Rhode Island § 5-32-21 - Electrolysis and Laser Hair Removal

§ 5-32-21. Practice of laser hair removal.

(a) A person licensed as an electrologist before July 1, 2019, who has practiced laser hair removal under the supervision of a medical director for not less than two (2) years and has conducted at least one thousand (1,000) laser hair removal treatments, whichever is later, with no disciplinary complaints that were found to be actionable by the department resulting in the suspension of a license, shall be permitted to practice electrology and laser hair removal without medical director oversight. The department may reinstate the requirement to perform laser hair removal under the supervision of a medical director for a period of two (2) years as part of a disciplinary settlement; provided, however, that the department shall not require the medical director to be located on-site, but shall be available for consultation.

(b) A person licensed as an electrologist after July l, 2019, shall practice laser hair removal only under the supervision of a medical director, who shall not be required to be located on-site, but who shall be available for consultation. A licensed electrologist, upon completion of two (2) years of practice under the supervision of a medical director, may submit an application to the department certifying the following:

(1) Completion of two (2) years of laser hair removal treatment of patients under the oversight of a medical director;

(2) Completion of one thousand (1,000) patient laser hair removal treatments; and

(3) American Electrology Association Board certification.

An electrologist meeting the foregoing criteria shall be exempt from the requirement to practice laser hair removal under the supervision of a medical director. The department may reinstate the requirement to perform laser hair removal under the supervision of a medical director for a period of two (2) years as part of a disciplinary settlement; provided, however, that the medical director shall not be required to be located on-site, but shall be available for consultation.

(c) All equipment used for laser hair removal shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the United States Food and Drug Administration.

(d) An electrologist shall maintain a complete record of receipt, transfer, and disposal for each device used for electrolysis and laser hair removal, which shall be in writing or capable of reproduction in written form, and shall, at a minimum, contain the following data:

(1) Manufacturer’s name;

(2) Model and serial number of the device;

(3) Date of the receipt, transfer, or disposal;

(4) Name and address of the person the device was received from, transferred to, or to whom the device was transferred for disposal; and

(5) Name of the person recording the information.