Laser Certification Process

Having received market clearance from the FDA, lasers are gaining prominence in the medical field, becoming every bit as important to a hospital setting as the blood pressure pump and the stress testing treadmill. As lasers have gained acceptance, a valid certification process has emerged, as you would expect in any medical field. Here's a breakdown of the laser certification process and what doctors have to do in order to clinically use medical lasers.

Certified Medical Laser Hair Remover Provider

Stipulated by the International Aesthetic and Laser Association, the requirements for a certified doctor using lasers to remove hair are designed to exceed all state requirements to ensure the highest standards of competency. The doctor is required to submit a minimal number of clinical cases to meet requirements for full certification, though applicants may be tested as soon as training instruction has been completed. The examination includes 100 multiple choice questions covering 8 areas of lasers in the medical field. These areas relate to hazards involved with the job, regulations and standards, laser interactions with tissue. The questions must be completed within 3 hours.

Applicants must have attended 6 hours or more of formal laser hair removal courses and safety courses, and submit 20 clinical hair removal cases. 10 cases in which a more senior provider was present must be included, a requirement for every type of laser you decide to be certified in.

Certified Aesthetic Laser Operator

Laser operators may be physicians, but they can also be nurses, physical assistants, physician extenders and others who have received the appropriate medical training. They treat clients for benign cosmetic skin conditions and other noninvasive skin rejuvenation.

The examination consists of 125 multiple choice questions related to 8 major content areas, which must be completed in 3.5 hours. The applicant must be dermatology nurse certified, have a 4 year degree or a medical degree or related credentials. They must also have experience in dermatology or plastic surgery services, and document 24 hours or more of medical laser use and safety courses.

Certified Laser Assistant

To be a certified laser assistant, you must be 18, have a 2 year or 4 year degree or medically related credentials and complete 4 hours or more of laser science and safety training.