How to Start a Botox Business as a Nurse Practitioner in the UK

Whether you’re a nurse practitioner looking to supplement your income or transition fully into the aesthetics industry, starting a Botox business can offer flexibility, financial rewards, and the chance to enhance your professional skill set in a rapidly growing field.

In fact, the aesthetics industry is globally estimated to be worth a mind blowing £45.5 billion, and the UK market makes up a considerable proportion of that, with an estimated worth of more than £3.6 billion.

It’s therefore evident why so many nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals, decide to start their own aesthetic business.

But where do you start? In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully launch your Botox business, ensuring you’re set up for success from the very beginning.

6 Steps to Start a Botox Business as a Nurse Practitioner

Here are 6 steps to start a Botox business as a nurse practitioner:

1. Understand the UK Regulations

First things first, do your research and fully understand the UK regulations around working in the botox industry, to ensure that your practice adheres to legal and ethical guidelines.

In the UK, the administration of Botox (a prescription-only medicine) is regulated.

If you are a Nurse Practitioner, you need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and in order to legally administer Botox, you must be a non-medical prescriber. If you're not a prescriber, you'll need to work with a prescriber who can assess the patient and issue a prescription.

2. Obtain the Necessary Training and Qualifications

Before you start your own Botox business, you will need to gain the relevant qualifications, as even though you’re already a qualified nurse, specific training in aesthetic treatments is essential.

The qualification you will need to complete before you can become an aesthetic Botox practitioner is a Level 6 from an accredited training provider. From here, you can gain your Level 7 qualification. Make sure that the training provides practical hands-on training and covers all aspects of safe administration, such as facial anatomy, injection techniques, and safety protocols.

To be able to legally administer prescription-only Botox independently, you will need a prescribing licence. Additionally, in order to gain your Level 7 qualification, you will need a prescribing licence.

To obtain your prescribing licence, you will need to take an aesthetics training course or complete a ‘V300 Advanced Certificate in Independent Prescribing’ course.

Without one of these licences, you will not be able to autonomously work with Botox, and you’ll therefore have to hire someone who oversees all of your aesthetic treatments. 

3. Get Medical Insurance

Another crucial step before starting a Botox business is to get comprehensive medical malpractice insurance to protect yourself from potential legal claims. 

Providers such as Hamilton Fraser or Cosmetic Insure specialise in insurance for aesthetic practitioners, which should cover Botox administration and other treatments you plan to offer, and public & product liability.

4. Set up Your Business 

Now the fun part - setting up your business!

In the UK, you’ll need to establish a formal business entity, whether that’s operating as a sole trader, a limited company or a partnership. 

Once you’ve done your research on these 3 entities, register your business with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and set up a business bank account.

During this phase you should also be deciding important things like how much you want to charge, and whether you will be running your business from a practice that you rent, or from your own home. You might even want to consider being a mobile aesthetic practitioner.

Let’s look at these options in more detail…

5. Secure a Location & Purchase Equipment and Supplies

To carry out Botox treatments, you’ll need to operate from a professional, safe, and hygienic environment, either at your own clinic, working from home, or working mobile:

 

If legally permissible in your area, you could also offer treatments in clients' homes or at pop-up events, provided you meet all hygiene and safety standards.

Once you’ve decided on a location/space, you’ll need to set up the practice with any necessary tools and equipment, such as Botox (or other neuromodulators) from licensed pharmaceutical distributors, syringes, gloves, antiseptics, and other medical supplies.

Proper disposal methods for medical waste (e.g., needles).

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of pharmaceutical supplies, stocking all major aesthetic products as well as starter packs and emergency kits. You can shop for Botox our Faces Shop here.

6. Consider Expanding Your Services Over Time

This step isn’t crucial but is one that many nurse practitioners consider doing once the business is established.

Expanding your services over time will allow you to attract a wider range of clients and diversify your revenue streams. 

For example, you might decide to offer other aesthetic treatments such as dermal fillers, microneedling/dermaplaning, laser treatments, skin boosters, or PDO COG thread lift.

Check out our wide range of aesthetic training courses, including many of those mentioned above. All our courses are CPD accredited and upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate that can be used with your application to insurers. 

And there we have it! We hope this blog has provided you with a clear roadmap on how to start a Botox business as a Nurse Practitioner in the UK. 

Are you interested in training in the aesthetics industry? Check out our articles on Botulinum Toxin, Weight Management and Dermaplaning Training Courses.

Written by Kate, for You Can Clinic.