I know this is really confusing to consumers because the use of cosmetic lasers are governed by laws and statutes controlled by the states in the United States.  In other countries, legal use of lasers varies widely and, in some countries doesn't require any medical training (scarey!). 

In the US, some states only allow MDs to operate lasers.  Other states allow aestheticians (who basically have no medical licensing) to operate them and everyone in between.   Of all the medical licenses, by depth and length of training, the heirarchy goes  MD, ARNPs and PAC-s, RNs, LPNs, and MAs.

In our office, we only allow PA-Cs/ARNPs and some experienced RNs to operate lasers under the supervision of an MD who is on site (not an absentee medical director).  Our MDs only operate our CO2 laser.

 Dr. I