New York State Appearance Enhancement Law, Rules, and Salon Business Practices
Licensing
New York regulates appearance enhancement, including cosmetology, esthetics, nail specialty, natural hair styling, and waxing, through the Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. A cosmetology license requires an approved course of roughly 1,000 hours plus passing written and practical exams. The individual license must be displayed at the work station. The shop holds its own appearance enhancement shop license and is subject to sanitation inspection, sometimes unannounced. Work only within the scope of your license.
Business practices
Know employee versus independent contractor. An employee is on the shop's payroll, with taxes withheld and coverage provided by the shop. An independent contractor rents space, sets their own schedule, and still must hold a current license. Keep records, post clear prices, advertise honestly, and carry liability coverage. Follow the sanitation rules in the NYCRR on disinfectants, closed containers, and safe practices.
Traps
Common question traps include working with no displayed license, performing services outside your license, assuming the shop license covers individual workers, and misstating what a shop owner must provide for renters.
Rule of thumb
A nail technician renting a chair needs her own current license displayed at her station, and the shop still must be licensed and pass inspection.