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Cosmetology and barbering statutes and regulations

See information on policies, licensing, regulations, and governance for cosmetology, barbering, and electrology in Massachusetts.

The Board can only provide the relevant statutes, regulations, and policy materials; it is prohibited from interpreting those requirements as they apply to individual circumstance or providing an advisory opinion. If you are unsure how the applicable requirements apply to a specific license, application, proposal, or other situation, those questions should be directed to your own legal counsel. 

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Statutes governing cosmetology, barbering and electrology

Creation of Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering (M.G.L. c. 13, s. 42)

Information on appointment of board members, terms of service, and candidate requirements

Licensing Provisions for Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering (M.G.L. Chapter 112, Sections 112, Sections 87T to 87KK; Chapter 112, Sections 61 to 65E)

Licensing standards, approval of institutions, disciplinary action, and fee and exam information

Regulations governing cosmetology, barbering and electrology

240 CMR 2.00: Licensure of cosmetologists, manicurists, aestheticians, demonstrators and instructors

Requirements for cosmetology, aesthetics, and manicuring licenses, and general requirements for all board licenses

240 CMR 3.00: Cosmetology salons

Cosmetology, manicuring, and aesthetic salon licensing and operating requirements

240 CMR 4.00: Operation of cosmetology schools and post-secondary institutions

Licensure, operations, and curriculum requirements for public vocational secondary and public post-secondary school programs

240 CMR 5.00: Operation of aesthetic schools and post-secondary institutions

Licensure and operations requirements for aesthetics schools

240 CMR 6.00: Advanced seminars

Licensure and operations requirements for programs offering advanced instruction to licensed cosmetologists, aestheticians, manicurists, or barbers

240 CMR 7.00: Operation of manicuring schools

License requirements for manicuring schools

240 CMR 8.00: Barber regulations

Barber eligibility requirements for individuals, general provisions, and licensure information for barber shops and barber schools

240 CMR 9.00: Administrative practices for electrolysis

General regulations for electrology, including license renewal, and applying to open an office or become an instructor

240 CMR 10.00: Licensure of electrolysis schools

Application details and board standards for evaluating electrology schools for licensure

240 CMR 11.00: Continuing education for electrolysis

Continuing Education Requirements for Electrology

Cosmetology, Barbering, and Electrology regulations in Effect Prior to June 1, 2019

Restrictions enforced before June of 2019

General policies and guidelines

Policy on Practices Outside the Scope of Licensure

Regulations on procedures that cosmetologists, manicurists, aestheticians, barbers, and electrologists can perform

Policy Bulletin on Mobile Services

Mobile Cosmetology and Barbering Services, Requirements, Licensing, and Restrictions

Policy on Review of Applicants with Criminal History or Pending Criminal Charges (CORI Policy)

Guidance on conditions under which an applicant with a history of criminal convictions must be reviewed further by the board

Intense Pulsed Light Devices

Licensed aesthetician, cosmetologist and electrologist provisions for using Intense Pulsed Light (“IPL”) technology

Policy on Advertising of Businesses Located Within Shops

Requirements for those operating a business or offering services under a name that is different from the name of the shop they are working in

Policy on English Language Testing and Translation Dictionaries

Requirements of dictionary allowed and how it may be used for exams

School and education policies

Policy on Student Apprenticeship and Employment

Apprentice and shop-employed student program requirements and restrictions

Policy on School Closure Procedures

Responsibilities of schools that are closing and information for students affected by closure

Policy on School Programs Over Minimum Program Length

Requirements for licensed schools and post-secondary institutions offering programs with more than the minimum number of hours required for licensure

Policy on Credit for Off-Site Hours

Conditions under which a student can earn required curriculum hours at an event at a non-school location

Policy on Distance Based Learning

Guidelines for asynchronous, synchronous, hybrid, distance-based, and in-person learning

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