Are you a medical professional, such as a nurse, and wondering if you can open a medical spa in California? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Corporate practice of medicine is not allowed in the state, and only doctors can own and operate a doctor's office, corporation, or business. The physician must be the practice owner or an employee of the medical corporation or company (which is also owned by licensed physicians). It is not possible to “rent a license” (hiring a doctor, be it a doctor, an osteopathic doctor, or a naturopathic doctor) or otherwise violate the provisions of corporate practice of medicine.
Non-doctors, like nurses, cannot have any stake in the ownership of a medical business. When opening a medical spa or healthcare office, it is important to consider who can do what. Medical professionals operating outside their scope of practice can lead to lawsuits, problems with your state's regulatory authorities, and damage the reputation of your business. Therefore, if you are a nurse practitioner and want to open a medspa in California, you must have a doctor associated with the business.
The physician must be the practice owner or an employee of the medical corporation or company.
