Starting A Beauty Salon Or Barber Shop

By Author: Paul Keller
Total Articles: 15
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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