Part VI. Standards of Practice
18VAC41-20-260. Display of license.
A. Each shop, salon, or school shall ensure that all current licenses, certificates, or permits issued by the board shall be displayed in plain view of the public either in the reception area or at individual work stations of the shop, salon, or school. Duplicate licenses, certificates, or permits shall be posted in a like manner in every shop, salon, or school location where the regulant provides services.
B. Each shop, salon, or school shall ensure that no employee, licensee, student, or apprentice performs any service beyond the scope of practice for the applicable license.
C. All licensees, certificate holders, and permit holders shall operate under the name in which the license, certificate, or permit is issued.
D. Unless also licensed as a cosmetologist, a barber or master barber is required to hold a separate nail technician or wax technician license if performing nail care or waxing.
E. All apprenticeship cards issued by the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) shall be displayed in plain view of the public either in the reception area or at individual work stations of the shop or salon. The apprentice sponsor shall require each apprentice to wear a badge clearly indicating his status as a DOLI registered apprentice.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. February 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2019.
18VAC41-20-270. Sanitation and safety standards for shops, salons, and schools.
A. Sanitation and safety standards. Any shop, salon, school, or facility where barber, master barber, cosmetology, or nail or waxing services are delivered to the public must be clean and sanitary at all times. Compliance with these rules does not confer compliance with other requirements set forth by federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations as they apply to business operation, physical construction and maintenance, safety, and public health. Licensees shall take sufficient measures to prevent the transmission of communicable and infectious diseases and comply with the sanitation standards identified in this section and shall ensure that all employees likewise comply.
B. Disinfection and storage of implements.
1. A wet disinfection unit is a container large enough to hold a disinfectant solution in which the objects to be disinfected are completely immersed. A wet disinfection unit must have a cover to prevent contamination of the solution. The solution must be an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal. Disinfectant solutions shall be used according to manufacturer's directions.
2. Disinfection of multiuse items constructed of hard, nonporous materials such as metal, glass, or plastic that the manufacturer designed for use on more than one client, including clippers, scissors, combs, and nippers is to be carried out in the following manner prior to servicing a client:
a. Remove all foreign matter from the object, utilizing a brush if needed. Drill bits are to be soaked in acetone and scrubbed with a wire brush to remove all foreign matter;
b. Wash thoroughly with hot water and soap;
c. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel;
d. Fully immerse implements into solution for a minimum of 10 minutes; and
e. After immersion, rinse articles, dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel, and store in a clean, predisinfected, and dry cabinet, drawer, or nonairtight covered container, or leave instruments in an EPA-registered disinfection storage solution used according to manufacturer's directions.
3. Single-use items designed by the manufacturer for use on no more than one client should be discarded immediately after use on each individual client, including powder puffs, lip color, cheek color, sponges, styptic pencils, or nail care implements. The disinfection and reuse of these items is not permitted and the use of single-use items on more than one client is prohibited.
4. For the purpose of recharging, rechargeable clippers may be stored in an area other than in a closed cabinet or container. This area shall be clean and the cutting edges of any clippers are to be disinfected.
5. Electrical clipper blades shall be disinfected before and after each use. If the clipper blade cannot be removed, the use of a spray or foam used according to the manufacturer's instructions will be acceptable, provided that the disinfectant is an EPA-registered disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal, and that the entire handle is also disinfected by wiping with the disinfectant solution.
6. All wax pots shall be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal and with no sticks left standing in the wax at any time. The area immediately surrounding the wax pot shall be clean and free of clutter, waste materials, spills, and any other items that may pose a hazard.
7. Each barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, and wax technician must have a wet disinfection unit at his station.
8. Sinks, bowls, tubs, whirlpool units, air-jetted basins, pipe-less units, and non-whirlpool basins used in the performance of nail care shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. They shall be cleaned and disinfected immediately after each client in the following manner:
a. Drain all water and remove all debris;
b. Clean the surfaces and walls with soap or detergent to remove all visible debris, oils, and product residue and then rinse with water;
c. Disinfect by spraying or wiping the surface with an EPA-registered disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal; and
d. Wipe dry with a clean towel.
C. General sanitation and safety requirements.
1. Service chairs, wash basins, shampoo sinks, workstations and workstands, and back bars shall be clean;
2. The floor surface in all work areas must be of a washable surface other than carpet. The floor must be kept clean and free of hair, nail clippings, dropped articles, spills, clutter, trash, electrical cords, other waste materials, and any other items that may pose a hazard;
3. All furniture, fixtures, walls, floors, windows, and ceilings shall be clean and in good repair and free of water seepage and dirt. Any mats shall be secured or shall lie flat;
4. A fully functional bathroom in the same building with a working toilet and sink must be available for clients. There must be hot and cold running water. Fixtures must be in good condition. The bathroom must be lighted and sufficiently ventilated. If there is a window, it must have a screen. There must be soap and clean single-use towels or hand air-drying device for the client's use. Laundering of towels is allowed, space permitting. The bathroom must not be used as a work area or for the open storage of chemicals. For facilities newly occupied after January 1, 2017, the bathroom shall be maintained exclusively for client use or shared with other businesses in the same building. If the bathroom is shared, the bathroom shall be available for client use and within 200 feet of the entrance and must adhere to all sanitation requirements of this chapter;
5. General areas for client use must be neat and clean with a waste receptacle for common trash;
6. Electrical cords shall be placed to prevent entanglement by the client or licensee, and electrical outlets shall be covered by plates;
7. All sharp tools, implements, and heat-producing appliances shall be in safe working order at all times, safely stored, and placed so as to prevent any accidental injury to the client or licensee;
8. The salon area shall be sufficiently ventilated to exhaust hazardous or objectionable airborne chemicals, and to allow the free flow of air; and
9. Adequate lighting shall be provided.
D. Articles, tools, and products.
1. Clean towels, robes, or other linens shall be used for each patron. Clean towels, robes, or other linens shall be stored in a clean, predisinfected, and dry cabinet, drawer, or nonairtight covered container. Soiled towels, robes, or other linens shall be stored in a container enclosed on all sides including the top, except if stored in a separate laundry room;
2. Whenever a haircloth is used, a clean towel or neck strip shall be placed around the neck of the patron to prevent the haircloth from touching the skin;
3. Soiled implements must be removed from the tops of work stations immediately after use;
4. Lotions, ointments, creams, and powders shall be labeled and kept in closed containers. A clean spatula, other clean tools, or clean disposable gloves shall be used to remove bulk substances such as creams or ointments from jars. Sterile cotton or sponges shall be used to apply creams, lotions, and powders. Cosmetic containers shall be covered after each use;
5. For nail care, if a sanitary container is provided for a client, the sanitary container shall be labeled and implements shall be used solely for that specific client. Disinfection shall be carried out in accordance with subdivisions B 1 and B 2 of this section;
6. No substance other than a sterile styptic powder or sterile liquid astringent approved for homeostasis and applied with a sterile single-use applicator shall be used to check bleeding; and
7. Any disposable material making contact with blood or other body fluid shall be disposed of in a sealed plastic bag and removed from the shop, salon, school, or facility in accordance with the guidelines of the Virginia Department of Health.
E. Chemical storage and emergency information.
1. Shops, salons, schools, and facilities shall have in the immediate working area a binder with all Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provided by manufacturers for any chemical products used;
2. Shop, salons, schools, and facilities shall have a blood spill clean-up kit in the work area that contains at minimum latex gloves, two 12-inch by 12-inch towels, one disposable trash bag, bleach, one empty spray bottle, and one mask with face shield or any Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved blood spill clean-up kit;
3. Flammable chemicals shall be labeled and stored in a nonflammable storage cabinet or a properly ventilated room; and
4. Chemicals that could interact in a hazardous manner (e.g., oxidizers, catalysts, and solvents) shall be labeled and separated in storage.
F. Client health guidelines.
1. All employees providing client services shall cleanse their hands with a soap product prior to providing services to each client. Licensees shall require that clients for nail care services shall cleanse their hands immediately prior to the requested nail care service;
2. An artificial nail shall only be applied to a healthy natural nail;
3. A nail drill or motorized instrument shall be used only on the free edge of the nail;
4. No shop, salon, school, or facility providing cosmetology or nail care services shall have on the premises cosmetic products containing hazardous substances that have been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cosmetic products;
5. No product shall be used in a manner that is disapproved by the FDA; and
6. All regulated services must be performed in a facility that is in compliance with current local building and zoning codes.
G. In addition to any requirements set forth in this section, all licensees and temporary permit holders shall adhere to regulations and guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Division of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
H. All shops, salons, schools, and facilities shall immediately report the results of any inspection of the shop, salon, or school by the Virginia Department of Health as required by § 54.1-705 of the Code of Virginia.
I. All shops, salons, schools, and facilities shall maintain a self-inspection form on file to be updated on an annual basis, and kept for five years, so that it may be requested and reviewed by the board at its discretion.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. February 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 9, eff. February 10, 2020; Volume 39, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2022.
18VAC41-20-280. Grounds for license revocation or suspension; denial of application, renewal, or reinstatement; or imposition of a monetary penalty.
The board may, in considering the totality of the circumstances, fine any licensee, certificate holder, or permit holder; suspend or revoke or refuse to renew or reinstate any license, certificate, or permit; or deny any application issued under the provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter if it finds that the licensee, certificate holder, permit holder, or applicant:
1. Is incompetent, or negligent in practice, or incapable mentally or physically, as those terms are generally understood in the profession, to practice as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician, or to operate a shop, salon, or school;
2. Is convicted of fraud or deceit in the practice or teaching of barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing or fails to teach the curriculum as provided for in this chapter;
3. Attempts to obtain, obtained, renewed or reinstated a license, certificate, or temporary license by false or fraudulent representation;
4. Violates or induces others to violate, or cooperates with others in violating, any of the provisions of this chapter or Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or any local ordinance or regulation governing standards of health and sanitation of the establishment in which any barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician may practice or offer to practice;
5. Offers, gives, or promises anything of value or benefit to any federal, state, or local employee for the purpose of influencing that employee to circumvent, in the performance of his duties, any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance governing barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing as defined in § 54.1-700 of the Code of Virginia;
6. Fails to respond to the board or any of its agents or provides false, misleading, or incomplete information to an inquiry by the board or any of its agents;
7. Fails or refuses to allow the board or any of its agents to inspect during reasonable hours any licensed shop, salon, or school for compliance with provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) or this chapter;
8. Fails to produce, upon request or demand of the board or any of its agents, any document, book, record, or copy thereof in a licensee's or owner's possession or maintained in accordance with these regulations;
9. Fails to notify the board of a change of name or address in writing within 30 days of the change for each and every license, certificate, or permit;
10. Makes any misrepresentation or publishes or causes to be published any advertisement that is false, deceptive, or misleading;
11. Fails to notify the board in writing within 30 days of the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license, certificate, or permit in connection with a disciplinary action in any jurisdiction or of any license, certificate, or permit that has been the subject of disciplinary action in any jurisdiction;
12. Has been convicted or found guilty, regardless of the manner of adjudication in Virginia or any other jurisdiction of the United States, of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury or any felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having elapsed. Review of convictions shall be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. The record of a conviction certified or authenticated in such form as to be admissible in evidence under the laws of the jurisdiction where convicted shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction or guilt;
13. Fails to inform the board in writing within 30 days of pleading guilty or nolo contendere or being convicted or found guilty regardless of adjudication of any convictions as stated in subdivision 12 of this section;
14. Allows, as responsible management of a shop, salon, or school, a person who has not obtained a license or a temporary permit to practice as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician unless the person is duly enrolled as a registered apprentice;
15. Allows, as responsible management of a school, a person who has not obtained an instructor certificate or a temporary permit to practice as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician instructor;
16. Fails to take sufficient measures to prevent transmission of communicable or infectious diseases or fails to comply with sanitary requirements provided for in this chapter or any local, state, or federal law or regulation governing the standards of health and sanitation for the practices of barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing, or the operation of barbershops, cosmetology salons, nail salons, or waxing salons; or
17. Fails to comply with all procedures established by the board and the testing service with regard to conduct at any board examination.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 26, eff. November 1, 2013; Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. February 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2019; Volume 38, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2021.