What Equipment Do I Need To Open A Salon Or Barber Shop?
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. 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.
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 is 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/
