Botox Laws by State 2024

Botox (botulinum toxin) is a popular injection for both cosmetic and medical procedures. Because Botox temporarily weakens or paralyzes muscles or blocks certain nerves, it can smooth facial wrinkles, help with chronic migraines, and fix severer underarm sweating, among other uses. Its usage is controversial, but when used by trained professionals, it can treat various health issues and make a difference in people’s lives.

Federal Laws Regarding Botox

Many laws vary from state to state regarding who can administer Botox injections and what are allowable injection sites. For example, Botox is an FDA-approved method of injection that serves different purposes. While it has been romanticized and idealized by the media as a cosmetic approach to fuller features, such as dimples and chin, Botox injections can also medically help some patients with their quality of life.

Laws regarding Botox on a federal level limit who can administer them so that only medical professionals can conduct this procedure. This means that licensed aestheticians usually cannot perform Botox injections, even if the purpose is purely cosmetic.

At a state level, Botox is usually regulated for such issues as dermal fillers. Each state has a different approach from its dental board regarding injecting dental botox. Arkansas, Alabama, and Maryland have the most guidance on the laws regarding Botox injections.

Arkansas

A prescription is required to obtain Botox and fillers because significant complications can occur with their injections. The performance of aesthetic procedures is within the scope of practice of a trained advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or registered nurse (RN) as part of a medically prescribed plan of care for the treatment of various dermatological conditions or as a part of a health maintenance and health promotion regime.

Alabama

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners issued an opinion stating that procedures involving Botox, Restylane, Collagen, and Mesotherapy are be the practice of medicine and, as such, each procedure must be performed by a licensed physician.

Maryland

Many cosmetic procedures, including Botox filler, are now recognized as a practice of medicine and can only be performed, in most cases, by a trained physician. That training must be approved by the American Medical Association. In addition, only licensed doctors and physicians can prescribe botulinum toxin.

Botox Laws by State 2024

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State
Certifications Required
Notes
AlabamaLicensed Physicians
the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners issued an opinion stating that procedures involving Botox, Re...
AlaskaAesthetic nurses or nurse injectors
Aesthetic nurses, or nurse injectors, administer BOTOX and cosmetic filler injections to their patie...
ArizonaRegistered nurses may perform botox with the supervision of a doctor.
Registered Nurse may inject Botox as long as they have a medical director. As a Registered Nurse doe...
ArkansasAdvanced Practiced Registered Nurse and Registered Nurses
A prescription is required to obtain Botox and fillers and significant complications can occur with ...
CaliforniaOral Surgeons
California-licensed general dentists are not permitted to offer Botox and dermal filler injections t...
ColoradoMediacal Aestheticians and Registered nurses with the supervision of a Licensed Physician or Nurse Practitioner Medical Director
This varies by state but in Colorado, a Medical Aesthetician or RN can inject under the direct super...
ConnecticutLicensed health care provider within his/her scope of practice
By law, cosmetic procedures, including botox administration, must be performed (1) in a medical spa ...
DelawareRegistered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses
It is within scope of practice for licensed nurses (RN and LPN) to perform cosmetic/aesthetic dermat...
FloridaUnregulated
According to the Florida Board of Medicine there are no laws or rules that directly address who may ...
GeorgiaGeneral Dentists
The American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) Level I course is the first board approved courses i...
HawaiiLicensed Physicians, physician assistants
According to the Hawaii Board of Medical Examiners, both physicians and physician assistants can per...
IdahoLicensed Physicians
Under Idaho law any doctor can do cosmetic services in his/her primary care practice; no specialized...
IllinoisRegistered Nurses
RNs may administer Botox in Illinois as long as certain regulatory requirements are met. Any use of ...
IndianaAny Licensed Physician or Nurse Practitioner
Any physician or nurse practitioner (NP) can provide Botox and filler injection treatments, regardle...
IowaLicensed Physicians
In Iowa, medical aesthetic services are generally provided in medical spas, overseen by medical dire...
KansasOnly medical practitioners who hold an MD, DO, DDS, DMD, NP, and nurses under the supervision of a Licensed Physicians
KentuckyLicensed estheticians with the supervision of a Licensed Physician
Licensed estheticians may only administer BOTOX under a physician's "immediate supervision." Therefo...
LouisianaLicensed practical nurses
Perform "head to toe" physical assessments. The administration of botox, for cosmetic purposes only,...
MaineLicensed physicians, physician assistants, and nurses
Licensed physicians, physician assistants and nurses are able to administer Botox and fillers inject...
MarylandTrained Licensed Physicians
Many cosmetic procedures, including Botox filler, are now recognized as a practice of medicine and c...
MassachusettsLicensed medical professionals, such as RN, PA, LPN, MD, and NP
MichiganLicensed Physicians
Currently, the administration of Botox and dermal filler must be either: (1) performed by a physicia...
MinnesotaLicensed Physicians
Botox is not an over-the-counter medication. It can only be ordered by a physician with a DEA licens...
MississippiPAs, RNs, NPs, or electrologists with the supervision of a Licensed Physician
The state is also not restrictive in terms of the requirements needed to perform procedures. As long...
MissouriMedical practitioners who hold an MD, DO, DDS, DMD, NP, and nurses under the supervision of a physician
MontanaLicensed Physicians
The state also doesn’t have any strict rules regarding the requirements to perform the treatments as...
NebraskaLicensed Physicians
According to their law, any doctor can perform Botox and soft tissue fillers without any specialized...
NevadaLicensed Physicians, PAs, properly trained dentists, RNs, ARNPs, and podiatric physicians
Under NRS 454 and 629.086, the state only allows Botox and filler injections to be done by licensed ...
New HampshirePAs, RNs, and NPs
New JerseyLicensed Physicians
The state clearly provides that aestheticians aren’t allowed to perform these procedures and should ...
New MexicoUnregulated
New YorkAll procedure performers must have a valid state license and higher education training
It’s a must that all individuals performing the procedures should have an active state license and h...
North CarolinaLicensed Physicians, PAs, NPs, and Nurses
Physicians, PAs, NPs, and Nurses are legally able to inject in North Carolina
North DakotaLicensed Physicians
Cosmetic procedures like Botox, dermal fillers, and lasers should also only be done by a licensed ph...
OhioPAs, RNs, and NPs
The law also states that injectables can be given by PAs, RNs, and NPs
OklahomaLicensed Physicians
A licensed physician is the only one allowed to perform the medical services.
OregonThere’s no specialized background required for performing injectables
PennsylvaniaAll procedure performers must have a valid state license and higher education training
The state also requires that all individuals performing procedures should have training from a highe...
Rhode IslandRNs, PAs, LPNs, and Dentists.
RN's and Physician Assistants are legally allowed to administer Botox injections as well as LPN's an...
South CarolinaLicensed Physicians
A licensed physician can perform procedures that are within the scope of their education and trainin...
South DakotaPA, NP, and RN with Licensed Physician's supervision
TennesseeQualified medical professional in sanitary conditions
Tennessee law does not specifically address Botox parties so the law does not prohibit Botox parties...
TexasLicensed medical professionals
Texas Botox Certification Requirements state that, you must be a licensed medical professional to in...
UtahLicensed Physicians
The Utah state law clearly defines medical treatments as any procedure involving Botox, light and he...
VermontLicensed medical professionals
Anyone can form and own a medical spa practice in Vermont, however, not any practitioner can perform...
VirginiaLicensed Physicians and practitioners
Any doctor or practitioner can perform cosmetic injectables, however RNs and medical assistants can’...
WashingtonLicensed Physicians
A physician must be fully and appropriately trained in a nonsurgical medical cosmetic procedure prio...
West VirginiaLicensed Physicians
The right to perform procedures is given to any licensed doctor with an appropriate background in ae...
WisconsinAny Licensed Physicians and nurse practitioners
Common procedures such as Botox and cosmetic fillers can be performed by any doctor or PAs and NPs.
WyomingAny Licensed Physicians and nurse practitioners
The state doesn’t restrict the corporate practice of medicine so doctors can be employed to provide ...
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Botox Laws by State 2024

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