and delegation arrangement — some services require on-site supervision, others allow off-site delegation under specific conditions. Confirm your exact service list with the board rather than assuming a single answer applies to every treatment.
