Laser hair removal, intense pulsed light, injectables and other medical aesthetic services are the practice of medicine. A medical spa needs a physician medical director who stays within 60 miles, supervises on site each week and reviews charts, and who may delegate only to licensed nurses, physician assistants and other licensed professionals or to a qualified laser technician trained to the rule’s 40 didactic and 80 clinical hours. A laser technician may do nothing but laser work, and a cosmetology licensee may not perform these services.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Iowa Board of Medicine (653 IAC 13.8).
Sources and dates
Board of Medicine rule 653 IAC 13.8 (standards of practice: medical directors at medical spas); ARC 4247C. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
Yes. Laser hair removal, intense pulsed light, injectables and other medical aesthetic services are the practice of medicine.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
No. In Iowa it is listed for med spas.
Iowa Board of Medicine (653 IAC 13.8).
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a medical director in Iowa? | DoorWorthy
