The salon and barber shop industry has many regulations and licensing requirements designed to ensure the safety of employees and clients. Rules are set by state boards and vary depending on the type of business you’re operating, the breadth of services offered and where your business is located. And certain professions within the industry require specialty licensing while others may not need any licensing at all.
To obtain a license, most states require attendance at an approved vocational school, a specific number of hands-on training hours and passing grades on the state’s board exams. Some states may allow you to accrue training hours through apprenticeships instead of classroom study. After getting your license, you may have to meet continuing education requirements to renew your license, while some states merely ask that you pay a renewal fee.
In addition to licensing for individuals, you must hold the proper certifications and licenses required by your state. This could include health inspection certification, building code compliance certification, and a business owner’s license, among others.
Mitigation Measures
- State cosmetology and barbering boards are charged with regulating the salon and barber shop industry and providing consumer protections. Rules and regulations change frequently, so be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest requirements for your state.
- State boards have consumer complaint resolution processes that may include sending inspectors to your business, conducting hearings and charging fines for non-compliance. Keep your salon or barber shop compliant with state regulations to limit any potential liability from formal customer complaints.
- Read about state legislative and regulatory updates on the Professional Beauty Association’s Advocacy Web page.
- To keep up with federal safety standards enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), make continuing education a requirement for all of your licensed professionals.
