How to Choose a
Safe Medical Spa
Before you book any aesthetic treatment, know what to look for and what questions to ask. This guide explains what medspa credentials mean and how to verify them yourself.
Why Credentials Matter
Medical spas perform procedures that carry real medical risk: injectables like Botox and fillers, laser treatments, chemical peels, and more. Unlike hospitals and doctor's offices, medspas exist in a regulatory gray area in most states. This means:
- ⚠Anyone can open a "medspa" in many states, regardless of medical training
- ⚠The person doing your injections may not be a nurse, PA, or doctor
- ⚠Some medspas operate without a medical director, which is illegal in most states
- ⚠Complications from unqualified injectors can cause permanent damage
The good news: You can check all of this before you book. Here's how.
The Four Credentials to Check
State Medical License
Required in every state
A medical license means the provider has completed medical education, passed licensing exams, and is authorized by the state to practice medicine. An active license means it hasn't been suspended, revoked, or expired.
How to check it yourself:
Search the provider's name at FSMB DocInfo or your state medical board website. Look for “Active” status and check for any disciplinary actions.
Medical Director (MD/DO)
Legally required in most states
A medical director is a licensed physician (MD or DO) who oversees the medspa's clinical operations. They are responsible for ensuring treatments are performed safely, protocols are followed, and non-physician staff are properly supervised.
Red flag: If a medspa can't tell you who their medical director is, or if the medical director is “remote” and never visits the clinic, proceed with caution.
Malpractice Insurance
Protects you if something goes wrong
Malpractice insurance (also called professional liability insurance) protects patients financially if a procedure causes harm. A Certificate of Insurance (COI) proves the clinic carries current coverage. Without it, you may have no recourse if complications arise.
Ask the clinic:
“Do you carry malpractice insurance? Can I see a copy of your Certificate of Insurance?” Legitimate clinics will not hesitate to provide this.
Business Entity Registration
Confirms it's a real, registered business
A registered business entity (LLC, corporation, etc.) means the medspa has filed with the state to operate as a legal business. This provides a layer of accountability and means the business is subject to state regulations.
How to check it yourself:
Most states have a free Secretary of State business search. Search for the clinic's name to confirm it's registered and in “Active” or “Good Standing” status.
5 Questions to Ask Before Booking
1. Who will be performing my treatment?
Know their role (MD, NP, PA, RN, aesthetician) and credentials. Ask about their experience with the specific procedure.
2. Who is your medical director?
A legitimate clinic will name their supervising physician. You can look up their license yourself.
3. Do you carry malpractice insurance?
This protects you financially if anything goes wrong. Reputable clinics will readily confirm this.
4. What product brands do you use?
FDA-approved brands like Allergan (Botox), Galderma (Restylane), and Evolus (Jeuveau) are the gold standard. Be wary of "off-brand" or imported products.
5. What happens if I have a complication?
Good clinics have a clear follow-up protocol and won't charge for correction visits for complications they caused.
Free Credential Lookup Tools
Use these official databases to verify any medical provider's credentials, all free.
FSMB DocInfo
National medical license lookup. Confirm any physician's license is active
ABMS Board Certification
Check if a doctor is board-certified in their specialty
National Practitioner Data Bank
Federal database of malpractice reports and adverse actions
State Medical Board
Each state has its own board. Search "[your state] medical board license lookup"
Secretary of State Business Search
Verify the business is registered. Search "[your state] secretary of state business search"
What GlowRating Verified Means
When you see the GlowRating Verified badge on a medspa's website, it means we've independently confirmed:
GlowRating is an independent third party. We are not affiliated with any clinic. Verification is a paid service, but we encourage all patients to perform their own due diligence using the free tools above.
Find a Verified Medspa
Search clinics that have passed the GlowRating six-point credential check.