Frequently Asked Questions

Inspections are random and unannounced. Salons and schools are subject to inspection at any time the board deems it necessary to affirm compliance.

As set forth by law, the board directs resources first to the inspection of those licensees who fail to meet the requirements of law, have indicated they present a greater risk to the public, or have otherwise, in the opinion of the board, demonstrated that they require a greater degree of regulatory attention.

Inspections are a condition of your licensure. Per law, all licensees must allow a board inspector, in the exercise of official duties, to inspect the salon or school on the inspector’s arrival. Additionally, all salon or school staff, including the owner, Designated Licensed Salon Manager (DLSM), other licensees, and unlicensed support staff, must cooperate with the inspection.

The length of time an inspection takes depends upon a number of factors including the physical size of the establishment and its layout, the number of staff present or employed, and number and types of services offered. The length of time an inspection takes is not a direct reflection of the condition of the establishment.

Of course there is never a good time for an inspector to walk in, but you certainly do not have to stop what you are doing when they visit you. On the contrary, it would probably be best if you continued taking care of your client. Inspectors aim to be unobtrusive, and they will always be courteous and respectful of both your time and your client’s time.

Inspectors will always introduce themselves, and will always attempt to review preliminary inspection results with the owner, manager, practitioner, or instructor at the end of the inspection. If no one is available, however, you can still expect a written report sent to the email or mail address we have on file.

An inspection report is a written document initially provided to salon or school owners and managers that paints a picture of the condition of an establishment at the time of the inspection.  Board field inspectors conduct inspections and write inspection reports.

According to law, the legislature finds that the health and safety of the people of the state of Minnesota are served by the licensing of the practice of cosmetology because of infection control and the use of chemicals, implements, apparatus, and other appliances requiring special skills and education.  As such, the Board is responsible for inspecting salons and schools to assure compliance with cosmetology statutes and rules.

Inspections are educational in nature, and are an opportunity for business owners, managers, practitioners, and instructors to meet with an inspector and ask questions.

Anyone can request a copy of an inspection report.  To request a copy of an inspection report, email cosmetology@state.mn.us.  In your email, provide your name and the establishment’s name, license number, and address, if available.

Inspectors are knowledgeable of cosmetology statutes and rules, and it is their job to inspect salons and schools.  Inspection reports are final once written and sent to the establishment, owner, DLSM, instructor or other practitioner.

With that said, inspectors are human too, and everyone makes mistakes.  If you feel an inspector was unfair or unreasonable, or if you feel your inspector made a mistake, contact the inspections division manager.

Board field inspectors will:

•         Always wear an official state identification badge
•         Always provide a business card upon request
•      Never accept any type of payment at any time for anything

To help make your inspection go smoothly:

• Have the current salon or school license posted
• Have current practitioner licenses posted
• Ensure your establishment’s latest inspection report is posted in the reception area such that the public may easily view the report in its entirety
• Be prepared to show the inspector your establishment, and to answer infection control questions
• Conduct periodic, random mock inspections of your establishment using the Self Inspection Checklist

According to posting requirements set forth in law, A or B must be true:
    A. the practitioner’s license is posted at their workstation(s), or
    B. the practitioner’s license is posted at the reception area, and
            o the practitioner is wearing a name badge, or
            o the practitioner name is posted at their work station (this can be a business card)

Name badges worn by the practitioner and names posted at practitioner work stations must have the practitioner’s full name as it appears on their Board license.

Your inspection report is a great resource for you and your staff, and it contains notes under each violation stating why a violation was cited.

Law states that disinfected items must be stored in clean, closed containers, cupboards, or drawers.  Alternatively, disinfected items may be stored on a clean towel and covered by a clean cloth towel or clean drape.  Disinfected items must not come into contact with contaminated items or non-disinfected items such as pens, pencils, keys, phones, wallets, or other personal effects.  Storage containers must have solid sides and lids and must be cleaned and disinfected with disinfecting wipes or spray weekly and before use if visibly soiled.

Though the above is not a conclusive list of rules regarding proper storage of implements, you may be cited for a violation if the above is not met. 

Your inspection report is a great resource for you and your staff, and it contains notes under each violation stating why a violation was cited.  These are some requirements set out in law regarding disinfection of implements:

• Only hospital-level, EPA registered disinfectants that are labeled as bactericidal, veridical, and fungicidal may be used.  Alcohol is not an acceptable disinfecting agent.
• Items must always be cleaned prior to being disinfected, and disinfectant must always be used according to the manufacturer’s directions.  This includes contact time, safety precautions, dilution requirements (correct measuring), etc.
• Disinfectants must be made daily and disposed of at the end of the day or immediately if visible debris is present.
• If concentrated disinfectants must be diluted with water, measuring devices must be readily available and used to ensure an effective solution is made per the manufacturer’s directions.
• Implements must be completely submerged in disinfectant for the full contact time listed on the disinfectant’s directions.
• Containers used for disinfecting must be covered.
• Licensees must protect themselves by wearing gloves or using tongs to avoid direct skin contact with the disinfectant and observe all safety precautions in the manufacturer’s directions.

Though the above is not a conclusive list of rules regarding proper infection control, you may be cited for a violation if the above is not met. 

Cleaning rids tools and implements of creams, waxes, powders, dust, and other biodegradable matter that can dilute disinfectants or decrease the effectiveness of a disinfectant.  Disinfectants are tested and registered by the EPA using clean items - not dirty items.  Manufacturer’s directions for all disinfectants require tools and implements be cleaned prior to disinfecting.

Only items made of metal, glass, or hard plastic can be cleaned, disinfected, and then used again.  Implements made from any kind of porous material can never be used twice, regardless of the way they are marketed.

The infection control process can be broken down into three levels.

1.         The first level is cleaning (or sanitizing).  Cleaning is the removal of all soil, dirt, and debris by washing with soap and water, or by using a cleaning agent, then rinsing.
2.         The second level is disinfecting.  Disinfecting is not the same as cleaning or sterilizing.  Disinfecting means the use of an antimicrobial pesticide that eliminates harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses on nonporous surfaces.
3.         The third level is sterilizing - not to be confused with sanitizing.  Sterilizing is the elimination of all microbial life through the use of a machine - often called an autoclave - that uses heat and pressure.

It is important to note that the state of Minnesota does not require cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians to sterilize any tools or implements.  Rather, only the first two infection control levels must be met.  All tools and implements must be cleaned, and then disinfected using an EPA-registered, hospital level disinfectant, according to law and manufacturer’s directions.  Implements made from porous material can never be disinfected or reused.

Yes. Waxing falls within the scope of the practice of esthetics and may be performed by licensed estheticians and cosmetologists in licensed salons. Esthetics is defined as the cosmetic treatment of the stratum corneum of the epidermal layer of the skin surface. The practice of esthetics and cosmetology include:

• cleansing, stimulating, exfoliating, or massaging a person's scalp, face, neck, arms, legs, or trunk by hand or by using a device, apparatus, or appliance, with or without the use of any cosmetic preparation, antiseptic, tonic, lotion, or cream;
• cosmetic care of a person's face, eyelashes, eyebrows, lips, nose, neck, arms, legs, or trunk using a cosmetic preparation, antiseptic, tonic, lotion, powder, oil, gels, paraffin, clay, cream, makeup, or appliance;
• removing hair from a person's body using depilatories, waxes, preparations, sugaring, or tweezing;
• application of makeup or airbrush makeup, extractions, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, eyebrow shaping and trimming, eyelash and eyebrow enhancements, waxing, sugaring, facials, and body wraps; and
• other personal services for the cosmetic care of the skin.

These instruments act as a blade used to shave the skin.  As such, they fall outside the scope of any practice regulated by the Board of Cosmetology and can only be used by a doctor of podiatry.

Inspection reports are emailed by default, but a physical copy may also be mailed.  If you specifically requested your report be sent by snail mail, or if you do not have an email address on file with the Board, you can expect your inspection report within 10 business days.  Emailed inspection reports are typically emailed the same day as the inspection.