COSMETIC LASER PRACTITIONER Frequently Asked Questions

COSMETIC LASER PRACTITIONER

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am physician with an active Georgia license. Do I need a laser license?

2. Who requires a laser license?

Anyone who is not a physician with an active Georgia license that provides non-ablative cosmetic laser

services. If you are a PA with Board approved additional duties or an APRN with a protocol agreement that

includes performing cosmetic laser services AND you ARE NOT supervising an individual that requires an

Assistant Laser Practitioner license, you do not need a separate laser license. If you ARE SUPERVISING an

individual that requires an Assistant Laser Practitioner license, you need a Senior Laser Practitioner license.

3. Which lasers are covered?

Laser hair removal devices, intense pulsed light devices, and non-ablative light based devices.

What are the qualifications and requirements for licensure?

a. Assistant Laser Practitioner

i. Holds a current active license as a PA, LPN, RN, APRN, esthetician, or master

cosmetologist; or has previously held a license as a RN, APRN, PA, or physician

ii. Has 3 valid laser training certificates (see #6)

iii. Assistant Laser Practitioners can only treat patients under the supervision of a physician

or Senior Laser Practitioner

b. Senior Laser Practitioner

i. Holds a current active license as a RN, APRN, or PA; or has previously held a license as an

RN, APRN, PA or physician. The applicant must have three (3) years experience.

ii. Has at least 3 years of clinical or medical technological experience. Clinical rotations in

medical, nursing, or PA school would not satisfy this requirement.

iii. Has 2 valid laser training certificates (see #5)

You may not upgrade from an Assistant Laser Practitioner to a Senior Laser Practitioner without a license as a

RN, APRN or PA.

5. What laser certificates are approved for licensure?

Certificates should be from courses in the area of cosmetic laser services, equipment safety and

operation, procedures, and relative skin modalities, directly taught by a licensed physician or ACCME

certified continuing medical education or continuing education educator.

6. Do I have to submit an application and pay the fee to obtain the license? Can I apply without the fee and then

submit once approved?

Only complete applications which include all necessary supporting materials and the fee will be

considered. Applications received without the fee will not be processed.

7. I have a laser license in another state. Is this valid in Georgia?

No. You will still need to apply for a Georgia license.

8. Which patients need to be examined prior to cosmetic laser treatment? Who can do this exam?

Patients receiving laser hair removal or intense pulsed light services do not need to be examined prior to

treatment. All other patients receiving cosmetic laser treatments must be examined prior to treatment

by a Georgia licensed physician, or a PA or APRN with delegated authority to perform the exam.

According to the law, a RN does not qualify to do this exam.

9. Does the owner of a laser facility need a license?

You do not require a laser license if you are not personally operating a laser.

10. Is the physician legally responsible for treatments performed by a senior laser practitioner or assistant

laser practitioner?

Check with your attorney or your malpractice insurance provider.

11. I am an assistant laser practitioner. When do I need direct on-site supervision from a senior laser

practitioner or physician? When do I NOT require direct on site supervision?

You do not require direct on site supervision when performing laser hair removal or IPL treatment.

Performance of any other light based cosmetic laser procedure requires direct on site supervision.

12. How many continuing education hours do I need to renew my license?

For your first renewal you will not need any continuing education hours, but for any subsequent renewals

you will need five (5) hours to renew.

(a) Assistant and senior laser practitioners can obtain laser continuing education credit for courses from

the following:

1. Courses approved for Category I credit by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical

Education (ACCME).

2. Courses approved for Category I Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit by AAPA, AMA,

AOA, and NCCPA.

3. Laser courses approved by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology.

4. Laser courses approved for Category I credit by Medical Association of Georgia (MAG).

5. Laser courses approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing

6. Courses sponsored by the Georgia Composite Medical Board.

7. Courses taught by a licensed physician specific to laser practice and safety

Updated 10/8/2015 LH