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State rules · VA

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

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

3 official sources on 2 of 5 topics · 3 boards · 2 official lookup sites · checked Sep 14, 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 Virginia

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

Virginia Board of Medicine (Department of Health Professions)

Open the license lookupBoard’s website

Checked Sep 14, 2026

Nursing board

Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions)

Open the license lookupBoard’s website

Checked Sep 14, 2026

Cosmetology & esthetics board

Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation)

Open the license lookupBoard’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 Virginia

What official sources say in Virginia

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.

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.

We found official statements on 2 of 5 topics. Not located yet: who may inject botox and fillers; 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

Not found yet

We haven’t found an official statement on this for Virginia 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 will inject me, what license do they hold, and which clinician examined me, ordered this and supervises them?”

Check it with the board

“Who may inject botulinum toxin or dermal filler here — which licenses, after what exam or order, and under what supervision?”

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, and the nursing board for nurses.

On file for Virginia: Virginia Board of Medicine (Department of Health Professions), Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions).

Who may own a med spa

Not found yet

We haven’t found an official statement on this for Virginia 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 Virginia: Virginia Board of Medicine (Department of Health Professions).

Who may operate lasers and IPL

Official source found

Virginia's Board of Medicine rule says an MD or DO may delegate laser hair removal to a properly trained person under the doctor's direction and supervision. That means the doctor is readily available but need not be physically present, and must see and evaluate any patient with complications before treatment continues. Delegates other than licensed physician assistants or nurse practitioners must complete specified training, including at least 10 proctored patient cases.

Source: 18VAC85-20-91. Practice and supervision of laser hair removal

Law or regulationPublished or effective Aug 7, 2019Checked 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 Virginia 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 Virginia: Virginia Board of Medicine (Department of Health Professions), Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions).

What estheticians may do

Official source found

Virginia law defines esthetics as using cosmetic preparations or nonlaser devices on the skin, and says esthetics is not a healing art and does not include anything that is the practice of medicine. A master esthetician may also perform lymphatic drainage, chemical exfoliation (with products other than Schedule II-VI controlled substances) and microdermabrasion of the epidermis, without the use of laser technology.

Source: Code of Virginia § 54.1-700. Definitions

Law or regulationChecked Sep 14, 2026

For chemical exfoliation of the epidermis by a licensed master esthetician, the board's rules permit Jessner and modified Jessner solutions, trichloroacetic acid under 20%, nonprescriptive AHAs and BHAs, and certain other nonprescriptive products. Spas and schools must ensure no licensee or student performs services beyond the license's scope.

Source: 18VAC41-70-250. Scope of practice (Esthetics Regulations)

Law or regulationPublished or effective Dec 1, 2025Checked Sep 14, 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.

  1. 18VAC85-20-91. Practice and supervision of laser hair removalLaw or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026
  2. Code of Virginia § 54.1-700. DefinitionsLaw or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026
  3. 18VAC41-70-250. Scope of practice (Esthetics Regulations)Law or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026

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