The Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists establishes and enforces safety and sanitation practice standards, which preserve and promote health and safety for the citizens of West Virginia.
The Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists certifies and regulates the education, practitioner and facility standards for barbering, cosmetology, manicuring and aesthetics.
In West Virginia, barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, hair stylists, and aestheticians must hold a valid license issued by the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. Any type of salon or day spa must also hold a valid Board issued license.
All licenses must be displayed at the station in which the individual is working. You may call the Board office and ask for verification or search our licensee database.
If you are not comfortable with what you see in a salon, the best thing to do is leave. Salon services should not hurt, injure, or put you at risk of infection.
CONSUMERS RIGHTS:
All consumers of services offered by West Virginia licensed professionals have a legal right to:
- Receive competent professional services.
- Verify the name and credentials of professionals providing services.
- Receive clear explanations of the services offered and the cost of the services.
- Refuse any services offered.
- File a complaint with the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists regarding a practitioner, facility or an unlicensed individual or facility.
- Request reasonable accommodations to access professional services as outlined in the American Disability Act.
- Be treated with courtesy and respect.
- Have service options and consequences explained.
SERVICES:
- A COSMETOLOGIST may provide the following services:
- Cutting, styling, shaping, arranging, braiding, weaving, dressing, adding extensions, curling, waving, permanent waving, relaxing, straightening, shampooing, cleansing, singeing, bleaching, tinting, coloring, waxing, tweezing, or similarly work on human hair, or a wig or hairpiece, by any means, including hands, mechanical or electrical devices or appliances;
- Applying by hand or with a mechanical or electrical device or appliance, any cosmetics, makeups, oils, powders, clays, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams or chemical preparations necessary for the practice of aesthetics to another person’s face, neck, shoulders, hands, elbows and feet up to and including the knee;
- The rubbing, cleansing, exercising, beautifying or grooming of another person’s face, neck, shoulders, hands, elbows and feet up to and including the knee;
- The wrapping of another person’s body in a body wrap;
- The cleansing, dressing, or polishing of nails of a person; performing artificial nail service; and the cosmetic treatment of the feet up to the knee and the hands up to the elbow.
- A NAIL TECHNICIAN may provide the following services:
- The cleansing, dressing, or polishing of nails of a person;
- Performing artificial nail service; and the cosmetic treatment of the feet up to the knee and the hands up to the elbow.
- An AESTHETICIAN may provide the following services:
- Applying by hand or with a mechanical or electrical device or appliance, any cosmetics, makeups, oils, powders, clays, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams or chemical preparations necessary for the practice of aesthetics to another person’s face, neck, shoulders, hands, elbows and feet up to and including the knee;
- The rubbing, cleansing, exercising, beautifying or grooming of another person’s face, neck, shoulders, hands, elbows and feet up to and including the knee;
- The wrapping of another person’s body in a body wrap.
- A BARBER may provide the following services:
- Shaving, shaping and trimming the beard, or both;
- Cutting, singeing, shampooing, arranging, dressing, tinting, bleaching, or applying lotions or tonics on human hair, or a wig or hairpiece; and
- Applications, treatments or rubs of the scalp, face, or neck with oils, creams, lotions, cosmetics, antiseptics, powders, or other preparations in connection with the shaving, cutting or trimming of the hair or beard.
- A HAIR STYLIST may provide the following services:
- Cutting, styling, shaping, arranging, braiding, weaving, dressing, adding extensions, curling, facial hair trimming, scalp treatments, waving, permanent waving, relaxing, straightening, shampooing, , singeing, bleaching, tinting, coloring, or similarly work on human hair, or a wig or hairpiece, by any means, including hands, mechanical or electrical devices or appliances.
- A BARBER/PERM (BARBER PERMANENT WAVIST) may provide the following additional services:
- The bleaching or tinting of hair; and
- The permanent waving of hair.
ABOUT SERVICES:
- Chemical Services
- When having permanent wave or relaxer services, a preliminary strand test should be taken to determine how the hair will react and to also determine the necessary strength of the product.
- For color services, a patch or allergy test should be done 24-48 hours prior to determine any possible skin reactions. A strand test may also be done to determine processing time and color results.
- For all chemical services, a towel and/or neck strip must be used to keep the protective covering (i.e. cape, drape or smock) from coming in direct contact with the client’s skin. The towel and neck strip will protect the client from solution that may drip during the service.
- Chemical solutions must be removed from the skin immediately on contact. If you feel chemicals dripping on your skin or any burning sensation, inform your stylist immediately.
- Some chemicals may have strong odors. They should not cause discomfort. Salons must have adequate ventilation to remove lingering odors.
- Nail Services
- Nail drills may be used to file artificial nails.
- Technicians must follow manufacturer’s directions and disinfect the bits before and after use to avoid the risk of infection.
- The FDA prohibits the use of products containing methacrylate monomers (LMMA/MMA). If these products are being used you will detect a strong or strange odor. The nails may be difficult to file and artificial nails may not soak off in solvents. These products are toxic. The Board also prohibits the use of these products.
- It should not be painful to have artificial nails removed. If the process causes pain or discomfort, inform your technician immediately.
- Diabetics having nail or pedicure services should inform the technician of their condition so special precautions can be taken.
- Facial Services
- As with any other service, the more information that you provide to your technician, the more pleasant your service can be. Facial treatments, masks and packs may contain a wide variety of ingredients; therefore, it is necessary to inform your technician of any allergies that you may have.
- Discuss in detail any suggested treatments for skin rejuvenation, reducing wrinkles, reducing scars and blotchy skin.
HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES:
The following health and safety guidelines should be observed in a salon/shop:
- A valid salon/shop license should be posted in public view. Copies are not acceptable.
- Licensees should be performing only the services for which they are licensed.
- Salons/Shops should be kept clean. Work areas are to be cleaned after each service.
- Clean towels and linens are to be stored in a closed cabinet or container.
- A clean towel is to be provided for each client.
- Soiled towels and linens are to be disposed in a covered receptacle.
- Each work area is to have clean items and equipment stored separately from soiled ones.
- Combs, brushes and equipment must be kept clean.
- Instruments must be cleaned with soap and water, then totally immersed in disinfectant that has been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as having demonstrated tuberculocidal, bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal activity. Items that cannot be disinfected must be disposed of.
- No patron with definite open sores, exhibiting symptoms of infectious or contagious disease or disorder of the skin, or parasitic infestations should be served unless written permission from a physician has been secured. A doctor’s written permission is required before service is to be provided.
REGARDING COMPLAINTS:
- If you have a complaint about the service or sanitation of a salon:
- First discuss the matter with the salon or facility owner or manager. Many situations can be quickly resolved in this manner. If you are injured, discuss what happened with the person who provided your service. Take photographs of the condition. If necessary, seek medical attention and submit a complaint to the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- A complaint may be filed by email: Danielle.J.Cordle@wv.gov, or by submitting in writing to WVBBC; 1201 Dunbar Avenue, Dunbar, WV 25064. A complaint form may also be completed electronically from our web page.
- Please provide as much information as possible about the situation such as, salon or shop name, address, phone number, licensee’s name, and complete details of the complaint.
- Complaints will be reviewed by the Director and, if necessary, an inspector sent to the location to determine the appropriate course of action to resolve the issue. A complaint may be filed to report any of the following:
- Obtaining a license, permit, registration or certification by fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material facts;
- Being convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude;
- Being guilty of unprofessional conduct which placed the public at risk, as defined by legislative rule of the board;
- Intentional violation of a lawful order or legislative rule of the board;
- Having had a license or other authorization revoked or suspended, other disciplinary action taken, or an application for licensure or other authorization revoked or suspended by the proper authorities of another jurisdiction;
- Aiding or abetting unlicensed practice;
- Engaging in an act while acting in a professional capacity which has endangered or is likely to endanger the health, welfare or safety of the public;
- Unlicensed salon or shop;
- False advertising