All Roll Calls
Yes: 327 • No: 9
MississippiSB 25662026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering; revise various provisions related to.
Sponsored By: Chris Johnson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Business and CommercePublic Health and Welfare
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
18 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 9 mixed.
Easier paths to instructor licenses
Instructor applicants need 600 training hours, down from 1,000, and covered instructors need 12 approved education hours every two years, down from 24. Applicants must still meet the age, education, school, and current-license requirements. The law also removes separate statutory exam-admission provisions for barbering, esthetics, and nail technology instructors; it does not say what process replaces them.
Mississippi licenses for out-of-state professionals
The Board can grant reciprocal licenses to eligible beauty professionals and instructors licensed in another state or territory. Applicants need a license in good standing and must meet Mississippi requirements, including passing a similar exam and paying the reciprocity fee. Instructor applicants can qualify through similar education rules or at least three years of licensed instructor experience.
More routes to beauty licenses
Cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology applicants can qualify with a 10th-grade education or qualifying college enrollment. Applicants must still meet age and training rules. Esthetics school training remains at least 600 hours, but schools no longer need a set split between theory and practice. The Board must make covered exams clear, objective, and consistent.
More time to renew expired licenses
Through December 31, 2026, people with at least 10 years of licensed experience can renew without an exam if their license expired no more than 10 years ago. Starting January 1, 2027, the license can be expired no more than five years. Applicants must pay renewal fees and adjudicated fines and complete required education. Starting in 2027, they also owe a delinquent fee for each expired year.
New safeguards and renewal rules for schools
Covered schools must provide $50,000 in security to cover certain student losses, including advance tuition, and the Board’s actual costs when a school closes. Schools renew licenses every two years and have a 60-day grace period; late renewals require an added fee. The law removes temporary, probationary, conditional, and nonconditional school license categories and their related reporting and student-notice rules.
Lower fines and protection from penalties
A first Class A violation brings a written warning; later fines are capped at $100. First Class B violations bring a warning or a fine up to $150, and later fines are capped at $500. Class C fines are $500 to $750, down from $800 to $1,000. People who passed the required exam are protected from discipline and fines for practicing during a gap in licensing rules. A separate penalty exception ends June 30, 2028.
No initial fee for some applicants
Applicants for an initial cosmetologist, barber, nail technician, or esthetician license pay no initial license fee if they document participation in Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, or the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program. The waiver is available through June 30, 2028.
Temporary permits for trained students
Cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology students can get a temporary permit after completing required training hours and paying the fee. Permits last until the next exam, but no more than six months. Each student can receive only one permit. Temporary instructor permits can also last up to six months instead of 90 days, or until an exam happens sooner.
License holders no longer display licenses
Cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and nail technicians no longer have to display their license at their main workplace under this law.
Fewer required rules for electric nail files
The Board no longer has a statutory duty to make rules for electric nail files used on false or natural nails. This change does not automatically end any existing rules.
New courses required for license renewal
People renewing a covered license after the law takes effect must complete courses on human and labor trafficking and domestic violence. The requirement also applies to the first renewal. The law does not state the course length or cost.
Deadlines for board fee refunds
Refunds for fee overpayments follow rules set by the State Fiscal Officer. For other refunds, people must make a written request within 60 days or lose the fee.
Master licenses end in 2028
The law ends the optional master license path for cosmetologists, barbers, nail technicians, and estheticians. The related continuing-education requirements also end. The repeal takes effect June 30, 2028.
Temporary inactive status for licensees
A registered professional who is not practicing in Mississippi can apply for inactive status when renewing. Inactive licensees cannot practice in the state. To return to active status, they must meet application and education rules or show qualifying practice in another state, and pay a biennial fee. The inactive-status provision ends June 30, 2028; the law also removes an earlier inactive-registration provision.
Who needs a beauty license
The law changes which services count as barbering, esthetics, and nail technology. It also exempts people whose work is limited to makeup, threading, or eyelash extensions. Unpaid services at home for family or friends, and certain off-site services for people confined by illness or deceased people, are also allowed under limited exceptions. The home-service and off-site provisions end June 30, 2028.
More apprentice mentors, firm limits
Apprentices in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology can be mentored by a relevant instructor or a practitioner with at least 15 years of experience. Each mentor can guide up to two apprentices. A licensed salon or barber shop can have no more than two apprentice mentors.
New licensing path for mobile salons
The Board must adopt rules by January 1, 2027, to license mobile salons and barber shops. A mobile business must be affiliated with a permanent salon or barber shop and can serve customers only within a distance set by the Board.
New notice rules for Board meetings
The Board must give meeting notices under the Mississippi Open Meetings Act. This replaces the former requirement for reasonable public notice at least 10 days before a meeting.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chris Johnson
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/20/2026
Concurred in Amend From House
Yes: 45 • No: 0
House vote • 3/10/2026
Passed As Amended
Yes: 119 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
Passed As Amended
Yes: 120 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Passed As Amended
Yes: 43 • No: 9
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor
4/1/2026legislatureEnrolled Bill Signed
3/31/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Signed
3/31/2026SenateUnanimous Consent Granted
3/29/2026HouseUnanimous Consent Granted
3/27/2026SenateConcurred in Amend From House
3/20/2026SenateReturned For Concurrence
3/11/2026HousePassed As Amended
3/10/2026HouseAmended
3/10/2026HouseReconsidered
3/10/2026HouseMotion to Reconsider Entered (Holloway (76th), Yancey, Calvert)
3/4/2026HousePassed As Amended
3/4/2026HouseAmended
3/4/2026HouseTitle Suff Do Pass As Amended
2/26/2026HouseReferred To Business and Commerce
2/16/2026HouseTransmitted To House
2/16/2026SenatePassed As Amended
2/11/2026SenateAmended
2/11/2026SenateCommittee Substitute Adopted
2/11/2026SenateTitle Suff Do Pass Comm Sub
2/3/2026SenateReferred To Public Health and Welfare
1/19/2026Senate
Bill Text
Amendment No 1 (Cmte Sub) (Adopted)
Amendment No 1 to Amendment No 1 (Tabled)
Amendment No 2 (Adopted)
Amendment No 2 to Amendment No 1 (Tabled)
Amendment No 3 to Amendment No 1 (Tabled)
Amendment No 4 to Amendment No 1 (Tabled)
As Introduced
As Passed
Committee Amendment No 1 (Tabled)
Committee Substitute
Enrolled
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