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The Rise of Telehealth in Aesthetic Medicine: Why Good Faith Exams Are Going Virtual

As the aesthetic and wellness industry continues to experience rapid growth, medical oversight and compliance requirements are evolving just as quickly. At the center of this shift is the Good Faith Exam (GFE), a legally required medical evaluation that must be conducted prior to offering treatments like IV therapy, cosmetic injectables, hormone replacement, or prescription-based weight loss programs.

Telehealth is now transforming how these exams are delivered, bringing both efficiency and compliance to clinics nationwide. Qualiphy, a white-labeled telehealth infrastructure platform, is leading the way by offering fully automated, state-compliant Good Faith Exams for aesthetic and wellness providers in all 50 U.S. states.

What Is a Good Faith Exam?

A Good Faith Exam is a medical assessment performed by a licensed healthcare provider, typically a physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA). It is required by law in many states before any prescription treatment or delegated medical procedure can occur.

In states like Texas, Florida, California, and Arizona, failure to conduct a GFE prior to treatment can result in board investigations, fines, or license suspension.

From Good Faith Exam to Patient-Specific Orders

Recent legal guidance has made it clear that a generic clearance form is no longer sufficient. Instead, states are beginning to require patient-specific orders (PSOs) — clinical instructions based on a provider’s evaluation that detail the exact treatment, dosage, ingredients, and delegation pathway.

Common Compliance Gaps in Clinics

Despite best intentions, many medspas and IV clinics unknowingly operate out of compliance. The most common mistakes include:

– Performing treatments without a documented Good Faith Exam
– Allowing non-licensed staff, such as RNs or aestheticians, to assess patients
– Using outdated or one-time clearances for returning clients
– Lacking standardized processes for treatment planning and documentation

Can Good Faith Exams Be Done via Telehealth?

Yes, and in fact, telehealth offers a more secure, consistent, and auditable way to conduct GFEs. Provided the platform is HIPAA-compliant and meets the standard of care for real-time or asynchronous evaluations (depending on the state), it can serve as a legal equivalent to in-person assessments.

Aligning with State Medical Boards

Medical boards across the U.S. have reinforced that a valid provider-patient relationship must precede medical treatment. In Texas, for example, the board requires a documented Good Faith Exam and prohibits treatments based solely on standing orders or delayed supervision. Clinics that fail to comply risk losing their license or becoming ineligible for malpractice insurance coverage.

Preparing for the Future of Aesthetic Compliance

Compliance is no longer an administrative burden, it’s becoming a strategic advantage. Clinics that embrace legally sound, medically led intake processes are better positioned to scale, retain patients, and withstand increasing regulatory scrutiny. As oversight expands into 2025 and beyond, systems like Qualiphy provide the infrastructure to grow with confidence.

How Qualiphy Supports Multi-State Clinic Networks

For clinics operating across multiple states, or those expanding into new regions, staying compliant with Good Faith Exam (GFE) regulations can quickly become complex and time-consuming. Each state has its own legal definitions of what constitutes a valid medical evaluation, who is authorized to perform it, and how treatment orders must be documented and delegated.

For example, Texas and Georgia require that a physician or mid-level provider conduct a real-time medical evaluation and issue a patient-specific order, while California allows asynchronous telehealth evaluations under strict protocols. Even within the same practice, procedures that are legally acceptable in one state may be considered noncompliant in another.

Qualiphy is designed to address these nuances by embedding location-specific logic directly into its telehealth workflows. The platform automatically adjusts its intake, documentation, and delegation processes based on the laws governing the state in which the patient resides and the treatment is rendered.

The result is a single, unified solution that removes the administrative burden of manual legal research and mitigates the risk of noncompliance, while enabling clinics to grow confidently and legally across state lines.

About Qualiphy

Qualiphy is the premier telehealth infrastructure solution for aesthetic and wellness clinics. With over 2,500 five-star reviews, Qualiphy delivers secure, compliant Good Faith Exams, fully branded to the clinic. Built for scalability and compliance, Qualiphy clinics remain protected, efficient, and trusted by their patients.

Frequently Asked Questions: Good Faith Exams in Aesthetic Medicine

Are Good Faith Exams required for med spas and IV clinics?
Yes. Many states mandate that a GFE be completed before any delegated medical treatment can occur. This applies to procedures like Botox, dermal fillers, hormone therapy, and IV nutrient therapy. Clinics that fail to conduct a proper GFE may be subject to investigations, penalties, or license suspension.
Can a Good Faith Exam be done through telehealth?
Yes. When performed via a compliant platform, telehealth-based GFEs are recognized as legal equivalents to in-person evaluations in most states. Qualiphy supports both synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (recorded) evaluations, depending on what each state permits.
Who is legally allowed to perform a Good Faith Exam?
Only licensed medical providers—MDs, DOs, NPs, and PAs—are authorized to perform GFEs. Non-licensed personnel such as RNs or aestheticians may not conduct the exam, even under supervision.
How often must a Good Faith Exam be repeated?
This varies by state law. Some states require a new GFE before every treatment, while others permit renewals every 6–12 months. Qualiphy tracks state-specific timelines to ensure clinics remain compliant without the administrative burden.
What are the risks of non-compliance with GFE laws?
Non-compliance can lead to serious legal and financial consequences, including regulatory fines, loss of medical licenses, malpractice exposure, and insurance ineligibility. Clinics that skip or improperly perform GFEs risk being flagged during audits or patient complaints.

Streamline Your Client Clearances

Partner with Qualiphy to offer seamless telehealth Good Faith Exams — 7-day availability, detailed documentation, and zero setup fees. Keep your treatments flowing without the paperwork slowdowns.

Before exploring how Good Faith Exams are going virtual, check out our blog: Good Faith Exams & Their Significance For Med Spas. It covers the essentials — from compliance to patient care — and why every aesthetic clinic should be paying attention.