Thinking of Becoming an Injector? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re a licensed medical professional considering aesthetic medicine, you’ve probably seen how popular cosmetic injections have become. The before-and-afters, the quick certification courses, the idea of flexible income and artistic results — it all sounds appealing.

But stepping into this field, especially in New York, requires more than just interest and a license. Here’s what you really need to know before offering injectables like Botox and dermal fillers.

1. You Must Be Licensed — And Know the Legal Limits of Your Role

In New York State, injectables like Botox, dermal fillers, and other cosmetic treatments are classified as medical procedures. That means only licensed medical professionals can legally perform them — and each license comes with its own legal boundaries.

Here’s who can inject in New York:

Physicians (MDs, DOs) – Can inject without restriction and may own and operate their own medical practice.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – Can inject and own their own practice if they meet New York’s independent practice criteria (which includes 3,600 hours of collaborative experience). Otherwise, they must work under a collaborative agreement with a physician.
Physician Assistants (PAs) – Can legally inject, but only under the supervision of a physician. They cannot own or independently operate a medical practice.
Registered Nurses (RNs) – May perform injections, but must work under the supervision of an MD, DO, NP, or PA. RNs cannot legally own or run a medical practice in New York.

Not permitted to inject (even under supervision): Estheticians, LPNs, and medical assistants.

Before you can train with us at Dr. Olga Zilberstein Medical Aesthetics, you’ll need to complete a CME-accredited certification course in Botox and fillers. This ensures you’re legally compliant and ready to learn beyond the basics in a clinical setting.

2. Certification Alone Doesn’t Make You Confident

Completing your neurotoxin and filler certification is an important first step. But those courses often leave you with more questions than answers. Most providers walk away knowing the theory, but not feeling ready to treat a real patient.

You might know the anatomy, dosing, and reconstitution… but what about recognizing asymmetry, navigating tricky patient expectations, or avoiding a vascular occlusion?

That’s where hands-on training with an experienced medical professional makes the difference.

3. What Our Training Looks Like

Our program is for licensed professionals who are serious about building skill and confidence in a real clinical environment.

At Dr. Olga Zilberstein Medical Aesthetics, our training is structured, personal, and rooted in real-world application. You’ll be learning from Dr. Zilberstein — a physician with 18 years of experience who treats patients daily and trains medical professionals across all levels of experience.

Our offerings include:

Shadowing Days
Watch Dr. Zilberstein treat up to 20 patients in one day across a range of procedures. Learn advanced facial assessment, treatment planning, and how she personalizes each case.
Great for understanding flow, communication, and artistry in real time.
Supervised Injectable Training
Treat your own model under her guidance. Get step-by-step support as you inject — not just what to do, but how to think critically and adjust safely.
Confidence comes from doing — not watching.

4. Experience Matters More Than Hype

The goal isn’t to become a “popular injector.” It’s to become a competent, ethical, and trusted medical provider.

That’s why we don’t cut corners, and we don’t offer cookie-cutter training. Every trainee works directly with Dr. Zilberstein, learning how to assess, treat, and think like a medical aesthetics professional.

5. Ready to Train With Us?

If you’re a licensed MD, DO, NP, PA, or RN with a completed CME-accredited neurotoxin and filler certification, you’re eligible to join us.

We offer training at our Brooklyn and Long Island locations, and every session is personalized to meet you where you’re at — whether you’re fresh out of certification or looking to refine advanced techniques.