West Virginia defines the use of lasers, pulsed light and radiofrequency devices on people as surgery, so laser hair removal, intense pulsed light, body contouring and injectables are medical services: performed by a physician, or by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant under a physician’s delegation and written protocols, and never by a cosmetology or aesthetics licensee. The Board’s policy keeps procedures that can injure the eye with physicians. The medical side of the business belongs to a licensed practitioner.
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 West Virginia Board of Medicine.
Sources and dates
West Virginia Code 30-3-4 (practice of medicine and surgery, which includes lasers, pulsed light and radiofrequency devices); Board of Medicine public policy statement on laser, pulsed light and radiofrequency surgery. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
Yes. West Virginia defines the use of lasers, pulsed light and radiofrequency devices on people as surgery, so laser hair removal, intense pulsed light, body contouring and injectables are medical services: performed by a physician, or by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant under a physician’s delegation and written protocols, and never by a cosmetology or aesthetics licensee.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
No. In West Virginia it is listed for med spas.
West Virginia Board of Medicine.
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 physician delegation of laser in West Virginia?
