Technical Correction: MedSpa Standards

QUAD A has approved a Technical Correction to its  Non-Surgical Aesthetic & Wellness (MedSpa) Accreditation Program Standards to align with scope-of-practice laws that allow certain nonphysician practitioners to independently practice and take on the role of Medical Director.

Background

QUAD A’s current MedSpa standards designate a “Medical Director” as a physician responsible for facility oversight, safety, and compliance. However, numerous jurisdictions authorize certain nonphysician practitioners to independently practice and assume clinical leadership responsibilities. QUAD A’s Board recognizes that strict adherence to physician-only leadership may conflict with scope-of=practice law and impose unnecessary barriers without improving safety outcomes.

Accordingly, the Board has approved a revision to align leadership requirements with independent practice regulations while maintaining QUAD A’s rigorous safety and competency expectations.

Eligibility for MedSpa Director Role

 A facility may designate as its Director (listed in the manual as “Medical Director”) any licensed practitioner the law authorizes to independently practice and assume clinical and facility leadership responsibilities, within their scope of practice, where the MedSpa operates. If the law does not specify who may function as the “medical director”, the role must be filled by a licensed physician in the state where the MedSpa operates. This may include Physicians, Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Physician Assistants (PAs), or other advanced practice providers explicitly permitted under the law, scope of practice, and supported by documentation.    

Responsibilities

Regardless of credential type, the Director must meet all existing QUAD A responsibility requirements, including but not limited to oversight; risk management; scope of practice limits; staff training, competency, and qualifications; emergency preparedness and equipment availability; policies, procedures, and quality improvement.  

Revised Manuals

The language in the current Non-Surgical Aesthetic & Wellness (MedSpa) Manuals, which specifically uses “Medical Director,” is currently being updated. Once these updates have completed our full approval process, a new version of the manual will be released. This Technical Correction Report supersedes the information in the Non-Surgical Aesthetic & Wellness (MedSpa) Manual until a new manual that includes the changes is made available. Review the latest Standards Manual, including this Technical correction at the link below:

Thank you for your continued dedication to safety and excellence.

Should you have any questions, please email them to standards@quada.org.

Since 1980, QUAD A (a non-profit, physician-founded and led global accreditation organization) has worked with thousands of healthcare facilities to standardize and improve the quality of healthcare they provide – believing that patient safety should always come first.