Louisiana: who may do what, and how to check a license

A Louisiana State Board of Nursing declaratory statement says a trained RN may give Botox (or similar FDA-approved products) for cosmetic purposes when ordered by a qualified physician or collaborating nurse practitioner, but RN scope excludes all dermal fillers. The treatment must be preceded by a history and physical exam by the physician or NP, a diagnosis and informed consent, and must take place in a medical facility or office. The physician or NP must be physically present on the premises and immediately available whenever the RN is providing this care.

Source: Declaratory Statement: Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dermatological Procedures and Treatments Performed by Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

Board guidance — may not be bindingPublished or effective Mar 2, 2011Checked Sep 14, 2026

The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners says a physician's employment by a corporation other than a professional medical corporation is not unlawful in itself. But a corporate employer that controls how a physician provides medical services, or interferes with independent medical judgment, would be engaged in the unauthorized practice of medicine. Professional medical corporations must be owned and governed exclusively by physicians.

Source: Statement of Position: Corporate Practice of Medicine (Update)

Board guidance — may not be bindingPublished or effective Dec 2024Checked Sep 14, 2026

The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners' position is that using lasers or chemical skin treatments for surgical, therapeutic or cosmetic purposes is the practice of medicine. Only a physician may perform them, or a trained non-physician under the physician's direct supervision, with the physician physically present on the premises at all times. The non-physician may not act independently. Treatment must be preceded by a history, a physical exam by a physician, a diagnosis and informed consent. The statement says it applies equally to light sources, injection of substances, and soft tissue augmentation.

Source: Statement of Position: Use of Medical Lasers, Chemical Skin Treatments (Revised November 13, 2001)

Board guidance — may not be bindingPublished or effective Nov 13, 2001Checked Sep 14, 2026

The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners says diagnosing and recommending IV hydration therapy is the practice of medicine. A full in-person or telemedicine history and exam must be done by a physician or a PA, CRNP or CNM legally practicing with a physician. Standing orders directing IV administration are inappropriate and unlawful. RNs may carry out patient-specific orders from a physician who has done an appropriate pretreatment evaluation. Mixing additives into an IV bag is compounding.

Source: Statement of Position: Retail Intravenous (IV) Hydration Therapy

Board guidance — may not be bindingPublished or effective Aug 2024Checked Sep 14, 2026