How to Choose a Peptide Therapy Clinic
The peptide therapy market is booming. Clinics are opening in strip malls, telehealth platforms are advertising peptide consultations on Instagram, and your gym buddy swears by the place he found online.
The peptide therapy market is booming. Clinics are opening in strip malls, telehealth platforms are advertising peptide consultations on Instagram, and your gym buddy swears by the place he found online. The problem: not all of these providers are created equal, and the wrong choice can cost you money, time, and potentially your health.
Peptide therapy --- the clinical use of specific peptides under medical supervision --- has legitimate science behind it. Over 100 peptide-based drugs currently hold FDA approval. GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide have reshaped metabolic medicine. Growth hormone peptides, healing peptides like BPC-157, and immune-modulating compounds are the subject of active research worldwide.
But legitimate science exists alongside a largely unregulated marketplace. Some clinics operate with rigorous medical standards. Others are essentially supplement shops with a physician's signature. Telling the difference requires knowing what to look for.
This guide gives you a systematic framework for evaluating peptide therapy clinics --- the credentials that matter, the questions to ask, the red flags that should send you elsewhere, and how telemedicine fits into the picture.
Table of Contents
- Why Choosing the Right Clinic Matters
- Credentials That Matter
- What a Good Initial Consultation Looks Like
- Questions to Ask Before Your First Appointment
- Red Flags: When to Walk Away
- Green Flags: Signs of a Quality Practice
- Understanding Peptide Sourcing
- Telemedicine Peptide Clinics
- What to Expect: Cost and Insurance
- Clinic Evaluation Checklist
- The Regulatory Environment in 2025
- The Bottom Line
- References
Why Choosing the Right Clinic Matters
Peptide therapy isn't like picking a dentist for a cleaning. Many peptides prescribed by clinics are compounded products --- manufactured by specialty pharmacies rather than large pharmaceutical companies. The quality control, dosing precision, and sterility of these products vary significantly depending on the pharmacy and the prescriber's standards.
The FDA's own testing has found that up to 40% of compounded peptide products sold online contained incorrect dosages or undeclared ingredients. State enforcement actions against non-compliant clinics increased substantially in 2024 and 2025, with medical boards suspending licenses of providers who prescribed peptides without proper medical evaluation.
A good clinic protects you from these risks. A bad one exposes you to them.
Credentials That Matter
Medical Licensure (Non-Negotiable)
The prescribing provider must hold an active, unrestricted medical license in your state. This means an MD (Doctor of Medicine), DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), NP (Nurse Practitioner), or PA (Physician Assistant) with prescriptive authority. Verify their license status through your state medical board's online lookup tool --- every state has one.
Any disciplinary actions, restrictions, or past license suspensions should be visible in these records. Check before you book.
Specialty Training
While no single board certification makes someone a "peptide specialist," certain backgrounds indicate relevant expertise:
| Credential / Affiliation | What It Signals |
|---|---|
| Board certification in Endocrinology | Deep understanding of hormone systems peptides interact with |
| Board certification in Internal Medicine | Strong diagnostic foundation for evaluating patients |
| Fellowship in Functional or Integrative Medicine | Training in optimization-oriented approaches that commonly include peptides |
| American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) fellowship | Specialized training in age-management therapies |
| International Peptide Society (IPS) membership | Demonstrated commitment to peptide education and best practices |
| SSRP Peptide Therapy Certification | Specific training in peptide protocols, dosing, timing, and drug interactions |
The International Peptide Society
The IPS maintains a searchable "Find A Practitioner" directory of clinicians who have completed peptide-specific training. Practitioners listed there have demonstrated commitment to continuing education in peptide therapeutics. It's not a guarantee of quality, but it's a meaningful credential that filters out providers who are improvising.
What About Naturopaths and Chiropractors?
Prescriptive authority varies dramatically by state. In some states, naturopathic doctors (NDs) can prescribe peptides. In others, they cannot. Chiropractors generally cannot prescribe injectable medications in any state. Always confirm that the provider type has legal authority to prescribe the specific peptides they're offering in your jurisdiction.
What a Good Initial Consultation Looks Like
A quality peptide therapy consultation is a medical appointment, not a sales pitch. Here's what should happen.
Before the Appointment
- You should be asked to complete a detailed health history questionnaire
- The clinic should request or have access to recent lab work
- You should receive information about what to expect during the visit
During the Appointment
Medical history review: The provider should review your complete medical history, including current medications, supplements, allergies, past surgeries, and family medical history. They should ask about specific contraindications --- peptides that interact with growth hormone pathways, for example, are generally avoided in patients with active or recent cancer.
Discussion of symptoms and goals: Why are you interested in peptide therapy? What specific outcomes are you hoping for? A good provider will help you set realistic expectations and identify whether peptides are the right tool or whether something else might address your concerns more effectively.
Physical examination or assessment: Depending on whether the visit is in-person or virtual, some form of clinical assessment should occur. This might be a physical exam, a review of vital signs, or a structured symptom evaluation.
Lab work: The provider should order baseline bloodwork before prescribing. At minimum, this typically includes a complete metabolic panel, CBC, hormone panel (testosterone, IGF-1, thyroid markers), and inflammatory markers. Some clinics also test insulin, HbA1c, and lipid panels.
Starting peptide therapy without lab work is like adjusting a thermostat without reading the temperature. You need to know where you're starting to measure whether the intervention is working.
Treatment plan discussion: The provider should explain which specific peptides they're recommending and why, expected timelines for results (usually 4--12 weeks), potential side effects, administration methods, and monitoring schedule.
After the Appointment
- You should receive written injection instructions or administration guidance
- A follow-up appointment should be scheduled (typically 4--8 weeks out)
- You should know how to reach the clinic with questions or concerns
Questions to Ask Before Your First Appointment
Prepare these questions. The answers will tell you a lot about the quality of the practice.
About the Provider
- "What is your training or certification in peptide therapy?"
- "How long have you been prescribing peptides?"
- "How many patients are you currently managing on peptide protocols?"
- "Are you a member of the International Peptide Society or A4M?"
About the Process
- "Will you review my full medical history before prescribing?"
- "What bloodwork will you order before starting?"
- "How often will I have follow-up appointments?"
- "What monitoring will you do while I'm on peptides?"
- "What happens if I experience side effects?"
About the Peptides
- "Where are the peptides sourced from? Which pharmacy?"
- "Is the pharmacy a licensed 503A or 503B facility?"
- "Can you provide Certificates of Analysis for the peptides?"
- "Are the peptides tested for purity and sterility?"
- "What administration method will I use?" (See: How to reconstitute peptides)
About Cost
- "What is the total monthly cost, including consultations and peptides?"
- "Are there additional fees for lab work?"
- "Do you offer any package pricing?"
A provider who answers these questions thoroughly and without defensiveness is worth your time. A provider who gets evasive, dismissive, or impatient when asked about sourcing and credentials is telling you something important.
Red Flags: When to Walk Away
Prescribing Without Evaluation
Any clinic that offers to prescribe peptides without reviewing your medical history, ordering lab work, or conducting some form of consultation is cutting corners that exist for your safety. This isn't conservative medicine --- it's standard-of-care medicine.
"Research Only" Product Sales
Legitimate peptide therapy clinics prescribe medications through licensed pharmacies. If a clinic is selling vials labeled "for research purposes only" or "not for human consumption," they're operating outside of medical practice. These disclaimers exist because the products haven't undergone the quality controls required for human use.
No Follow-Up Protocol
A provider who writes a prescription and disappears isn't managing your care --- they're writing a script. Peptide therapy requires monitoring. IGF-1 levels should be checked for growth hormone peptides. Metabolic markers should be tracked for GLP-1 agonists. Blood glucose should be watched with certain secretagogues. If the clinic has no follow-up schedule, they're not providing therapy --- they're providing access.
Guaranteed Results
No honest provider guarantees specific outcomes from peptide therapy. Biological response varies between individuals. Anyone promising "guaranteed 20 pounds of fat loss" or "100% reversal of aging" is selling, not treating.
Massive Peptide Catalogs
Be cautious of clinics offering 30+ different peptides. Many peptides commonly sold by anti-aging clinics have limited human data. A responsible clinic offers a focused menu of well-characterized compounds and avoids prescribing everything that's technically available.
Pressure to Buy Immediately
If the clinic pushes you to commit during the first visit, purchase a package upfront, or sign up for a long-term program before you've had bloodwork reviewed, the business model is driving the medicine rather than the other way around.
Cash-Only with No Receipts
While peptide therapy is often out-of-pocket, legitimate medical practices provide itemized receipts and superbills. Cash-only with no documentation suggests the practice may not be operating within standard medical billing frameworks.
Green Flags: Signs of a Quality Practice
Willingness to Say No
The best peptide therapy providers will sometimes tell you that peptides aren't right for your situation. If a provider evaluates your labs, reviews your history, and recommends a different approach entirely, that's a sign they're putting your health above their revenue.
Transparent Sourcing
Quality clinics will name their compounding pharmacy and provide Certificates of Analysis on request. They'll tell you whether they use a 503A or 503B facility and explain the difference.
Continuing Education
Providers who attend peptide conferences, maintain IPS membership, or reference current literature are staying current in a rapidly evolving field. The peptide field changes frequently --- what was standard practice two years ago may not be today.
Conservative Dosing
Providers who start with lower doses and titrate up based on response and lab results are practicing good medicine. Aggressive dosing protocols that start at maximum from day one suggest a one-size-fits-all approach rather than personalized care.
Clear Documentation
You should receive written protocols detailing your peptide name, dose, frequency, administration route, cycling schedule, storage instructions, and expected timeline. Verbal-only instructions are insufficient for something you're injecting into your body.
Understanding Peptide Sourcing
Where your peptides come from matters as much as who prescribes them.
503A Compounding Pharmacies
These are traditional state-licensed compounding pharmacies that prepare medications based on individual patient prescriptions. They're regulated by state pharmacy boards and must comply with USP <795> and <797> standards for sterile compounding. Products are made in small batches for specific patients.
503B Outsourcing Facilities
These are FDA-registered facilities that can produce compounded medications in larger batches without patient-specific prescriptions. They must comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements and are subject to FDA inspection. 503B facilities generally offer higher quality assurance than 503A pharmacies because of the stricter manufacturing oversight.
What to Ask About
- Is the pharmacy licensed in its state?
- Is it a 503A or 503B facility?
- Does it follow USP <797> standards for sterile compounding?
- Does it provide batch-specific Certificates of Analysis?
- Is the facility regularly inspected?
A clinic that doesn't know --- or won't tell you --- where its peptides are compounded is not a clinic you should trust with your health.
Telemedicine Peptide Clinics
Telemedicine has expanded access to peptide therapy, especially for patients in areas without local practitioners. But the virtual model introduces unique considerations.
What Telemedicine Can Offer
- Access to specialized providers regardless of your location
- Convenience of at-home consultations
- Often lower consultation costs than in-person visits
- Peptides shipped directly to your door from the compounding pharmacy
What Telemedicine Should Still Include
The virtual format doesn't exempt providers from standard medical practice:
- Full medical history review --- Telemedicine consultations should be thorough, not 5-minute checkbox exercises
- Lab work --- Ordered through local draw stations or mobile phlebotomy services
- Follow-up appointments --- Scheduled at the same intervals as in-person care
- Accessible support --- A way to reach the provider between appointments for questions or concerns
Telemedicine Red Flags
- Consultations lasting under 10 minutes
- No lab work ordered before or during treatment
- Different doctor every visit with no continuity of care
- Peptides shipped from the clinic itself (rather than a licensed pharmacy)
- No state-by-state licensing verification (telehealth providers must be licensed in your state)
State Licensing Requirements
A telehealth provider must hold an active medical license in the state where you are physically located at the time of the consultation. A doctor licensed only in Florida cannot legally prescribe to a patient in California through telehealth. Verify this before your first appointment.
What to Expect: Cost and Insurance
Consultation Costs
| Service | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation (in-person) | $200--$500 |
| Initial consultation (telehealth) | $100--$300 |
| Follow-up appointment | $75--$200 |
| Lab work (basic panel) | $100--$400 (may be covered by insurance) |
Peptide Costs
Monthly peptide costs vary widely depending on the compound, dosage, and pharmacy:
| Peptide Category | Typical Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Growth hormone peptides (CJC-1295/Ipamorelin) | $200--$500 |
| Healing peptides (BPC-157, TB-500) | $150--$400 |
| GLP-1 agonists (compounded semaglutide) | $200--$600 |
| Nootropic peptides (Selank, Semax) | $100--$300 |
| PT-141 | $100--$250 |
Insurance Coverage
Most insurance plans do not cover peptide therapy from anti-aging or optimization clinics because it's considered elective. However, there are exceptions:
- FDA-approved peptides prescribed for on-label indications (e.g., tesamorelin for HIV lipodystrophy, semaglutide for type 2 diabetes) are often covered
- Lab work ordered by a licensed provider may be covered under your regular benefits
- HSA and FSA accounts can sometimes be used for medically supervised peptide therapy
Ask the clinic for a superbill --- an itemized receipt with diagnosis and procedure codes --- that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
Clinic Evaluation Checklist
Use this scorecard when evaluating any peptide therapy provider. A quality clinic should check nearly every box.
| Category | Criteria | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Provider holds active, unrestricted medical license | |
| Specialized training in peptide therapy, functional medicine, or endocrinology | ||
| Member of IPS, A4M, or equivalent organization | ||
| Consultation | Thorough medical history review | |
| Baseline lab work ordered before prescribing | ||
| Realistic discussion of expectations and limitations | ||
| Written treatment plan provided | ||
| Sourcing | Peptides from licensed 503A or 503B pharmacy | |
| Certificates of Analysis available on request | ||
| Clinic can name the compounding pharmacy | ||
| Monitoring | Follow-up appointments scheduled at regular intervals | |
| Lab work repeated during treatment to assess response | ||
| Protocol adjustments based on individual response | ||
| Communication | Clear channel for questions between appointments | |
| Written administration and storage instructions | ||
| Transparent pricing with no hidden fees |
The Regulatory Environment in 2025
The peptide therapy space is changing fast. Understanding the current regulatory environment helps you evaluate which clinics are operating within legal and safety boundaries.
FDA Actions
The FDA has taken several significant steps:
- Drug shortage list changes: Semaglutide and tirzepatide have been removed from the FDA's drug shortage list, ending the enforcement discretion that allowed broad compounding of these GLP-1 agonists. As of mid-2025, 503B facilities can no longer rely on the shortage exception to compound "essentially a copy" of these approved drugs.
- Import alerts: In September 2025, the FDA launched a "green list" import alert targeting illicit GLP-1 active ingredients, authorizing field staff to detain shipments of non-compliant APIs from foreign manufacturers.
- Increased scrutiny of compounding: The agency continues to distinguish between FDA-approved drugs (tested for safety and efficacy in clinical trials) and compounded products (which are not).
State-Level Enforcement
States are actively enforcing peptide regulations:
- Medical boards are suspending licenses of clinics that fail to comply with peptide prescribing standards
- Providers prescribing non-FDA-approved peptides without proper clinical justification face disciplinary action
- Some states have specifically restricted which provider types can prescribe peptide therapies
What This Means for You
A legitimate clinic operates within these boundaries. They prescribe FDA-approved peptides for on-label or well-documented off-label uses, or they work with properly licensed compounding pharmacies for peptides that can be legally compounded. Clinics that seem unaware of or unconcerned by regulatory changes are either ignorant or willfully non-compliant. Neither is acceptable.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a peptide therapy clinic is a medical decision, not a shopping decision. The provider's credentials, their consultation process, where they source their peptides, and how they monitor your care all matter.
Start by verifying the provider's license. Check for specialized training through the International Peptide Society or equivalent organizations. Ask about peptide sourcing and demand to know which pharmacy compounds the products. Expect a thorough initial consultation with lab work before any prescriptions. And insist on a follow-up schedule that includes repeat bloodwork.
The best peptide therapy providers treat this as medicine --- because it is. They'll take time with your evaluation, start conservatively, monitor your response, and adjust based on data. They'll also be honest when peptides aren't the right answer.
If a clinic makes it too easy --- no evaluation, no labs, no follow-up --- that ease comes at the expense of your safety. Walk away and find a provider who takes the same care with your health that you do.
References
- LegitScript. "Guide: Understanding Peptides: A Q&A Guide for Payment Processors." https://www.legitscript.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Peptides-for-Payment-Processors-Guide.pdf
- International Peptide Society. "Find A Practitioner." https://peptidesociety.org/find-a-practitioner/
- SSRP Institute. "Peptide Therapy Certification 2025." https://ssrpinstitute.org/courses/peptide-therapy-certification-2025/
- Dr. Mark Neumann. "12 Tips for Finding Peptide Therapy Near You." https://www.drmarkneumann.com/12-tips-for-finding-peptide-therapy-near-you
- NCPA. "FDA ends compounding discretion for tirzepatide, maintains discretion for semaglutide." https://ncpa.org/newsroom/qam/2025/03/13/fda-ends-compounding-discretion-tirzepatide-maintains-discretion
- Empire On-Demand. "Peptide Therapies in 2025: What's Legal, What's Experimental." https://empireondemand.com/blogs/posts/peptide-therapies-in-2025-whats-legal-whats-experimental-and-what-the-science-says
- Oath Peptides. "Can I Get Peptides Through Telemedicine Legally?" https://oathpeptides.com/2026/01/27/can-i-get-peptides-through-telemedicine-legally/
- Vitalize Medical. "The Ultimate Guide to Peptides 2025: Types, Benefits, and FDA Regulations." https://vitalizemedical.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-peptides-2025-types-benefits-and-fda-regulations/
- Frier Levitt. "The Return of 503B Compounding of GLP-1 Medications." https://www.frierlevitt.com/articles/the-return-of-503b-compounding-of-glp-1-medications/
- UPMC HealthBeat. "What Is Peptide Therapy?" https://share.upmc.com/2026/01/peptide-therapy/