Ohio HB 377 was signed into law and rewrote the rules on laser and light hair removal, in effect since August 26, 2026. PAs and nurse practitioners can now delegate and supervise it, and the law spells out who can run the device and the training they need.
By Amber Bechthold, Founder & CEO of Aesthetic Compliance Experts · Esthetician with 25 years in medicine and aesthetics · Last reviewed October 28, 2026
Key Facts at a Glance
Status: Passed · in effect now
State: Ohio
Law: HB 377, 136th General Assembly
In effect since: August 26, 2026
What it does: rewrites Ohio Revised Code 4731.33 and adds 4731.331 on who can delegate, supervise and perform laser and light hair removal
Who it affects: Ohio doctors, PAs, nurse practitioners, RNs, LPNs and laser hair removal professionals
What Changed
Who can delegate and supervise: a PA or an advanced practice nurse, such as a nurse practitioner, under the same conditions as a doctor. For a nurse practitioner, their standard care arrangement has to allow it.
Who can run the device: a PA, RN, LPN or "laser hair removal professional." No one else is listed.
Laser hair removal professional: former cosmetic therapists, or people who completed a 750-hour course and passed the certified exam.
Seeing the patient: the person who delegates sees the patient before the first treatment, and again before treatment continues.
On-site supervision: required unless staff meet the extra training for off-site supervision.
Training: 8 hours of basics, then 15 observed and at least 20 supervised treatments for each type of device.
Supervision limits: one doctor can supervise up to 5 laser hair removal professionals and up to 5 nurses at the same time.
Why This Matters in a Med Spa
Laser hair removal is one of the most common med spa services. This law decides who can supervise, who can hold the device and what training they need, so your staff list, training logs and supervision notes all have to line up with it.
Does This Apply to My Clinic?
If your Ohio clinic offers laser or light hair removal, it's worth a look. This law applies only in Ohio.
What the law doesn't spell out
The final bill text we read did not show which words are new.
It mentions a September 30, 2021 date that may be left over from an earlier version.
Ask the State Medical Board of Ohio or your attorney, and read the current code section yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a nurse practitioner supervise laser hair removal in Ohio?
Yes, under HB 377, if their standard care arrangement allows it, under the same conditions as a doctor.
Who can perform laser hair removal in Ohio?
A PA, RN, LPN or laser hair removal professional. No one else is listed.
How many people can one doctor supervise?
Up to 5 laser hair removal professionals and up to 5 nurses at the same time.
Sources
Ohio Legislature: House Bill 377, 136th General Assembly
Ohio Revised Code 4731.33: Light-based medical devices for hair removal
LegiScan: Ohio HB 377 final bill text. Legislative data via LegiScan (CC BY 4.0).
What This Means for Your Clinic
If your clinic is in Ohio, three records carry most of the weight:
Everyone who runs a laser or light device for hair removal, with their license, compared to the roles the law names.
Each person's training record for each type of device: hours, observed treatments and supervised treatments.
Who supervises each person, and whether it's on site or off site, with proof of any extra training for off-site supervision.
Then work through the rest:
Count how many people each supervisor covers at one time.
If a nurse practitioner delegates or supervises, check that their standard care arrangement covers laser hair removal.
If a PA delegates or supervises, keep their supervision agreement with your laser file.
Check your charts show the patient was seen before the first treatment and before treatment continued.
Update your laser hair removal protocol and supervision paperwork so they describe what you actually do.
For how this law applies to your own clinic, ask your attorney or the State Medical Board of Ohio.
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.
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.
