Please note: Some photos and videos on this site were filmed pre-COVID-19 pandemic. We strongly advise compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and guidance to provide care in the safest way possible for patients and healthcare personnel.

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Spark — HOW TO GET STARTED

RESOURCES

Support For Your Journey

Here are some helpful resources designed to help guide your Medical Aesthetics journey.

AESTHETIC SOCIETIES

Societies

Aesthetic Societies are dedicated to the education and advancement of Medical Aesthetics. Many societies offer valuable information such as continuing medical education courses, peer-reviewed journal articles, and webinars, and events such as annual meetings, to keep their members informed on the latest in the industry, and to facilitate community among its members. There are many different societies that cater to each specialty and to different focuses within each specialty, all with various membership requirements. Please visit the society website for more information or research within your specialty to find the right society for you.

American Academy of Cosmetic SurgeryAACS

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

AACS is comprised of over 1,600 members who pursue educational and training opportunities in cosmetic surgery to ensure consistently high-quality patient care.

VISIT WEBSITE
The American Academy of DermatologyAAD

The American Academy of Dermatology

The AAD is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair, and nails.

VISIT WEBSITE
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryAAFPRS

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) is the world’s largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery.

VISIT WEBSITE
Association of Dermatology Administrators/ManagersADAM

Association of Dermatology Administrators/Managers

The Association of Dermatology Administrators & Managers (ADAM) is the only national organization dedicated to dermatology administrative professionals.

VISIT WEBSITE
American MedSpa AssociationAMSPA

American MedSpa Association

AmSpa provides legal, compliance, and business resources for medical spas and medical aesthetic practices.

VISIT WEBSITE
The Aesthetic SocietyASAPS

The Aesthetic Society

Founded in 1967, the Aesthetic Society is recognized as the world’s leading professional organization of ABPS board-certified plastic surgeons who are solely dedicated to the art, science, and safe practice of aesthetic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.

VISIT WEBSITE
The American Society for Dermatologic SurgeryASDS

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is the largest specialty organization in the United States exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons who have unique training and experience to treat the health, function, and beauty of skin throughout every stage of life.

VISIT WEBSITE
The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.ASLMS

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) is the world's largest professional organization dedicated to promoting research, education, and high standards of clinical care in the field of medical laser and energy-based applications.

VISIT WEBSITE
American Society of Plastic SurgeonsASPS

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

The mission of ASPS is to advance quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice, and research in plastic surgery.

VISIT WEBSITE
International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic NursesISPAN

International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses

The International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses (ISPAN) was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1975 and promotes the competency and education of the Plastic & Aesthetic Nurse. ISPAN provides information on current trends, patient safety initiatives, and legislative updates.

VISIT WEBSITE

View Societies

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Catch Up on COVID-19 Resources

Explore some of the most relevant COVID-19 resources, collected to help you understand the new regulations and guidelines and their impact on the Medical Aesthetics industry.

View Resources

LICENSING & CERTIFICATION

Licensing and Certification Information

As you begin your journey into medical aesthetics, you may have multiple questions on regulations and license requirements. Check out the medical specialty boards below to learn more about the education, examination requirements, and continuous certification needed for each specialty.

What is Licensing?

Note: License requirements vary state by state.

State licensing bodies are called upon to protect the public by setting minimum standards of competency for health professionals. They generally do so by establishing educational requirements, assessing character and other attributes, and testing through licensure exams. Health professionals that meet the requirements are granted the right to practice in a given state. Licensing boards interact with health professionals after initial licensure by requiring periodic relicensure or imposing discipline on poor performers. The majority of U.S.health professionals are licensed; thus, these boards have a large impact on the ongoing development of health professionals.1

What is a Certification?

Note: Certification requirements vary state by state.

Health professional organizations frequently administer or set up independent certifying bodies, which grant a certification or credential recognizing that individuals have successfully demonstrated knowledge of or competency in a particular specialty. Often the requirements for certification go beyond the competency requirements for licensing, which by statute are set to ensure a minimum level of competence. Though the process is usually voluntary, some states mandate certification as part of the licensure process for certain disciplines.1

Requirements by Specialty

Note: The information provided below is specific to the field of Medical Aesthetics. This information is intended to provide initial guidance only and is not inclusive of all regulations required. Licensing and certification requirements vary by specialty and state.

RESOURCES FOR

Physicians

RESOURCES FOR

Physicians Assistants

RESOURCES FOR

Nurses

RESOURCES FOR

Aestheticians

View LICENSING & CERTIFICATION