Schools

Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Board

Before starting the application process, it is imperative to have a working knowledge of the laws and rules of the State Board of Cosmetology and Barber examiners. For more information, please visit the Rules & Laws page. Legislative updates have a significant impact on our industry, so we highly encourage you to stay abreast of any new additions or changes. You can sign up for an email notification for all rule and law changes by visiting the Get Notified page.

Application & Fees

Once you have read and gained an understanding of the rules and laws, complete the initial school application online at core.tn.gov.

All of the required supporting documentation below will need to be submitted to us, as all schools must have approval and be inspected by the Board in order to open.

If you wish to go before a specific board meeting, please make sure to submit all the appropriate paperwork at least a month before that specific board meeting.

Required Supporting Documentation:

  1. Contingency plan that includes teach-out possibilities.
  2. Published admission policies and requirements for licensure.
  3. Written policy of the school’s decision to accept or not accept transfer of credit hours from other institutions.
  4. Legible floor plan (2200 sq. ft. full-service cosmetology school, 1600 sq. ft. barber school, adequate floor space for specialty school-no minimum).
  5. Full cosmetology, specialty, and barber school applicants must submit a blank student enrollment agreement/contract. The agreement must document the following:
    • Age and education level as required under T.C.A. § 62-4-122 and § 62-3-123.
    • Clearly define the school’s refund and cancellation policy. If refunds are part of the agreement, they must be made within 45 days of the last day of the student's attendance.
    • Agreement must clearly detail the rights and obligations of both parties.
    • Number of clock hours in the course of instruction(s) and an approximate number of weeks or months required for completion.
    • Be signed and dated by the student and the school representative.
    • Identify all costs and charges which the student must bear.
    • Indicate grounds for termination of a student by the school.
    • List any special requirements for graduation.
    • Include page numbers and space for the student to initial on each page.
    • Include schools’ policy on how they will maintain sanitary code and the student’s role in those requirements.
    • Contain an initialed acknowledgment by the student that the student has received a complete copy of the student enrollment agreement for their records.
    • Schools’ discrimination and anti-harassment policy.
  6. Proposed days and hours of operation.
  7. Course curriculum. If you are planning to open a specialty school or offer apprentice programs, this will need to be stated as part of the curriculum section.
  8. Sample catalog and/or brochure.
  9. Method and backup method for logging hours earned by students.
  10. Tracking of part-time and full-time students separately.
  11. Copy of your business license issued by the local county clerk’s office.
  12. Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form for each owner(s). This form can be found on the Forms and Downloads page.

Student Kits

Each student, with the school’s assistance, shall be required to have a kit pursuant to 0400-01-.07 and 0200-01-.15 after 200 hours of enrollment in a cosmetology program; after 100 hours in a barber and manicure program; after 150 hours in an aesthetics program; after 50 hours for barber technicians and natural hair stylists. Refer to the Rules for the list of items.

Transcripts and Transfer/Withdrawal Forms

Every school or college shall, upon completion or discontinuance of the course of instruction by a student, furnish him or her a transcript showing accumulated hours of instruction.

The school or college shall simultaneously furnish a Transfer/Withdrawal form to the Board office for the student's file to be created when a student transfers or withdraws from school. All students who complete hours and meet their contact obligations with the school should be uploaded to the testing vendor. Nothing extra is required by the Board for students who are released to test.

Needed Equipment

  • One (1) workstation with an adjustable chair per student working on the clinic floor with a minimum of fifteen (15) stations.
  • Five (5) shampoo basins, with hot and cold running water, adequately spaced.
  • Five (5) manicure stations.
  • A minimum of five (5) working hooded dryers.
  • One (1) straight chair in the theory classroom for each student attending the class.
  • One (1) wet disinfectant at each student workstation.
  • One (1) enclosed and labeled storage area for clean towels.
  • One (1) covered and labeled container for soiled towels.
  • One (1) covered trash container maintained in a sanitary condition.
  • One (1) enclosed dry sanitary compartment at each student workstation.
  • One (1) ultraviolet sanitizer.
  • Time sheet/time clock.
  • A minimum of one (1) working restroom.
  • One (1) first aid kit.
  • Sufficient facial steamers.
  • One (1) suction machine or a Level I or II Microdermabrasion machine.
  • One (1) light-based device with the manufacturer’s intended commercial use statement for hair removal and skin enhancement of the face and body.
  • Sufficient protective eyewear recommended by the manufacturer of laser/light devices for each student and instructor.
  • One (1) LED light with the manufacturer's intended use statement for skin improvement.\\
  • One (1) wax depilatory heater pot with the manufacturer’s intended commercial use statement.
  • One (1) hands-free magnifying lamp.
  • One (1) hot towel cabinet.
  • One (1) reclining facial chair/table.
  • One (1) electric brushing machine or sonic brushing device.
  • One (1) sink which provides hot and cold running water other than the bathroom.
  • One (1) ultraviolet sanitizer.
  • One (1) covered trash container maintained in a sanitary condition at each teaching station.
  • Sufficient work area for each student.
  • One (1) covered and labeled container for soiled towels.
  • One (1) wet disinfectant.
  • One (1) professional makeup station representing a color matrix palette of makeup products.
  • Sufficient disposable applicators for product application.
  • One (1) skin care product kit containing two (2) products from each category: cleansers, astringents and toners, moisturizer, problem prep, and protective products.
  • One (1) Autoclave instrument sanitizer.
  • One (1) first aid kit.
  • One (1) workstation per student working on the clinic floor.
  • One (1) straight chair in the theory classroom for each student attending class.
  • One (1) wet disinfectant at each student workstation.
  • One (1) enclosed and labeled storage area for clean towels.
  • One (1) covered and labeled container for soiled towels.
  • One (1) covered trash container maintained in a sanitary condition at each student workstation.
  • One (1) enclosed dry sanitary compartment at each student workstation.
  • Time sheet/time clock.
  • A minimum of one (1) working restroom.
  • One (1) first aid kit.
  • Sufficient facial steamers.
  • One (1) suction machine or a Level I or II Microdermabrasion machine.
  • One (1) light-based device with the manufacturer’s intended commercial use statement for hair removal and skin enhancement of the face and body.
  • Sufficient protective eyewear recommended by the manufacturer of laser/light devices for each student and instructor.
  • One (1) LED light with the manufacturer’s intended use statement for skin improvement.
  • One (1) wax depilatory heater pot with the manufacturer’s intended commercial use statement.
  • One (1) hands-free magnifying lamp.
  • One (1) hot towel cabinet.
  • One (1) reclining facial chair/table.
  • One (1) electric brushing machine or sonic brushing device.
  • One (1) sink which provides hot and cold running water other than the bathroom.
  • One (1) ultraviolet sanitizer.
  • One (1) professional makeup station representing a color matrix palette of makeup products.
  • One (1) Autoclave instrument sanitizer.
  • One (1) skin care product kit containing two (2) products from each category: cleansers, astringents and toners, moisturizers, problem prep, and protective products.
  • Sufficient disposable applicators for product application.
  • One (1) workstation per student working on the clinic floor.
  • One (1) straight chair in the theory classroom for each student attending class.
  • Two (2) shampoo bowls with hot and cold running water and chairs in the work area.
  • Two (2) working hooded dryers.
  • One (1) enclosed and labeled storage area for clean towels.
  • One (1) covered and labeled container for soiled towels.
  • One (1) covered and labeled trash container maintained in a sanitary condition.
  • One (1) dry sanitary compartment at each student workstation.
  • One (1) wet disinfectant.
  • One (1) ultraviolet sanitizer.
  • One (1) first aid kit.
  • A minimum of one (1) working restroom.
  • A time sheet/time clock.
  • A minimum of one (1) working restroom.
  • One (1) workstation with an adjustable chair per student working on the clinic floor, with a minimum of fifteen (15) stations.
  • Five (5) shampoo basins adequately spaced with hot and cold running water.
  • Two (2) manicure stations.
  • Two (2) hooded dryers.
  • One (1) straight chair in the theory classroom for each student attending class.
  • One (1) wet disinfectant at each student workstation.
  • One (1) enclosed and labeled storage area for clean towels.
  • One (1) covered and labeled container for soiled towels.
  • One (1) covered trash container maintained in a sanitary condition.
  • One (1) ultraviolet sanitizer.
  • Posted sign stating that all barber services are performed by students.
  • One (1) dry sanitary compartment at each student workstation.
  • A time sheet/time clock.
  • One (1) first aid kit.