State rules · MD

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

License lookups for the boards that cover spa and med spa treatments in Maryland, and what official sources say on five questions — each with its source and the date we checked.

4 official sources on 3 of 5 topics · 3 boards · 3 official lookup sites · checked Sep 25, 2026

These are research summaries of official sources, checked on the dates shown. They are not legal advice, rules change, and the linked source controls. City and other municipal rules, including a local business license or zoning, can also apply. This page is the state board only. Confirm with the board.

How to check a license in Maryland

Ask the person treating you for their license type and number, then search the board that issued it. A title like “injector” or “specialist” isn’t a license type, so a board lookup won’t list it.

Medical board

Maryland Board of Physicians

Open the license lookup Board’s website

Checked Sep 14, 2026

Nursing board

Maryland Board of Nursing

Official lookup (opens the board’s site)Board’s website

When we checked on Sep 14, 2026, we couldn’t fully confirm this lookup — a page blocked our check or didn’t fully load. It may work fine; the board’s own site is where to confirm.

Checked Sep 14, 2026

Cosmetology & esthetics board

Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing)

Open the license lookup Board’s website

Checked Sep 14, 2026

What to look for on the lookup

The name matches. The person treating you, spelled the way they gave it. Ask for any other name they’ve been licensed under.
The license type matches what you were told. RN and LPN are different licenses, as are physician and physician assistant, or esthetician and cosmetologist.
The status says active. Note words like expired, lapsed, inactive, suspended, restricted or probation — and what they apply to.
The expiration date hasn’t passed. Some lookups show it; some only show status. If neither is clear, the board can confirm.
Any public discipline or board orders. If the lookup lists actions, orders or conditions, open them and read what they say.

Every board’s lookup looks a little different. If something is unclear, contact the board.

Match a claimed credential to the right board in Maryland

What official sources say in Maryland

Where we found an official statement, you’ll see our plain summary, the source, how binding that kind of source is, and when we checked. Where we didn’t, you’ll see the question to ask the place instead.

We found official statements on 3 of 5 topics. Not located yet: who may own a med spa; iv hydration and drips. Not located means we have nothing official to show you — it says nothing about what is allowed.

Who may inject Botox and fillers

Official source found

Under Maryland Board of Physicians rules, cosmetic medical procedures (which include injections of medical products into the skin or muscle) may be delegated to a physician assistant or assigned to another health care provider licensed under the Health Occupations Article, but only if that provider's own licensing board has determined the procedure is within their scope. The chapter does not authorize delegation to anyone who is not so licensed.

Source: COMAR 10.32.09.04, Qualifications of Individual to Whom Acts May Be Delegated and Assigned

Law or regulationPublished or effective Aug 23, 2010Checked Sep 14, 2026

A physician who delegates or assigns cosmetic medical procedures must personally perform each patient's initial assessment, prepare a written treatment plan, obtain informed consent, and provide on-site supervision (present at the site and able to respond in person) whenever a non-physician performs them. The exception is a board-approved PA delegation agreement, which may allow immediately available supervision after the physician has evaluated the patient.

Source: COMAR 10.32.09.05, Physician Responsibilities

Law or regulationPublished or effective Aug 23, 2010Checked Sep 14, 2026

Still ask the place: “Who will inject me, what license do they hold, and which clinician examined me, ordered this and supervises them?”

Who may own a med spa

Not found yet

We haven’t found an official statement on this for Maryland yet.

That doesn’t tell you whether something is allowed or not — only that we have no official statement to show you.

Ask the place

“Who owns this practice, and who is its medical director?”

Check it with the board

“Must a practice offering medical aesthetic services be owned by, or employ, a licensed physician — and must it name a medical director?”

Put this to the board, or search its rules and position statements for it. Its answer, with a date, is what settles it — not the place’s.

Who decides

Usually the medical board, sometimes alongside state health or business law.

On file for Maryland: Maryland Board of Physicians.

Who may operate lasers and IPL

Official source found

Maryland's cosmetic delegation rules define lasers and devices emitting light or intense pulsed light, when used for cosmetic purposes, as cosmetic medical devices, and skin treatments using them as cosmetic medical procedures. They are subject to the same delegation limits, physician initial assessment and on-site supervision requirements.

Source: COMAR 10.32.09.02, Definitions

Law or regulationPublished or effective Dec 31, 2018Checked Sep 14, 2026

Still ask the place: “Who operates the laser or IPL device, what license or certification do they hold, and who supervises them?”

IV hydration and drips

Not found yet

We haven’t found an official statement on this for Maryland yet.

That doesn’t tell you whether something is allowed or not — only that we have no official statement to show you.

Ask the place

“Who assesses me and orders what goes in the bag, and who places the IV — under which license?”

Check it with the board

“Who may order elective IV hydration or vitamin infusions, who may start and monitor the IV, and is a standing order allowed?”

Put this to the board, or search its rules and position statements for it. Its answer, with a date, is what settles it — not the place’s.

Who decides

Usually the nursing and medical boards; sometimes the pharmacy board.

On file for Maryland: Maryland Board of Physicians, Maryland Board of Nursing.

What estheticians may do

Official source found

Maryland Board of Cosmetologists guidance lists microneedling of 1.0 mm or less and superficial chemical peels limited to the epidermis as within a limited esthetician’s scope. It lists Botox, fillers and injectables, laser hair removal and IPL, medical-grade peels beyond the epidermis, and IV therapy or injectable vitamins as outside that scope, and says any service penetrating beyond the epidermis is not permitted without an appropriate health occupation license.

Source: Limited Esthetician Scope of Practice Guidance (Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists)

Board guidance — may not be bindingPublished or effective 2026Checked Sep 25, 2026

Still ask the place: “What license does the person doing this hold, and does that license cover this treatment?”

Sources

The official documents above, once each. Rules change; the linked source controls, and the date is when we last opened it.

COMAR 10.32.09.04, Qualifications of Individual to Whom Acts May Be Delegated and AssignedLaw or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026
COMAR 10.32.09.05, Physician ResponsibilitiesLaw or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026
COMAR 10.32.09.02, DefinitionsLaw or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026
Limited Esthetician Scope of Practice Guidance (Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists)Board guidance — may not be binding · checked Sep 25, 2026

Treatment guides

What the menu name doesn’t tell you, and what to ask before you book.

All treatments

Check a place in Maryland