Scope of Practice
Who Can Legally Perform Aesthetic Treatments in Rhode Island?
Which license types can legally perform each treatment in Rhode Island, with the conditions — sourced from official state boards.
Last reviewed June 2026
Neurotoxin injections (Botox / Dysport) in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Master Esthetician
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Dermal filler injections in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Master Esthetician
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Weight-loss injections (semaglutide / tirzepatide) in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Master Esthetician
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) injections in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Master Esthetician
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
PRP / PRF ("vampire facial") in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Master Esthetician
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Laser hair removal in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Permitted under general physician supervision — a physician is available (e.g., by phone) but need not be present. Requires a physician to be available but not on-site.
Master Esthetician
Permitted for this license type.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Laser skin resurfacing in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Master Esthetician
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Not permitted for this license type in this state. Unclear, assume no unless you can verify with state data.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
IPL / photofacial in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Permitted under general physician supervision — a physician is available (e.g., by phone) but need not be present. Requires a physician to be available but not on-site.
Master Esthetician
Permitted for this license type.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
RF microneedling (e.g. Morpheus8) in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Master Esthetician
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Microneedling in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Permitted under general physician supervision — a physician is available (e.g., by phone) but need not be present. Requires a physician to be available but not on-site.
Master Esthetician
Permitted for this license type.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Chemical peels in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Permitted under general physician supervision — a physician is available (e.g., by phone) but need not be present. Requires a physician to be available but not on-site.
Master Esthetician
Permitted for this license type.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Dermaplaning in Rhode Island
Details →Esthetician (LE)
Permitted independently — no physician oversight required (full practice authority). Unclear, assume no unless you can verify with state data.
Master Esthetician
Permitted for this license type.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Permitted when delegated by, and performed under the authority of, a licensed physician. Performed under a physician’s delegation/orders and authority.
Nurse Practitioner (NP/APRN)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Permitted under a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The physician does not need to be on-site. Requires a written protocol or collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician (MD/DO)
Permitted for this license type.
Med-Spa Rules in Rhode Island
Does this state require a physician medical director for a med spa?
Permitted
Is a good-faith exam (by a physician, NP, or PA) required before treatment?
ConditionalA good-faith exam is required before treatment by a physician, NP, or PA.
Do nurse practitioners have full (independent) practice authority in this state?
ConditionalNurse practitioners have full practice authority but must adhere to specific regulations.
May a physician delegate cosmetic injections to qualified staff (e.g., RN) under supervision?
ConditionalA physician may delegate cosmetic injections to qualified staff under supervision.
Can a non-physician legally own a medical spa in this state? (corporate practice of medicine)
Not permitted
Looking for a qualified provider in Rhode Island?
Every provider on Elite Aesthetics Guide is independently evaluated, and many are credential-verified.
Find providers in Rhode Island →Sources
Elite Aesthetics Guide provides consumer information to help you find and vet qualified providers. This is general information, not medical or legal advice, and regulations change — always confirm with the official state board. Consult a licensed provider for any treatment decision.