Guidelines for opening a school related to cosmetology or barbering

These guidelines are meant to provide prospective schools with an overview of the school licensure process.  

Before applying to open an advanced, aesthetics, cosmetology, barbering, electrology, or manicuring school in Massachusetts, make sure to review all statutes and regulations listed in Massachusetts General Law c. 112 87T to 87KK and 240 CMR 2.00 to 11.00.

Application process

1. Submit the following documents to cosmetologyandbarberingboard@mass.gov:
   1. Floor plan- We no longer conduct preliminary inspections or require a preview of floor plans. Instead, please submit the following:
      1. A detailed floor plan indicating the total square footage (ensure the space meets the minimum required square footage)
      2. Photographs of the proposed space
   2. School Catalog (annotated per checklist)
   3. Catalog checklist
   4. Enrollment Agreement (annotated per checklist)
   5. Enrollment checklist
   6. Curriculum

2. Upon receipt of the above documents, you will be scheduled to meet with the Board for review. At that meeting, the Board will either vote to advance your application or ask you to return the following month if additional changes are required.

   Please review the criteria carefully. If, after two rounds of review, your materials are still incomplete or do not meet the requirements, the Board may vote to administratively deny your application. You would then be required to restart the application process after a period designated by the Board.

3. Once the Board votes to accept the above documents, you will be required to submit the following:
   1. Application & payment
   2. Criminal offender record information (CORI) request
   3. School Bond Form (It is required that the Board-approved bond form be used.)
   4. Certificate of Occupancy
   5. Copies of Instructor licenses
   6. List of enrolled students signed by the applicant
4. Once all of the above are received and approved, an agency inspector will then contact you directly to conduct the final inspection.
5. If the space passes inspection, all documents are in order, and your CORI review is satisfactory, your school license will be issued.