A good-faith exam (GFE) is the clinical foundation of prescribing authority for aesthetic injectables and devices. Unlike pharmaceutical prescriptions, which rely on established diagnoses, aesthetic GFEs must establish that the patient is appropriate for treatment, free of contraindications, and has realistic expectations. The rules vary significantly by state—some allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to conduct exams independently; others require physician oversight. Telehealth has further fractured the landscape: a handful of states permit remote GFEs for injectables, while most require in-person evaluation. For practice owners, understanding your state's specific standard is non-negotiable; misalignment between exam scope and prescriber credentials is a common audit finding and can trigger scope-of-practice violations, insurance denials, and board complaints. This page maps the structural requirements and flags where you need to verify current state rules.