You asked for the licensure requirements for hairdressers and barbers. You also want to know the requirements for operating a hairdressing or a barber shop.

SUMMARY

Barbers and hairdressers have separate licenses. The Department of Public Health (DPH) issues one license to "master barbers" and another to hairdressers and cosmeticians. Separate laws govern each license category (CGS §§ 20-234 to -249 for barbers; CGS §§ 20-250 to -266f for hairdressers). But the law permits licensed hairdressers to work in barbershops and, conversely, licensed barbers to work in hairdressing shops (CGS § 20-248).

The law establishes similar education criteria for both licenses. Applicants for both must have successfully completed (1) eighth grade or passed an equivalency exam and (2) at least 1,500 hours of coursework in a DPH-approved school. Barbers must also demonstrate sufficient knowledge about common skin and facial diseases and possess requisite skill in haircutting, shaving, and tool preparation. Both licenses require passage of a DPH exam.

DPH maintains a list of all licensed barbers (you can call the barber licensing unit at (860) 509-7569).

HAIRDRESSERS

Licensure Requirements

DPH licenses hairdressers and cosmeticians (CGS §§ 20-250 to 263). "Hairdressing and cosmetology" means, for pay, dressing, arranging, curling, waving, weaving, cutting, singeing, bleaching and coloring the hair and treating the scalp of any person, and massaging, cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, exercising, or beautifying with the use of the hands, appliances, cosmetic preparations, antiseptic tonics, lotions, creams, powders, oils or clays and doing similar work on the face, neck and arms, and manicuring fingernails and, for cosmetic purposes only, trimming, filing, and painting healthy toenails, excluding cutting nail beds, corns and calluses or other medical treatment involving the foot or ankle. Nothing in this definition prohibits an unlicensed person from performing facials, eyebrow arching, shampooing, manicuring the fingernails or braiding hair (§ 20-250 (4)).

While the state refers to this profession as "registered hairdresser and cosmetician," these individuals must actually be licensed. In order to obtain a license, an applicant must (1) have successfully completed the eighth grade or passed an equivalency examination prepared by the commissioner of education and conducted by DPH; (2) successfully completed a course of at least 1,500 hours in a DPH-approved school (see below) or in a school teaching hairdressing and cosmetology under the supervision of the State Board of Education; and (3) passed a written examination satisfactory to DPH. Examinations are prescribed by DPH with the advice and assistance of the Connecticut Examining Board for Barbers, Hairdressers, and Cosmeticians (2 § 20-252; 20-235a).

License applicants who have trained or studied in another state or country with licensure requirements substantially similar to Connecticut's can file with DPH an affidavit from the licensing agency of that other jurisdiction concerning total number of study and training hours and licensed experience completed. The applicant is credited with such hours toward Connecticut's licensing requirements (§ 20-252a).

The initial license exam fee is $ 50; annual renewals are $ 25 (§ 20-252).

A person licensed as a hairdresser and cosmetician, or entitled to perform similar services under a different designation, in another state with licensure requirements substantially similar to Connecticut's can be licensed without examination for a $ 50 fee, if he provides satisfactory evidence to DPH of licensure in that other state and is currently a competent practicing practitioner. But that other state must give the same privilege to Connecticut license holders (§ 20-254).

Hairdressing Shops

A hairdressing shop must be operated by a hairdresser and cosmetician licensed for at least two years (§ 20-258). The local health director must inspect a shop annually concerning its sanitary condition. He can collect a fee of up to $ 100 for the cost of the inspection (PA 01-4, June Special Session).

BARBERS

Licensure Requirements

Requirements for barber licensure in this state are (1) graduation from eighth grade (or its equivalent); (2) successful completion of a 1,500 hour course in barbering theory and practice at a Connecticut barber school or any school approved by the examining board with DPH's consent; (3) sufficient knowledge about common diseases of the face and skin so as not to aggravate or spread disease; (4) possessing the requisite skill in haircutting, shaving, and tool preparation; and (5) passage of an examination. Also, the applicant must be free of communicable disease (CGS § 20-236). The initial exam fee is $ 50; annual renewals are $ 25 (§ 20-239).

Barber Shops

A person can operate a barber shop only if he has been licensed for at least two years (§ 20-238). Public Act (01-4, June Special Session) requires the local health director to inspect all barber shop concerning their sanitary condition. The local health director can collect a fee of up to $ 100 per salon for cost of the inspection.

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