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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

21 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 6 costs, 8 mixed.

Easier cross-licensing and out-of-state reciprocity

Licensed barbers and cosmetologists can add the other license after 600 more school hours. If you hold a current license from another state with similar schooling, the board may license you here after you meet Mississippi’s exam and fee rules. Instructor reciprocity needs equivalent training or 3+ years’ experience plus 6 college semester hours and 5 hours on Mississippi board laws. A one‑time temporary teaching permit is available for six months if you lack the college hours. Military‑trained applicants and military spouses get protections under state law.

More ways to train and take exams

The law opens more paths to take the exams and start work. Cosmetology: take the exam at age 16 after 1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours. Esthetics: 600 school hours (100 theory/500 practice) or 1,200 apprenticeship hours. Nail tech: 350 school hours or 700 apprenticeship hours. Apprentices need a licensed mentor with at least 15 years’ experience; one mentor may supervise up to two apprentices, and only two apprentice mentors may work in the same shop. If you finish the required hours and pay the fee, the board issues one temporary permit for up to six months until the next exam; out‑of‑state applicants generally do not get temporary permits.

Updated rules for instructors and permits

Cosmetology instructor training is set at 600 hours. Barber instructor rules allow either two or more years of experience plus 600 hours, or less experience plus 1,000 hours, as specified. The board may issue one temporary instructor permit for up to six months. Instructors must complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years in teacher training; if not, the instructor license may be placed on inactive status until CE is finished.

Makeup, threading, lashes now license exempt

If you only do makeup, threading, or apply or remove eyelash extensions, you are not covered by cosmetology, esthetics, or nail licensing. You can do up to three of these services and stay exempt. No license is needed for these limited services.

Higher fines for unlicensed or illegal work

Violating the chapter is a misdemeanor. The fine is $500 to $1,000, and the court cannot suspend it. The board can ask a court to stop violations and to order you to pay attorney fees, court costs, and investigation costs.

Stronger inspections, fines, and fast suspensions

The board can inspect licensed schools and shops during business hours and hold hearings on violations. Fines come in three classes: $50–$200, $250–$750, and $500–$750 for serious cases like unlicensed practice. You have 30 days to ask for a hearing; unpaid final penalties after 30 days can become a lien. The board can suspend a license without a hearing if there is an immediate public‑health danger, and it can also suspend a license for child‑support noncompliance under state law; those suspensions follow court procedures and are not appealable through the board. You cannot renew until all board fines are paid, and licenses last two years.

Cosmetology schools need $50,000 bond

All cosmetology, barber, esthetic, and nail tech schools must hold a school license and pay fees every two years. Applications must include Social Security numbers. Schools must post a $50,000 surety bond (unless protected by the Mississippi Tort Claims Act), carry professional liability insurance, and meet accreditation or pass-rate rules. Licenses can be temporary, probationary, or conditional for one year, or nonconditional for two years, and time in the first three cannot exceed five straight years. Licenses are not auto-renewed, and the board inspects before issuing. If a school closes a site, it must notify the board within 60 days.

New renewal schedule and required CE courses

Licenses renew every two years with a 60‑day grace period. After one year late, you owe a delinquent fee for each year, up to three years; more than three years late requires re‑examination. Through December 31, 2026, people with 10+ years’ experience may renew without the exam if the license has been expired 10 years or less and they pay fees and finish required education. Starting January 1, 2027, the waiver applies only if the license has been expired five years or less and delinquent fees apply. For any renewal after this law starts, you must also finish two courses: one on human and labor trafficking and one on domestic violence.

New shop licenses and mobile salon rules

All salon and barber shop owners must hold a shop license and pay fees. You have a 60-day grace period to renew. If your license is over one year expired, you must reapply. The board inspects a site before the first license. By January 1, 2027, the board must allow mobile salon and barber shop licenses. A mobile unit must be tied to a permanent shop and can work only within a set distance.

Optional Master license with extra education

You can choose an optional Master license. To get it, hold a current state license for 12 months and complete 16 hours of board‑approved continuing education, then pay the fee. To renew it, complete 8 hours of board‑approved continuing education each licensing period and pay the renewal fee. The law also repeals Section 73‑7‑14 as part of updating this chapter.

Paid disaster leave for board employees

Board employees can get comp time when required to work after hours, per State Personnel Board rules. The board may grant paid administrative leave for jury or witness duty and for severe weather or man-made disasters. Certified American Red Cross disaster volunteers may get up to 20 paid days in any 12 months. Time on Red Cross leave does not count as state employment for workers’ compensation.

Audits and misconduct removals at board

The State Auditor audits the board’s special fund at least once a year. The Governor may request extra audits. The Governor can suspend a board member in default during an investigation and must remove the member if dishonesty, misfeasance, or nonfeasance is found.

Social Security numbers required on filings

Each license and school filing covered by the law must include the applicant’s Social Security number, as required by Section 93-11-64. This applies to individual license seekers and school owners.

Show your license; limits on barber poles

You must display your license where customers can see it. Licenses must show a recent passport‑style photo, your name, and license type. A barber pole may be shown only at a site with a barber license or dual licenses and at least one current barber on staff.

Permit required for in-shop demonstrations

Anyone giving demos in a salon, barber shop, or school must first get a one‑year demonstrator permit from the board and pay the fee. Get the permit before any in‑shop demo.

Inactive license option and reactivation steps

You can move your license to inactive status if you are registered but not practicing in Mississippi. The board keeps an inactive list; only active registrants may practice. To return, either complete board‑approved continuing‑education hours and apply in writing, or show active, good‑standing practice in another state. You must pay the biennial processing fee set by board rules.

Licensing exams run by outside vendors

The board sets when and where licensing exams happen. It must hire outside vendors to run and monitor the exams. Board members cannot give or watch exams. A board member at an exam site cannot get per diem pay for that day.

SSN on applications and a narrow protection

License applications must list your Social Security number as state law requires. If you passed the required exam during a time when no board or rules existed, the law protects you from discipline for that past period.

Safer salon rules and MMA nail ban

The board must get written State Board of Health approval before adopting sanitation rules. The board must ban nail products that contain methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a monomer. Salons and nail techs may need to switch products to stay in compliance.

How the board is funded and staffed

All board fees go into a special state fund; interest stays in the fund, and money is used when the Legislature appropriates it. The board hires a full‑time executive director, and the office is in the greater Jackson area with up to 12 full‑time inspectors. Board employee pay and member per diem come from the special fund. Board members and employees (except investigators) must file a $25,000 bond; the fund pays the premium.

One board now runs cosmetology and barbering

The law creates one State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering with seven members, including the State Health Officer. The Governor appoints six members—three from cosmetology and three from barbering—with district limits. Initial appointments are due by August 1, 2024; terms are staggered, then six years, and the board elects its president. The board must give 10‑day public notice of meetings, consider advice from an industry council, and it can set rules, curricula, and refuse or revoke licenses. This act expires June 30, 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chris Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 327 • No: 9

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

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 43 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/1/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/31/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/31/2026Senate

  4. Unanimous Consent Granted

    3/29/2026House

  5. Unanimous Consent Granted

    3/27/2026Senate

  6. Concurred in Amend From House

    3/20/2026Senate

  7. Returned For Concurrence

    3/11/2026House

  8. Passed As Amended

    3/10/2026House

  9. Amended

    3/10/2026House

  10. Reconsidered

    3/10/2026House

  11. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Holloway (76th), Yancey, Calvert)

    3/4/2026House

  12. Passed As Amended

    3/4/2026House

  13. Amended

    3/4/2026House

  14. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    2/26/2026House

  15. Referred To Business and Commerce

    2/16/2026House

  16. Transmitted To House

    2/16/2026Senate

  17. Passed As Amended

    2/11/2026Senate

  18. Amended

    2/11/2026Senate

  19. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/11/2026Senate

  20. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/3/2026Senate

  21. Referred To Public Health and Welfare

    1/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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