HEALTH DEPARTMENT; BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS AND COSMETICIANS;

BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS;

Connecticut laws/regulations;

You asked whether a nail salon must also have a hairdresser in order to operate.

As best as we can determine, nothing in state law requires a nail salon to also have a hairdresser in order to operate legally. The law defines a “nail technician” as a person who, for compensation, cuts, shapes, polishes, or enhances the appearance of the nails of the hands or feet, including, but not limited to, the application and removal of sculptured or artificial nails (CGS § 19a-231(a)(2)). “Salon” means any shop, store, day spa, or other commercial establishment at which the practice of barbering, hairdressing and cosmetology, or the services of a nail technician, or any combination, is offered and provided (§ 19a-231 (a)(1)).

In 1999, the legislature passed a law requiring the Department of Public Health (DPH) to license nail technicians (PA 99-2, June Special Session). This licensure program was never implemented and was eventually repealed in 2001 (PA 01-4, June Special Session). More detail on the history of nail technician licensure is attached in OLR Report 2001-R-0626.

State law requires local directors of health to inspect all barber, hairdressing, and nail salons annually concerning their sanitary condition. The local health director is authorized to collect a fee of up to $ 100 per salon, which must be used to cover the cost of the inspection (§ 19a-231(b)).

Finally, it should be noted that the statutes that establish the licensure program for hairdressers and cosmetologists states that the definition of “hairdressing and cosmetology” does not prohibit an unlicensed person from performing manicuring of the fingernails (CGS § 20-250(5)).

JK: eh