Barber Shop

Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Important Information for Shop Applicants

  • All shop owners and managers are expected to know and adhere to the Rules and Laws and have them available to everyone working in the shop. https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/cosmo/rules- and-laws.html
  • Current inspection sheet must be conspicuously posted for the public to see.
  • Current shop license must be conspicuously posted for the public to see.
  • Shop and individual licenses must be current in order to provide service to the public.
  • All licenses must be posted by each workstation.
  • The Board has authorization to write violations to the shop, owner, manager on duty, and individual licensees, if applicable.
  • Violations could result in civil penalties and possible revocation or suspension of your license.
  • Shop applications and application fees are only valid for ninety (90) days. If your shop is not ready for inspection within that time it will be necessary to reapply and pay a new application fee.

Barber Shop Applicants

To submit an initial shop application or change of ownership application, please apply online at www.core.tn.gov. You will be required to register for an account, if you have not already done so, and pay a fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). For all initial shop applications, please complete the online application and pay the corresponding fee at least three (3) weeks before you wish to open your shop for business. All full-service shops must have a licensed master barber acting in the role of manager at all times the shop is open. The owner may occupy the role of manager if properly licensed.

Required attachments:

  • Business license obtained through your local county or city tax agent (i.e. County Clerk’s Office) varies by area.
  • Completed eligibility for entitlements verification form for EACH owner(s). If the business is an LLC or incorporated through the Secretary of State’s Office, you only need to mark the box on page one (1) of the document. 
  • Proof of identity for EACH owner(s) in the form of valid driver’s license or social security card. This is not required if the business structure is an LLC or incorporated through the Secretary of State’s Office.

Inspection: The initial inspection will be made within ten (10) days upon receipt of the online application, and all required supporting documents, by the board office. The Inspector will call you directly to schedule an inspection. Please provide a valid telephone number at which the inspector can contact you. The Board office does not schedule or coordinate shop inspections. IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL NEW SHOPS OR CHANGE OF LOCATION MUST BE INSPECTED AND APPROVED BY AN INSPECTOR OF THE BOARD BEFORE OPENING FOR BUSINESS.

  1. One (1) shampoo bowl with hot and cold running water and a chair;
  2. One (1) enclosed and labeled storage area for clean towels;
  3. One (1) covered and labeled container for soiled towels;
  4. One (1) dry sanitary compartment per station;
  5. One (1) work station and mirror for each operator;
  6. One (1) covered container for trash, maintained in a sanitary condition;
  7. One (1) working restroom;
  8. One (1) wet disinfectant solution container per barber chair;
  9. One (1) ultraviolet sanitizer; and
  10. One (1) labeled sharps container for biohazard material removal at each station.

Tenn. Comp. R. and Regs. 0200-03-.17 allows shops offering limited services to request a waiver of certain equipment subject to approval by the Executive Director. For more information on requesting a waiver for barber shops, please click here.

Sanitation Information

  • No Methel Methacrylate (MMA) is to be used in a shop.
  • Tennessee neither requires nor prohibits the use of formalin as a disinfectant.
  • All tools and implements which have come in contact with blood or body fluids must be cleaned in soap and water and disinfected by complete immersion in an EPA registered bactericidal, virucidal or fungicidal disinfectant that is effective against HIV-1 and human Hepatitis B Virus and is mixed according to the manufacturer’s direction, then rinsed, dried, and stored in clean closed containers or UV sanitizer.

Residential Shops

Residential shops must maintain a separate entrance without requiring passage through any portion of a private residence. Separate restroom facilities must be provided apart from the living quarters. A barber shop located in a residential building must be located on the first floor (street level or one (1) level below) and shall display a sign of sufficient size as to be clearly visible from the street, indicating that it is a shop. Check with local zoning/codes enforcement and HOA, if applicable, to determine if residential shops are permitted.

Important Information on New Construction and Alterations

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ON BEHALF OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION, OFFICE ON THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (Title II, U.S. Code)

  • Public Entities must ensure that newly constructed buildings and facilities are free of architectural and communication barriers that restrict access or use by individuals with disabilities.
  • When a public entity undertakes alterations to an existing building, it must also ensure that the altered portions are accessible.
  • The ADA does not require retrofitting of existing buildings to eliminate barriers, but does establish a high standard of accessibility for new buildings.

Public entities may choose between two (2) technical standards for accessible design: The Uniform Federal Accessibility Standard (UFAS), established under the Architectural Barriers Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, adopted by the Department of Justice for places of public accommodation and commercial facilities covered by Title III of the ADA.

The elevator exemption for small buildings under ADA Accessibility Guidelines would not apply to public entities covered by Title II.

For information concerning the requirements of The Americans with Disabilities Act, contact your local building codes office.