Barber & Cosmetology FAQs

• Who can advertise using a barber pole?
• May a cosmetology shop employ a barber?
• Do I need a license for natural braiding or styling of hair?
• Can I perform piercings at my salon?
• Am I allowed to perform tattoo removal?
• What products should be used for sanitization in place of discontinued products?
• Am I required to hang my license in the shop?
• Will my shop be inspected?
• What does an inspection involve?
• Do I need to have Safety Data Sheets (SDS or MSDS) in my salon?
• How many hours are required for apprenticeships?
• How many hours of training are required at a school?
• Is there a crossover path option for estheticians or nail technicians?
• Can I complete my apprenticeship in another state?
• What is the process to take the national exam(s)?
• What do I need to do to provide lash extension services?
• Does a change of ownership or a shop name change require a new application?
• Does a change in location require a new application?
• I completed my education with a technical center. Can they administer the written and practical exam?
• I completed my education with a licensed school. Can they administer the written and practical exam?
• Why does my school require more hours of education than the State requires for licensure?
• What is considered a mobile shop?
• Is a separate mobile shop license required?
• What type of services can mobile shops offer?
• Does the mobile shop require a vehicle registration with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)?
• Is the vehicle operator required to hold a current and valid driver’s license?
• Are inspections required for mobile shops?
• Is insurance required?
• Can my mobile shop be run out of my personal vehicle?
• If I already have a shop license, do I need to have another separate license to be mobile as well?
• Does a mobile shop license mean I can travel from location to location in my personal vehicle?
• Do I need to register with OPR if my business is already registered with the State of Vermont Corporations/Business Services?

Who can advertise using a barber pole?

A licensed shop that regularly employs a barber. Some shops offer mixed services. OPR takes the position that a barber pole may be used so long as: (1) a barber is regularly on duty for at least half of the shop's operating hours, and (2) members of the public are not led to believe non-barber staff are barbers.

May a cosmetology shop employ a barber?

Yes.

Do I need a license for natural braiding or styling of hair?

You do not need a license for natural hair braiding or styling as long as it does not involve cutting, application of chemicals, dyes, heat, or changes to the structure of the hair. Washing and conditioning are allowable as part of the practice of natural hair braiding or styling.

Can I perform piercings at my salon?

One must be licensed as a body piercer to do most kinds of piercing. But a special exception applies to piercing guns used on the lower lobe of the ear, as long as those guns meet all four of the requirements addressed by Rule 3.5(B) of the Tattooing and Body Piercing Rule.

Specifically, to be used by a person who is not licensed as a body piercer, an instrument must be used on the lower earlobe only and the instrument must:

1. utilize a single-use (disposable) sterile cartridge or capsule containing the studs and butterflies;
2. not allow contact between the gun and the ear. The cartridge or capsule is discarded after each use;
3. be capable of being loaded without touching the studs or stud holders; and
4. be disinfected with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol or a high-level disinfectant after each use.

Piercing by other means requires a piercer’s license.

Am I allowed to perform tattoo removal?

No, a medical professional (such as a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, physician assistant, or physician) must perform these treatments. Please contact the Board of Medical Practice for assistance.

What products should be used for sanitization in place of discontinued products?

Fumigants are not required in shops. Please avoid products containing formaldehyde. Seek alternative sterilizing agents labeled for the use intended.

Am I required to hang my license in the shop?

Yes. The license of a shop or school and all licensees employed there must be conspicuously displayed. All elements of the printed license, including names, public address and license numbers, must be visible.

Will my shop be inspected?

All premises, shops, schools, or facilities licensed by the office, and all sites where services licensed under the rules are provided, are subject to announced or unannounced visits by office inspectors during regular business hours.

What does an inspection involve?

Inspections are typically unannounced and occur during normal business hours. The Inspector will greet the shop manager and provide state credentials prior to beginning the inspection. Inspectors follow a standard evaluation process based on the specific rules and statutes applicable to the profession. These are available here. While a licensee may need to provide direction and clarification for some issues, the majority of the inspection should have little to no effect on business operations. Any discrepancies found will be discussed with the licensee prior to the inspection’s conclusion, and an inspection report will be provided via email within the next 2-3 business days.

Do I need to have Safety Data Sheets (SDS or MSDS) in my salon?

Yes, product SDS information must be easily accessible to staff and emergency personnel in case of an emergency. SDSs are required only for products actually stored in the shop. In view of broad concern about the burdens of printing SDS sheets, digital SDS “binders” will be permitted, as long as a shop complies with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. This generally means that SDSs, however they are kept, must be readily accessible to employees for all hazardous chemicals in their workplace. OSHA’s guidance, Hazard Communication: Small Entity Compliance Guide for Employers That Use Hazardous Chemicals, explains that, “if access to SDSs is provided electronically, there must be an adequate back-up system in place in the event of a power outage, equipment failure, or other emergency involving the primary electronic system.” It may be helpful for your shop to designate a person to ensure SDSs are obtained and maintained as required. Shops that comply with OSHA guidance will be regarded as compliant with OPR’s SDS rules, regardless of the medium in which SDSs are kept.

How many hours are required for apprenticeships?

1,125 hours for barber; 1,500 hours for cosmetologists; 750 hours for esthetician; and 300 hours for nail technician.

• Crossover: 300 crossover hours for barber; and 300 crossover hours for cosmetologists.

How many hours of training are required at a school?

750 hours for barber; 1,000 hours for cosmetologists; 500 hours for esthetician; and 200 hours for nail technician.

• Crossover: 150 crossover hours for barbers; and 250 crossover hours for cosmetologists.

Is there a crossover path option for estheticians or nail technicians?

No.

Can I complete my apprenticeship in another state?

No. Vermont apprentices must hold a Vermont apprenticeship license and be under the supervision of a Vermont licensee in a Vermont licensed shop.

What is the process to take the national exam(s)?

1. Apply with OPR and submit all the required documentation.
2. Once you have been approved to sit for the exams, you will receive an email from OPR stating you have been approved to sit, OPR will submit your information to Prometric.
3. Once OPR submits your information to Prometric, you will receive an email on how to register for your exams from Prometric. Visit the Prometric Website for more information.
4. Print the candidate handbook and prep material, found here.

What do I need to do to provide lash extension services?

To provide lash extension services a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician must have adequate education, training, and experience to implement safely and competently. Please see Administrative Rule 13-8.

Does a change of ownership or a shop name change require a new application?

Yes.

Does a change in location require a new application?

Not if the shop is closing at one location and opening at another, under the same ownership and name. However, you will need complete and upload the following to your shop license using the update license feature of your online dashboard for the existing shop:

1. A written explanation of the change with the shops new physical address.
2. A new detailed scaled drawing (on 8.5 by 11-inch paper) of your shop’s floor plan. Your floor plan drawing must include your shop’s name, owner’s name, type(s) of service(s) to be offered at this shop, dimensions of all rooms, location of stations, access, restroom facilities, storage areas, etc. You must indicate the scale used for your drawing (e.g., 0.5-inch equals 1 foot). Keep one copy of your floor plan on the premises for the inspector.
3. A new self-inspection form that answers all questions, indicates pass or fail, and all 4 pages are clearly legible when uploaded.
4. Submit evidence of registration of the name of your business (i.e., trade name, certificate of incorporation, Vermont domestic corporation, certificate of authority, foreign non-Vermont partnership, or LLC). Trade name must match the name that was submitted with the original application.

I completed my education with a technical center. Can they administer the written and practical exam?

Yes, if the technical center is licensed as a school and approved as a testing site.

I completed my education with a licensed school. Can they administer the written and practical exam?

Yes, if the school is licensed in good standing and approved as a testing site.

Why does my school require more hours of education than the State requires for licensure?

A school may offer a curriculum that includes content over and above the core competencies required for licensure. A student enrolled in such a program should plan to complete it before applying.

What is considered a mobile shop?

A mobile shop may be an automobile, RV, or tow-behind trailer specially adapted for the safe, convenient, and accessible provision of professional services. A mobile shop application must demonstrate that the shop can be operated safely and without creating a public nuisance.

Is a separate mobile shop license required?

Yes, each vehicle or mobile premises used as a mobile shop must be individually licensed as such.

What type of services can mobile shops offer?

All services licensed under the rules may be offered in a mobile shop, provided the mobile shop is suitably equipped. An applicant must specify which services will be offered when completing the online application.

Does the mobile shop require a vehicle registration with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)?

Yes, the vehicle must be verified as roadworthy and lawfully registered. Documentation will need to be uploaded into the online application.

Is the vehicle operator required to hold a current and valid driver’s license?

Yes, any person or persons operating the mobile shop must be duly licensed to drive or tow the mobile shop. A copy of the operator(s) license(s) will need to be uploaded into the online application.

Are inspections required for mobile shops?

Yes, once your application is complete with all the required documents, an OPR inspector will contact you to schedule your inspection. Once the inspection is complete the inspector will notify the office directly. You may not practice until all appropriate licenses have been issued by the office. See Administrative Rules for required inspections.

Is insurance required?

Yes, you must hold a valid and current appropriate commercial liability insurance. A copy of this will need to be uploaded into the online application.

Can my mobile shop be run out of my personal vehicle?

A mobile shop must be equipped for the specific purpose of providing licensed services in accordance with the Administrative Rules.

If I already have a shop license, do I need to have another separate license to be mobile as well?

Yes. A shop license is required for each distinct physical location regularly used for the provision of licensed services. In this sense, a mobile shop is no different from a second, fixed shop one town over from the first.

Does a mobile shop license mean I can travel from location to location in my personal vehicle?

No. The intent of a mobile shop is for services to be provided in the licensed mobile shop.

Do I need to register with OPR if my business is already registered with the State of Vermont Corporations/Business Services?

Your registration to conduct business in the State of Vermont is different than your requirement to register with the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR). All Vermont businesses are required to register with the Secretary of State’s Corporations/Business Services Division. This is not your OPR registration.

For more answers to commonly asked questions, please visit our General FAQ page.

For more information, please contact us.