If your California med spa runs on a nurse practitioner and RN team, this one is for you. SB 1302 was signed into law and starts January 1, 2027. It lets RNs give medicines ordered by a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife.
By Amber Bechthold, Founder & CEO of Aesthetic Compliance Experts · Esthetician with 25 years in medicine and aesthetics · Last reviewed October 27, 2026
Key Facts at a Glance
Status: Passed · takes effect soon
State: California
Law: SB 1302 (Chapter 429, Statutes of 2026)
Signed: September 20, 2026
Takes effect: January 1, 2027
What it does: RNs can give medicines ordered by a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife
Who it affects: RNs, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and other advanced practice nurses
What Changed
NP and nurse-midwife orders: RNs can give medicines ordered by a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife.
Advanced practice nurse direction: RNs can give medicines an advanced practice nurse directs, within that nurse's own scope.
Out-of-state hours: transition-to-practice hours from some other states can count. The board names those states by January 1, 2028.
Continuing education: proof at renewal starts January 1, 2029.
Why This Matters in a Med Spa
Many California med spas have nurse practitioners writing orders and RNs carrying them out. Starting January 1, 2027, the law speaks to that setup directly.
Does This Apply to My Clinic?
If your California clinic has NPs and RNs working together, it's worth a look. The parts our team read do not name LVNs, PAs or medical assistants.
What the law doesn't spell out
What supervision an RN needs for these orders
Which medicines or treatments, such as injections or IV drips, are included
Which other states will count for transition-to-practice hours
Ask the Board of Registered Nursing or your attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does SB 1302 take effect?
January 1, 2027.
Can an RN give injectables ordered by an NP?
The law lets RNs give medicines ordered by a nurse practitioner. It doesn't list specific treatments like injections or IV drips, so confirm with the Board of Registered Nursing.
Does this cover LVNs or medical assistants?
The parts we read don't name LVNs, PAs or medical assistants.
Sources
LegiScan: California SB 1302 (2025-2026)
CalMatters Digital Democracy: SB 1302
What This Means for Your Clinic
If your clinic is in California, the areas this touches are:
Standing orders and protocols your nurse practitioners write
Which RNs carry out those orders
Supervision between your NPs and RNs
Our clients get the step-by-step plan. Questions about your own setup go to the Board of Registered Nursing or your attorney.
Keep reading
Need a legal answer for your clinic?
ACE works with Doris Dike, Esq., founder of Dike Law Group PLLC, our outside legal counsel. If you need an attorney to look at how this applies to your clinic, her office can help. Her office includes an attorney licensed in California.
Phone: (972) 290-1031
Office: 6160 Warren Parkway, Suite 100, Frisco, TX 75034
Book a call: dklawg.com/contact
Have questions about how this applies to your clinic? Book a free 30-minute Gap Analysis Call or text us anytime at (817) 442-7484.
This post is educational. It is not legal advice, and requirements differ by state and by practice. Confirm how any change applies to your clinic with your own attorney or your licensing board.
