In recent years, the medical spa industry has seen a surge in popularity, with many enterprising nurses taking advantage of the favorable state scope of practice laws to open their own businesses. But can a nurse practitioner (NP) open a medical spa in Florida? The answer is yes, as long as they are present on-site. However, they cannot supervise a medical spa from off-site, even if they have a physician assistant (PA) at the medical spa. The scope of practice for medical professionals is highly regulated, so it's important to understand the legal rules before opening a medical spa.
The medical professional in charge of supervising the operations must have appropriate training and experience. In October, the Board of Nursing promulgated rules and submitted an application for NPs seeking to practice autonomously. Unlike many states, Florida allows not only doctors or medical professionals to own medical spas, but also business professionals or entrepreneurs who don't necessarily have experience in medicine or business. It's essential that you and your staff are properly trained in the administration of cosmetic procedures before you open the doors of your MedSpa.
The Self-Practice Act removes restrictions on certain nurse practitioners, granting them the ability to practice in primary care practice settings without worrying about supervisory restrictions. Moreover, assuming they meet the membership criteria for admission to a health facility's medical staff, they can admit patients, manage patient care, and discharge patients. The Department of Health is the main regulatory body governing many of these issues, but unfortunately it deals with limited and unclear laws and regulations in the medical spa industry. Misunderstandings are common and patients often receive treatment from people who are not supposed to provide it.
Medical spa owners need to remain aware of the ever-changing regulatory landscape, including how regulations are enforced and how governing bodies seek to affect the medical spa industry. In conclusion, nurse practitioners can open a medical spa in Florida as long as they are present on-site and have appropriate training and experience. It's important to understand the legal rules before opening a medical spa and remain aware of the ever-changing regulatory landscape.
