Injectables in Ontario: what’s changing on 1 March 2027
From 1 March 2027, nurses in Ontario who give aesthetic injectables, such as wrinkle-relaxing injections and dermal fillers, need a client-specific order for each patient. Here is what that means if you’re planning a treatment.
Last updated 9 Nov 2026
- An order written for youNurse injectors work from a client-specific order, not a general directive.
- Assessed by a prescriber firstA physician or nurse practitioner sees you in person or by video.
- Both registrations checkedAurayla shows each nurse injector with their authorizing prescriber.
What changes
In October 2026, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) approved changes to its standards that take effect on 1 March 2027. For aesthetic treatments that involve a prescription drug or a controlled act:
- Nurses must work from a client-specific order, written for you, instead of a general medical directive.
- Before issuing that order, the authorizing physician or nurse practitioner must assess you, in person or by video, and set a plan of care with follow-up.
- If a nurse delegates part of a procedure to someone without the authority to do it, the nurse must stay on site for the whole procedure.
Who it affects
The change applies to registered nurses (RN) and registered practical nurses (RPN) who give injectables. Physicians and nurse practitioners can already assess and prescribe themselves.
Separately, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) expects a physician who delegates a controlled act to assess a new patient first, or within two business days, and generally to be on site.
What it means for you
- Expect an assessment with the physician or nurse practitioner before your first treatment with a nurse injector. It may be by video.
- The order sets how long it lasts. When it ends, or if your health or goals change, the prescriber reassesses you.
- You can ask who your authorizing prescriber is, and check their registration on the public register.
Before 1 March 2027, many clinics use medical directives. Asking who authorizes your treatment is a good question either way.
How Aurayla shows it
Every nurse injector on Aurayla is shown with their authorizing physician or nurse practitioner, and we check both registrations on the public register. Where a clinic hasn’t recorded the prescriber yet, the profile says so. How we verify.
Sources
- CNO, Aesthetic services (opens in a new tab)
- CPSO Dialogue, Updated Delegation of Controlled Acts policy (opens in a new tab)
This page explains the change in general terms. It isn’t legal or medical advice. For questions about your treatment, ask your provider.