SUBCHAPTER 06W - SUPERVISION

21 NCAC 06W .0101        SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN

(a)  Supervision by Physician – It is the licensed laser practitioner's responsibility to perform procedures solely within his or her professional scope of practice. A laser hair practitioner licensed under this Chapter shall perform laser hair removal only under the supervision of a physician licensed by the State of North Carolina to perform surgical services. The laser hair practitioner shall receive physician supervision before the initial laser treatment procedure. The laser hair practitioner shall perform services only after a physician or other practitioner licensed by the NC Medical Board (NCMB) under G.S. 1, Article 90 has examined the patient. This examination shall include a medical history and focused physical examination of the patient's skin condition to identify abnormalities that might be altered after exposure to a laser beam. The laser hair practitioner shall ensure that the supervising physician is readily available during services in accordance with G.S. 88A-11.1(c) so that the supervising physician is able to respond to patient emergencies and questions by the laser practitioner.

(b)  Supervisory Agreement – A laser hair practitioner shall not operate any laser equipment without a signed Supervisory Agreement in accordance with 21 NCAC 06U .0102 in place and on file with the Board. The Supervisory Agreement shall include the following elements:

(1)           the supervising physician's name, business address, business telephone number, NCMB license number, and medical specialty;

(2)           an attestation that the supervising physician is licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina and plans to maintain licensure during the timeframe of the agreement;

(3)           a list of devices, makes, and models being used by the laser hair practitioner;

(4)           an attestation that the supervising physician is knowledgeable in the use of the listed devices;

(5)           an attestation that the supervising physician ensures the laser hair practitioner has training to perform laser hair reduction with the listed devices;

(6)           an attestation that the supervising physician will provide personal and responsible direction to the laser hair practitioner;

(7)           an attestation that the supervising physician will be available and able to respond to patient emergencies and to questions by the laser hair practitioner under supervision;

(8)           the geographical distance between the supervising physician and the laser hair practitioner;

(9)           an attestation that the supervising physician will ensure that patient contact, evaluation, and education have been provided for the prescription medications that are related to laser hair reduction, both before and after treatment; and

(10)         a provision for biannual renewal of the Supervisory Agreement, with a copy provided to the Board.

(c)  A laser hair practitioner shall notify the Board within 30 days of the termination of the Supervisory Agreement with the supervising physician.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 88A-11.1;

Eff. October 1, 2010;

Amended Eff. October 1, 2015;

Readopted Eff. June 15, 2020;

Recodified from 21 NCAC 19 .0501 Eff. January 1, 2023.