Public Meeting Notice  Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering Meeting - 9.10.26

Microsoft Teams meeting information

Microsoft Teams meeting link  

Meeting ID: 231 040 599 315 28

Passcode:  iM2dX2wz

OR: Dial in to the meeting: +1 857-327-9245  

Phone conference ID: 862 929 131#

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Registration of Cosmetology & Barbering will be convening their monthly meeting.

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering convened a regular monthly meeting on: 

September 10, 2026, Microsoft Teams Meeting

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting.

Informational note: All board members and staff appeared telephonically or by video conference.  All votes were taken by roll call. 

9:32 A.M. Chair Joy Talbot called the open meeting to order.

Board members present: 

• Erinn Breedy
• Heather Cohen
• Nicole Corliss
• Cassia Gilroy
• Toni-Anne Harrison
• Samuel Pierre
• Iris Stowe
• Joy Talbot, Chair

Board members absent:

DOL Staff present: 

• Nicole Manfredi, Executive Director 
• Jamie Dalton, Board Counsel
• John Moreschi, First Deputy Commissioner, Chief of Staff & Special Counsel
• Sarah Wilkinson, Commissioner

1. Ms. Manfredi stated that the meeting was being conducted virtually pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law and applicable guidance. She further advised that the meeting was being recorded by the agency for public record purposes and that attendees remaining in the meeting were consenting to participation in the public record. Attendees wishing to make their own recording were instructed to identify themselves to the Board.
2. The Chair reviewed conference call and open meeting protocol with meeting attendees.

3. Executive Director report

   Mrs. Manfredi had nothing to report.

4. Board Counsel report

Attorney Dalton had nothing to report.

5. Approval of Minutes
   1. August 13, 2026
   2. Minutes from the August 13, 2026 Public Session were discussed. A motion was made to accept the minutes as written by Ms. Corliss and seconded by Ms. Cohen. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

6. Discussion Items
   1. Schools- none
   2. Applicants- none
   3. Other

      1. PSI Examination Score Data Review

         In April, PSI presented score data related to the new national examination. At that time, the Board discussed concerns regarding a potential decline in Massachusetts candidate scores following implementation of the new examination. PSI reviewed the examination changes, confirmed that the Board’s previously identified concerns had been considered during development, and agreed to continue monitoring Massachusetts candidate performance.

         The Board reviewed updated examination data and noted that, although the data remains preliminary, candidate scores appear to have declined overall. The discussion also included best practices for test administration for candidates whose primary language is not English, including considerations related to language accessibility.

         The Board agreed to review the examination data again in April, allowing additional time to collect sufficient data and better assess performance trends.

      2. Apprentice Program Proposal

         The Board continued its review and discussion of the proposed Apprentice Program. Attorney Dalton will incorporate today's suggested revisions, and the Board will continue its review at the October public meeting.

      3. Distance Learning Policy

         The Board continued its review of the current Distance Learning Policy. Members had previously been asked to review the theory hours associated with their respective fields of practice for consideration in evaluating the policy. Members indicated that they were unable to complete the review and will reprioritize the matter for discussion at the October public meeting.

      4. Mobile Services Policy and Applicant Review

         The Board previously approved a mobile unit that did not include a separate handwashing sink. During the subsequent inspection, OI was unable to approve the unit due to the absence of a handwashing sink. The applicant indicated that the unit had already been constructed, there was insufficient space to add another sink, and the Mobile Unit Bulletin provided did not specifically identify a separate handwashing sink as a requirement.

         It was subsequently discovered that the version of the Mobile Unit Bulletin posted on the Board’s website was outdated. The current version specifically requires “one handwashing sink with hot and cold running water outside of the room with the toilet.”

         A motion was made by Ms. Cohen and seconded by Ms. Gilroy to approve the applicant provided that a sink with hot and cold running water is installed inside the bathroom, with acknowledgement that this approval will not set precedent for future mobile unit applications. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

7. Discussed other matters not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting. No matters presented. 
8. Executive Session closed per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(1); Individual Character Rather Than Competence

A motion was made by Ms. Stowe and seconded by Ms. Cohen to conclude Public Session and move into Executive Session, then to Investigative Conference CLOSED pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 65C and Quasi-Judicial Session CLOSED pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30a, § 18 if required. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

9. Adjournment 

A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Cohen and seconded by Ms. Stowe. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 12:57 P.M.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2026, at 9:30 A.M.

It is anticipated that the topics shown below will be discussed at the aforementioned meeting:

1. Open Meeting Called to Order 
2. Executive Director Report 
3. Board Counsel Report  
4. Review Minutes of the following meetings: 
   1. August 13, 2026
5. Discussion
   1. Schools- none
   2. Applications- none
   3. Other
      1. Discussion: PSI test data review
      2. Discussion: Apprentice Program proposal
      3. Discussion/vote: Distance Learning Policy
      4. Discussion/vote: Mobile Services Policy
6. Topics not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of meeting
7. Executive Session (M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(1)), To discuss individuals’ character, rather than competence
   1. Approval of Meeting Minutes:
      1. August 13, 2026
   2. Applicants
8. InvestigativeConference CLOSED per M.G.L. c. 112, § 65C 
9. Quasi-Judicial Session CLOSED per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 18
10. Adjournment

The next scheduled meeting is October 8, 2026.