Telehealth has changed the way Med Spas operate. Patients can now meet with licensed providers virtually – no waiting rooms, no scheduling headaches, and no delays in treatment planning.
But that convenience raises a crucial question: are telehealth Good Faith Exams accepted in every state?
The short answer: almost, but not universally. While most states allow telehealth-based Good Faith Exams, a few impose conditions on how those encounters must occur.
If you’re new to this topic, start with Is the Good Faith Exam Done in Person or Virtually.
How State Rules Differ
Every state defines telehealth differently. Some treat it as a natural extension of in-person care, while others still apply stricter standards.
Here’s what typically varies:
Rule Category |
What It Means |
Common State Requirements |
| Exam Format | Whether the encounter must be live or can be asynchronous. | Most require live video between the patient and provider. |
| Provider Licensing | Whether out-of-state providers can see in-state patients. | Providers must be licensed in the state where the patient is located. |
| Documentation | What must be recorded and stored. | Must include date, format, provider credentials, and consent. |
| Supervision | How Medical Directors oversee delegated providers. | Must align with the state’s delegation and telehealth supervision laws. |
If you’re unsure whether your state allows synchronous or asynchronous telehealth, read Can I Do Async, or Does My State Require Sync.
States That Allow Virtual Good Faith Exams
As of 2025, nearly all states permit virtual Good Faith Exams through live (synchronous) telehealth encounters, provided the provider is properly licensed and the session is documented.
Examples include:
- California, Texas, and Florida: Require synchronous live video and licensed providers within state.
- Arizona and Washington: Recently expanded to include some asynchronous telehealth under specific conditions.
- New York: Allows telehealth but enforces strict supervision and delegation standards.
Even in states that are less explicit, Medical Boards generally recognize virtual exams when they meet the standard of care for patient evaluation.
For more on how laws differ, see Do Laws Around Good Faith Exams Differ by State.
Why Virtual Exams Are the Standard for Med Spas
Virtual Good Faith Exams aren’t just convenient — they make compliance more achievable and patient care more consistent.
- Faster patient access. Patients connect with providers in minutes instead of waiting days or weeks.
- Improved compliance. Every exam is tracked, recorded, and time-stamped.
- Operational efficiency. Staff can focus on patient experience while licensed providers handle evaluations remotely.
- Cross-state scalability. Multi-location Med Spas can standardize processes across all their sites.
If you want to see how this approach supports national Med Spa compliance, read What Are the Compliance Laws in My State for a Med Spa.
How Spakinect Ensures Legal and Clinical Compliance
Spakinect helps Med Spas stay ahead of regulatory uncertainty. Whether your state’s Good Faith Exam laws are clearly defined or still evolving, our system keeps you compliant and audit-ready.
- Patients connect with a provider in an average of 31 seconds
- Exams are conducted by licensed W-2 providers who receive an additional 40+ hours of medical aesthetics and compliance education
- Processes are vetted by Medical Boards and legal experts to align with current and emerging laws
- Documentation integrates directly into your EMR and client portal
- Coverage extends across 40 states and counting, supporting both single-location and multi-location Med Spas
To confirm your state’s current availability, visit States We Service.
For guidance on telehealth-specific differences, read Can I Do Async, or Does My State Require Sync.
FAQs: Telehealth and Good Faith Exams
Which states require in-person Good Faith Exams only?
Very few states explicitly require Good Faith Exams to be conducted in person only for Med Spa services. Most states allow telehealth Good Faith Exams when they meet the standard of care and telemedicine requirements.
That said, some states impose practical limitations that effectively restrict virtual exams in certain scenarios, such as:
- When a live physical assessment is required for a specific treatment
- When the state requires a synchronous audio-video encounter and the technology used does not meet that standard
- When certain services, such as elective IV therapy or controlled substances, have additional in-person requirements
Because these rules change frequently and are often tied to treatment type rather than the exam itself, Med Spas should avoid assuming in-person exams are required unless the law clearly states so.
For a broader breakdown, see:
Which providers are legally allowed to perform a Good Faith Exam by telehealth?
In most states, a Good Faith Exam performed via telehealth must be conducted by a licensed provider with prescriptive authority, including:
- Physicians (MD or DO)
- Nurse Practitioners (NP), subject to state scope of practice
- Physician Assistants (PA), under required supervision or delegation
- Registered Nurses, Medical Assistants, and estheticians are not legally permitted to perform Good Faith Exams, whether in person or virtually.
Additionally, the provider must be:
- Licensed in the state where the patient is physically located
- Acting within their scope of practice
- Compliant with state telehealth and supervision laws
For more detail, see:
What documentation is needed to defend a telehealth Good Faith Exam?
To defend a telehealth Good Faith Exam during an audit, investigation, or malpractice claim, documentation must clearly demonstrate that a valid medical evaluation occurred before treatment.
At a minimum, records should include:
- Patient intake and medical history
- Provider assessment and medical decision making
- Confirmation of treatment eligibility
- Provider name, credentials, and license number
- Date, time, and telehealth format used
- Patient consent acknowledging risks and alternatives
Documentation must be stored securely, retrievable on demand, and retained according to state medical record laws.
For deeper guidance, see:
How do state laws differ on telehealth prescribing for injectables?
Telehealth prescribing rules for injectables vary significantly by state and are often stricter than rules governing the exam itself.
Key differences include:
- Whether a prior in-person exam is required before prescribing
- Whether synchronous audio-video is mandatory
- Whether standing orders or protocol-based prescribing is allowed
- How delegation to RNs is structured and supervised
In most states, injectables such as neuromodulators and dermal fillers require:
- A documented Good Faith Exam
- A licensed prescriber’s authorization
- Clear delegation and supervision protocols
Failure to follow these rules can invalidate both the prescription and the treatment.
For more context, see:
What telemedicine technology standards satisfy HIPAA for Good Faith Exams?
Telemedicine platforms used for Good Faith Exams must meet HIPAA privacy and security standards and support compliant medical documentation.
At a minimum, technology should provide:
- Encrypted audio-video communication
- Secure data storage and access controls
- Audit logs and time-stamped records
- Role-based access for providers and staff
- Integration or export capability for EMRs
Using consumer video tools or unsecured platforms can invalidate an otherwise compliant exam and expose your Med Spa to regulatory risk.
For related guidance, see:
Final Takeaway
Telehealth Good Faith Exams are now the standard for medical aesthetics, but only when performed through compliant, state-aligned systems.
With Spakinect, you get more than convenience. You get compliance built into every encounter. Our 31-second connection time, 40-state coverage, and Medical Board–vetted processes ensure that every patient exam meets legal, ethical, and clinical standards, no matter where your Med Spa operates.
