Can a nurse, investor, or non-physician own a medical spa in District of Columbia?

Non-physicians may own via MSO/management structure with physician oversight Lenient; MSO/management structures permitted

District of Columbia · Moderate

Can a Non-Physician Own a Med Spa in District of Columbia?

Med-spa ownership in District of Columbia is governed by the Corporate Practice of Medicine doctrine and the state's ownership rules. Get this wrong and the whole structure can be unlawful — here's where District of Columbia lands.

By Evan at Inside MedSpa

Ownership rules

Non-physicians may own via MSO/management structure with physician oversight

Corporate Practice of Medicine

Lenient; MSO/management structures permitted

The medical-director angle

Required for medical spa operations Ownership and the medical-director requirement are usually two sides of the same compliance coin.

What to verify in District of Columbia

Verify medical director credentials and ensure physician supervision protocols are documented.

Primary source: D.C. Board of Medicine

General business information for District of Columbia medical-spa owners, current as of 2026 — not legal advice. State boards update rules often; confirm specifics with the District of Columbia board (and your own counsel) before you act.

See the full District of Columbia regulation profile →

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