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State rules · WA

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

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

5 official sources on 3 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 Washington

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

Washington Medical Commission

Open the license lookupBoard’s website

Checked Sep 14, 2026

Nursing board

Washington State Board of Nursing

Open the license lookupBoard’s website

Checked Sep 14, 2026

Cosmetology & esthetics board

Washington State Department of Licensing (cosmetology, hair design, barbering, esthetics and manicuring)

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

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 Washington

What official sources say in Washington

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 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

Before authorizing a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure such as a cosmetic injection, a Washington physician must take a history, examine and diagnose the patient, recommend treatment and get informed consent. The physician may delegate to a properly trained PA, RN or LPN under a written protocol. For FDA-approved substances used as approved, the physician need not be on-site but must be reachable by phone and able to respond within 30 minutes; for unapproved or off-label uses, the physician must be on-site for the whole procedure.

Source: WAC 246-919-606 Nonsurgical medical cosmetic procedures

Law or regulationPublished or effective Nov 21, 2020Checked Sep 14, 2026

The Washington State Board of Nursing's advisory opinion says RNs may do medical, aesthetic or cosmetic dermatological procedures under the direction of an authorized health care practitioner, and LPNs only under direction and supervision in routine situations. Neither RNs nor LPNs may diagnose, decide medical treatment or prescribe.

Source: Medical, Aesthetic, and Cosmetic Dermatological Procedures Advisory Opinion

Board guidance — may not be bindingPublished or effective Sep 12, 2025Checked 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 Washington 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 Washington: Washington Medical Commission.

Who may operate lasers and IPL

Official source found

Using prescription laser, light (including IPL), radiofrequency or plasma devices on the skin is the practice of medicine in Washington. A physician must take a history, examine and diagnose the patient before authorizing treatment, and may delegate only to a trained licensed professional whose scope allows it, under a written protocol. The physician must be on the premises during the patient's first treatment.

Source: WAC 246-919-605 Use of laser, light, radiofrequency, and plasma devices as applied to the skin

Law or regulationPublished or effective Nov 21, 2020Checked 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 Washington 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 Washington: Washington Medical Commission, Washington State Board of Nursing.

What estheticians may do

Official source found

Washington law defines esthetics as skin care that may include superficial and light peels and devices other than lasers, and states it never includes injections.

Source: RCW 18.16.020 Definitions (practice of esthetics)

Law or regulationChecked Sep 14, 2026

Master estheticians may also do medium-depth peels and use medical devices for skin care and permanent hair reduction, including lasers, IPL, radio frequency and ultrasound, but must follow any law requiring delegation or supervision by a licensed health professional.

Source: RCW 18.16.020 Definitions (practice of master esthetics)

Law or regulationChecked 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. WAC 246-919-606 Nonsurgical medical cosmetic proceduresLaw or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026
  2. Medical, Aesthetic, and Cosmetic Dermatological Procedures Advisory OpinionBoard guidance — may not be binding · checked Sep 14, 2026
  3. WAC 246-919-605 Use of laser, light, radiofrequency, and plasma devices as applied to the skinLaw or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026
  4. RCW 18.16.020 Definitions (practice of esthetics)Law or regulation · checked Sep 14, 2026

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