Virginia takes the opposite approach to Ohio on laser supervision, and then adds a requirement almost no other state writes down.
Under Va. Code § 54.1-2973.1, laser hair removal may be performed by a properly trained physician, PA or advanced practice registered nurse, or by a properly trained person under the direction and supervision of a physician or PA. Direction and supervision means the doctor is readily available at the time — they are not required to be physically present. But the same provision requires the supervising doctor to see and evaluate a patient whose treatment has resulted in complications before laser hair removal treatment continues.
What Virginia actually requires
- A properly trained performer: a physician, a PA under § 54.1-2952, an APRN under § 54.1-2957, or a properly trained person under a physician’s or PA’s direction and supervision.
- Readily available supervision at the time treatment is given — reachable, not necessarily on site.
- A real mechanism for the complication rule: when a treatment causes a complication, the supervising doctor sees and evaluates that patient before treatment continues. That is a clinical appointment, not a phone note.
- A professional entity under § 13.1-543, organised for the sole and specific purpose of rendering the professional service, owned by individuals duly licensed or legally authorised to provide it.
- The Board of Medicine’s own regulations on laser hair removal at 18VAC85-20-91 and 18VAC85-50-191, read alongside the statute.
Who may do what in Virginia
| Licence | What they may do |
|---|---|
| MD or DO | Independent; supervises and must evaluate complications |
| Physician assistant | May perform under § 54.1-2952, and may supervise laser hair removal |
| Advanced practice registered nurse | May perform under § 54.1-2957 |
| Properly trained person | May perform laser hair removal under a physician’s or PA’s direction and supervision |
| Professional entity owner | Must be duly licensed or legally authorised — not physician-only; an authorised licensee may co-own |
Note the contrast worth planning around: Virginia says readily available, Ohio says in the same room. A single national supervision policy cannot satisfy both, which is exactly why we write them per state.
What MDside provides in Virginia
- A Virginia-licensed MD or DO as medical director, doing the work rather than lending a name.
- A documented complication pathway, because Virginia’s requirement to evaluate before continuing is the sort of obligation that only exists on paper until the day it does not.
- The professional entity and management agreement built to Virginia rather than to a national template.
- Licensed physicians for the good faith exams behind prescriptions and injectables.
- 503A and 503B pharmacy relationships and lab draws.
See what is included, or book a call and tell us which states you operate in.
Read the detail on Virginia
Frequently asked questions
Does a Virginia physician have to be on site for laser hair removal?
No. The standard is that the doctor is readily available at the time. Physical presence is not required.
What happens after a complication in Virginia?
The supervising doctor must see and evaluate the patient before laser hair removal treatment continues.
Who may own a Virginia professional corporation?
Individuals duly licensed or legally authorised to render the service. It is not limited to physicians — another authorised licensee may co-own — and the entity must be organised for the sole and specific purpose of rendering that service.
General information about Virginia practice structure and med spa regulation, not legal advice. Statutes, board rules and scope-of-practice requirements change. Confirm your obligations with healthcare counsel licensed in Virginia.