§ 23-105-1. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter:
(1) "Ablative lasers� or "ablative energy devices� means lasers intended to excise or
vaporize the outer layer of skin.
(2) "Advanced practice registered nurse� or "APRN� means a registered nurse who has an
active, unrestricted advanced practice registered nurse license granted under the
authority of chapter 34 of title 5.
(3) "Certified nurse practitioner� means a certified nurse practitioner as defined in
§ 5-34-3.
(4) "Cosmetic medical procedure� means any procedure that does not require sedation that
is performed on a person and is directed at improving the person's appearance and
does not meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat
illness or disease. Cosmetic medical procedures may include, but are not limited to,
microneedling, hair transplants, cosmetic injections, cosmetic soft tissue fillers,
dermaplaning, dermastamping, dermarolling, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser
resurfacing, laser treatment of veins, sclerotherapy, other laser procedures, intense
pulsed light, ablative laser, permanent fat removal, radio frequency microneedling,
platelet-rich plasma, platelet-rich fibrin, and the use of class II medical devices
designed to induce deep skin tissue alteration. A cosmetic medical service shall be
performed by a delegate only if the services are within the scope of the delegate
and have been delegated by a medical director, supervising physician, supervising
PA, or supervising CNP who is responsible for supervision of the services performed.
(5) "Delegate� means a licensed non-physician tasked with performing a cosmetic medical
procedure as defined in this section by a physician, PA, or CNP.
(6) "Department� means the Rhode Island department of health.
(7) "Medical director� means a physician or certified nurse practitioner who assumes the
role of, or holds oneself out as, medical director. The medical director shall be:
(i) Trained in the indications for, and performance of, cosmetic medical procedures, including
all medical devices or instruments that can alter or cause biological change or damage
the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Training programs provided by a manufacturer or
vendor of a medical device or supplies shall not be a medical director's, supervising
physician's, PA's, or CNP's only education in the cosmetic medical service or the
operation of medical devices to be used;
(ii) Responsible for implementing policies and procedures to ensure quality patient care;
(iii) Responsible for the delegation and supervision of cosmetic procedures;
(iv) Responsible for the oversight of all cosmetic medical procedures performed by physicians,
PAs, CNPs, and non-physicians; and
(v) Responsible for ensuring that all supervising physicians, supervising PAs, and supervising
CNPs, any physicians, PAs, and APRNs performing cosmetic medical procedures, and any
non-physicians, non-PAs, and non-APRNs delegated to perform cosmetic medical procedures,
are properly trained in the safe and effective performance of all cosmetic medical
procedures that they perform at the medical spa.
(8) "Medical spa� means a licensed establishment in which cosmetic medical procedures
are performed.
(9) "Physician� means an allopath or osteopath who has an active, unrestricted medical
license granted under the provisions of chapter 37 of title 5.
(10) "Physician assistant� or "PA� means a person who is licensed and qualified by academic
and practical training to provide medical and surgical services in collaboration with
physicians.
(11) "Supervision� means an arrangement when a qualified supervising physician, a physician
assistant in collaboration with a physician, or a CNP is either:
(i) On site and able to directly observe the treatment being performed, though not necessarily
in the same room (i.e., direct supervision); or
(ii) Is off site, but is in the state and immediately available if needed, either in person
or by telecommunication (i.e., indirect supervision).