Additional Information

Mission

To protect the public welfare by ensuring that only qualified persons are certified, or licensed, and that once licensed these persons uphold the highest appropriate professional standards of practice and competency.

Vision:

To remain the premier regulatory board operating at maximum efficiency, providing exemplary consumer protection and enhanced quality improvement for licensees while recognizing that these are changing times and the nature of professional services must change accordingly.

General Information:

The arts regulated by the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners has been around since the stone age, and have been regulated since the early 1900's. They were regulated for sanitation, and licensure of individuals who were schooled in the proper procedure to enhance a person's appearance. The hair and face are the most conspicuous parts of the human body.

BARBER BOARD

Established by Public Act in 1929. There are 23 barber schools, 2,050 barber shops, and 5,000 master barbers.

COSMETOLOGY BOARD

Established by Public Act in 1939. There are 75 private schools, 65 public schools, 35 vocational schools, 3 correctional schools, 8,550 cosmetology shops, and 51,000 cosmetologists, manicurists, aestheticians and natural hair stylists.

On July 1, 2014, the two boards merged establishing the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.

The Cosmetology professions are facing new challenges on a daily basis, and the emphasis is shifting from the traditional role of regulation to one of awareness and assistance. Because of concerns about communicable diseases, the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners place strict guidelines on the utilization of sterilized equipment, gloves and goggles for all licensees when performing any type service on a client. For up to date information refer to the Americans with Disabilities Act and visit the website at: https://www.ada.gov

The board members inspect all schools regularly explaining and emphasizing to the owner and/or manager the importance and responsibility of teaching rigid sanitation requirements to the students in order to prepare them for performing services on their clients when they enter the work force.

The Field Inspectors are cross trained to inspect both barber and cosmetology schools and shops on an annual and more often as needed basis, for proper sanitation and unlicensed activity. Each Inspector is responsible for approximately 1,000 shops, and are assigned territories. The Inspectors issue citations for unlicensed individuals, shops, and various sanitation reasons. The Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners members have authorized the legal division to issue consent orders ranging from $100.00 for first violation, to $1,000 for unlicensed activity. After the third violation, a formal hearing may be set before the Board which could result in discipline up to and including revocation of license.

The Board receives many complaints, both written and oral. These complaints range from unlicensed individuals employed in a shop or school to - "bad haircuts, bad perms, bad colors, damaged nails and dissatisfied students."

The primary objective of the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners is the safety and welfare of the public.