How Ontario Nurses Can Legally Start a Medispa?

Opening a medispa is an exciting way for Ontario nurses and nurse practitioners to combine their clinical skills with business ownership. Before you start choosing your logo or paint colours, you need to understand how things work and what is required.

At Seamless Health, we help clinicians turn their dream of independence into reality,  safely, confidently, and compliantly. Here’s what you need to know before you launch your medispa in Ontario.

Understanding the Legal Framework in Ontario

In Ontario, aesthetic medicine falls under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). That means most injectable and energy-based treatments are considered controlled acts.

Controlled acts include:

• Administering a substance by injection or inhalation (e.g. Botox, fillers, PRP)
• Performing a procedure below the dermis or mucous membrane (e.g. microneedling, laser resurfacing)

Only authorized healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), or registered nurses (RNs/RPNs), acting under a proper medical directive or delegation, may perform these treatments.

Translation: RNs and RPNs can perform injections only if a prescriber (physician or NP) provides a written directive that meets the standards of both the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

Who Can Own and Operate a Medispa

Ownership and authority are not the same thing in Ontario.

• Nurse Practitioners (NPs) may open and operate a medispa, perform and delegate controlled acts, and act as the clinic’s medical director.
• Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) may own a medispa but must have a medical director (physician or NP) responsible for medical oversight, prescribing, and delegation.
• Non-regulated individuals (e.g., business partners, estheticians) can co-own the business portion but are not permitted to perform medical procedures.

Licences, Notifications, and Public Health Requirements

All medispas in Ontario fall under Ontario Regulation 136/18- Personal Service Settings (PSS).

Before opening, you must know your region’s requirements, but typically:

• Notify your local public health unit in writing at least 14 days prior to commencing services.
• Submit a list of all services, procedures, and devices you plan to use.
• Prepare for an on-site inspection to verify infection prevention and control (IPAC) standards.

Every medispa must have:

• A hand-washing sink in each treatment area.
• one-time use items or proper sterilization and instrument reprocessing protocols
• Approved sharps containers and biomedical waste disposal
• Written cleaning and disinfection logs

You must also comply with PHIPA and PIPEDA for patient privacy, and ensure your lasers and medical devices are Health Canada-approved.

Building a Legally Compliant Team

When hiring, ensure all clinical staff hold valid registration with their regulatory college and have professional liability insurance that includes aesthetic practice.

Delegation & Medical Directives

For RNs and RPNs, every injection performed must be authorized through:

An individual order, or a medical directive signed by an MD or NP outlining conditions, dose ranges, contraindications, and emergency procedures.

Your clinic should have policies in place for:

• Emergency response (e.g. anaphylaxis, vascular occlusion)
• Documentation and consent
• Product inventory and storage
• Sharps disposal and sterilization

Setting Up Your Business

Once you have your clinical structure in place, you can focus on the business side.

• Register your business (ServiceOntario) and obtain a municipal business licence.
• Secure insurance for both professional liability and general business coverage.
• Design your clinic with patient comfort, accessibility, and infection control in mind.
• Budget for startup costs, including space, equipment, marketing, and staff training.

Remember: Never open your doors until your medical oversight, legal documents, and infection control systems are complete.

Branding, Advertising, and Compliance

Your marketing must follow CNO and CPSO advertising standards. That means:

• No misleading “before and afters” or guarantees of results
• No language implying superiority (“best injector,” “Canada’s #1 clinic”)
• No testimonials from current patients
• Do highlight your credentials, accreditation, and safety standards.
• Always disclose risks and expected outcomes honestly.
• At Seamless Health & Medical Aesthetics , we teach our students that compliance builds trust, and trust builds your client base.

Continuing Education & Professional Development

The medical aesthetics industry evolves constantly; new products, techniques, and safety guidelines emerge every year.

Continuing education isn’t just optional; it’s part of maintaining clinical excellence and public trust.

That’s why Seamless Health & Medical Aesthetics offers accredited, hands-on training for doctors and nurses, including:

• CNA-Accredited Botox & Dermal Filler Training
• Advanced Injection Courses (All About Lips, Sculptra, PRP & Microneedling)
• Beaut-CAMPP is a 6-month guided mentorship designed for Ontario nurses who want to confidently step into aesthetic medicine, with a focus on safety and business savvy. This program goes beyond clinical skills; it’s where injection skills meet mentorship, compliance, and entrepreneurship. At Seamless Health, Beaut-CAMPP isn’t just a course; it’s your roadmap to becoming a confident, competent, and compliant aesthetic injector.

Your Seamless Path Forward

Starting a medispa as a nurse in Ontario can seem daunting, but with the correct training, legal foundation, and mentorship, you can build a thriving, ethical, and profitable practice that reflects both your medical professionalism and your creative passion.

At Seamless Health & Medical Aesthetics Institute, we’ve walked that path and now help others do the same. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale your business, we’ll guide you step-by-step through compliance, clinical skills, and confidence.

Explore accredited training and mentorship opportunities at www.seamlesshealth.ca.