Texas Laser Hair Removal Rules: What a Licensed Facility Must Do
How Texas regulates laser hair removal under Health and Safety Code Chapter 401, Subchapter M: facility licenses, on-site supervision, consulting physicians, approved devices, customer risk notices and advertising limits.
Who regulates laser hair removal in Texas
Texas regulates cosmetic laser hair removal through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under Health and Safety Code Chapter 401, Subchapter M. The law covers "nonablative" hair removal, meaning procedures with a laser or pulsed light (IPL) device that do not remove the outer layer of skin (§401.501). There are two layers of licensing: the facility needs a license, and the people who perform the procedure need certificates.
The Department of State Health Services still regulates the lasers and pulsed light devices themselves as radiation-producing equipment. TDLR's FAQ says complaints about unsafe conditions involving radiation should go to DSHS (TDLR laser hair removal FAQ).
The facility license
A person may not operate a laser hair removal facility without a TDLR license, and every location needs its own (§401.510). Three kinds of places are exempt: a facility owned or operated by a physician for the practice of medicine, a licensed hospital, and a clinic owned or operated by a licensed hospital. TDLR's FAQ adds that a physician-owned facility that performs only laser hair removal still needs a registration. So a dermatology practice may lawfully offer laser hair removal without appearing in TDLR's facility file, while a stand-alone laser studio or med spa needs the license.
Licenses last two years and may be renewed (§401.512), and the license and staff certificates must be displayed in an open public area of the facility (§401.513). Every facility on this site holds a current license in TDLR's file, and its profile shows the license number and expiry date.
Supervision on site
A licensed facility must have a certified laser hair removal professional, or a licensed health professional whose own board allows it to perform laser hair removal, present to supervise procedures during the facility's operating hours (§401.517). If the facility's certified professional leaves, it may keep operating only if a senior laser hair removal technician is present to perform or supervise each procedure, and within 45 days either that senior technician must become certified as a professional or the facility must hire a new one.
The consulting physician
Every licensed facility must have a written contract with a consulting physician who establishes the protocols for the services it provides and audits its protocols and operations (§401.519). The physician must be available for emergency consultation, including, if the physician considers it necessary, an emergency appointment with the client; if the physician is unavailable, another designated physician must be. TDLR's FAQ says the facility does not need a "medical director", but the contract and its protocols are required, and they satisfy the prescription requirement for each use of the device. TDLR also lists records a facility must keep on site, including the physician contract, written safety and patient assessment protocols, a current device inventory, training affidavits for technicians, and records of quarterly audits by the consulting physician.
Devices
Only devices approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for hair removal may be used for that purpose, and only at settings expected to remove hair safely (§401.514). According to TDLR's FAQ, buying a laser hair removal device requires a physician's order, and only a licensed health professional may purchase one for the facility.
What the facility must tell you
- A written risk statement. The facility must give every customer a written statement of the relevant risks, including a warning that not using the eye protection it provides may damage your eyes (§401.515).
- A warning sign. A sign must be posted where people entering can see it, with TDLR's toll-free number and email address and a note that customers may contact TDLR (§401.516).
- The limits of the certificate. Certificate holders must disclose in writing that their certificate covers only nonablative cosmetic hair removal and does not authorize them to diagnose or treat any illness, disease, injury, defect or deformity (§401.504).
Advertising limits
A facility operator may not claim, advertise or distribute promotional material saying laser hair removal is free from risk or provides any medical benefit, and may not run false or misleading advertising about its services (§401.518). Be wary of "painless, zero-risk" promises. Under the law, a legitimate facility cannot make them.
Medical treatment is different
Using a laser or pulsed light device to treat an illness, disease, injury or physical defect is the practice of medicine. Only a physician, someone acting under a physician's order, or someone authorized by other law may do it (§401.521). Laser hair removal certificates do not cover other laser services such as tattoo removal, skin resurfacing or vein treatment.
Complaints and discipline
You can file a complaint with TDLR against a facility or certificate holder, or report unlicensed activity, at tdlr.texas.gov/complaints. TDLR's FAQ says complaints must be filed within two years of the event unless there is good cause, that anonymous complaints are accepted, and that disciplinary orders are posted in its administrative orders search for three years after they are signed.
Why the facility license matters to you
The facility license ties the whole system together. It is how TDLR knows who the supervising professional and consulting physician are, which devices are on site, and where to inspect or investigate if something goes wrong. A business offering laser hair removal without it, and without one of the exemptions, is operating outside the system that protects you. That is why every listing here shows the license number and expiry from TDLR's own file.
How to use this site
Search your city, confirm the facility's license on its profile and on TDLR's license search, and read our questions to ask before your first session.
General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Texas Laser Check is not a recommendation or a guarantee of anyone's work. A license record shows registration status on the date shown, not workmanship, insurance coverage at the time of your job, or suitability for your project. Confirm license, insurance and permits directly before you hire. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.