Opening a barbershop or even a salon can be a challenging job. There are many rules and regulations governing the industry usually set by the state boards and by the city codes and ordinances. Many cities have barbering educators who are licensed to teach in their shop or school and who have a wealth of knowledge of what’s required in your city to be able to run a violation free shop. They typically love the business and love talking about it. If you can seek out their support you will have an advantage in getting started.
Requirements for Starting a Beauty Salon/Barber Shop
Now lets talk about learning the old fashion way and researching it yourself by reading the rules and regulations. The best sources for finding information regarding specific requirements is from your State Boards or Regulatory Commission. But you still have to deal with your city or town building and occupancy codes to get a “C of O” approval (Certificate of Occupancy). We have compiled an alphabetical list by States and their web addresses related to the regulation of barbering and cosmetology.
Remember each state requires different things but some important safety items have been a Sharps Container (used razor blade disposal), certificates / licenses displayed and have on file a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for every chemical you use. Below are some of the general items from an equipment standpoint.
Lets start with the Basics or MUST have items:
• A shampoo sink / chair combo with hot and cold running water
• A styling chair, all purpose chair or barber chair, one per person
• One hand held or hood dryer with or without the chair
• One work station (wall mount, stationary), per person
• A disinfectant container with disinfectant or sterilizing solution
• Seating accommodations in reception area
• Cabinet for clean towels and supplies
• A receptacle for used towels
• Reception Desk
• Floor Mats
• Child Booster Seat
The best places to get the information you need on the equipment requirements for a Salon or Barbershop in your local Chamber of Commerce and your state board.
The following links are to all of the State Boards:
Alabama www.aboc.state.al.us
Alaska www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pbah.htm
Arizona www.cosmetology.state.az.us
Arkansas www.arkansas.gov/cos
California www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
Colorado www.dora.state.co.us/barbers_cosmetologists
Connecticut www.ct-clic.com
Delaware www.dpr.delaware.gov/boards/cosmetology/index.shtml
District of Columbia www.asisvcs.com/indhome_fs.asp?CPCAT=2009STATEREG
Florida www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/cosmo/cos_index.shtml
Georgia www.sos.georgia.gov/plb/cosmetology/default.htm
Hawaii www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/barber
Idaho www.adm.idaho.gov
Illinois www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/cosmo.asp
Indiana www.in.gov/pla/2302.htm
Iowa www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/board_home.asp?board=cos
Kansas www.kansas.gov/kboc
Kentucky www.kbhc.ky.gov/schools.htm
Louisiana www.lsbc.louisiana.gov
Maine www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/barbers/index.htm
Maryland www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/cos.html
Massachusetts www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/hd/index.htm
Michigan www.michigan.gov/cosmetology
Minnesota www.bceboard.state.mn.us
Mississippi www.msbc.state.ms.us
Missouri www.pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp
Montana www.mt.gov/dli/bsd/license/bsd_boards/cos_board/contacts.asp
Nebraska www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/mhcs/cosindex.htm
Nevada www.cosmetology.nv.gov
New Hampshire www.nh.gov.cosmet
New Jersey www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/nonmedical/coshair.htm
New Mexico www.rld.state.nm.us/barber_cosmo/index.html
New York http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/professions/barber/barber.html
North Carolina www.cosmetology.state.nc.us
North Dakota http://www.nd.gov/sos/licensing
Ohio www.cos.ohio.gov
Oklahoma www.cosmo.state.ok.us
Oregon http://www.oregon.gov/OHLA/COS/index.shtml
Pennsylvania www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&q=432561
Rhode Island www.health.ri.gov/hsr/professions/hair_barb.php
South Carolina www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/cosmetology
South Dakota www.state.sd.us/dol/boards/cos
Tennessee www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/cosmo/index.html
Texas www.state.tx.us/category.jsp?categoryId=9.3
Utah www.business.utah.gov/business//starting.html
Vermont www.vtprofessionals.org/opr1/cosmetologists
Virginia http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/bnc_main.cfm
Washington www.dol.wa.gov/business/cosmetology/lawsrules.html
West Virgina www.wvdhhr.org/wvbc
Wisconsin www.drl.wi.gov/boards/bac
Wyoming www.cosmetology.state.wy.us
Updated 5/16/08