Licenses are mailed 2-3 weeks from the date of qualification. The qualification date for renewals is the date the correct fee, renewal form and passport photo are received in the Board office. For new practitioners, it is the date the correct fee, examination results, and passport photo are received. For new salons, it is the date the inspection approval was received from the inspector. Incoming mail is processed by the metered date of the post office.
A practitioner’s license may be renewed up to three (3) years after expiration. If it has not been renewed within that period, both the theory and practical examination must be taken and passed before a current license can be issued. NOTE: It is a violation to practice with an expired license. Anyone found to be doing so will be subject to disciplinary action.
One year from date of expiration. After this time, you must submit a new salon application and be inspected. NOTE: It is a violation to practice with an expired license. Anyone found to be doing so will be subject to disciplinary action.
Once all paperwork is received in the MSBC office, your inspection will be assigned to a field inspector. The field inspector will contact you to set a date and time to complete the inspection. No verbal approval approvals will be provided.
Yes, the salon must be dually licensed by both the MS State Board of Cosmetology and the MS State Board of Barber Examiners.
A licensed Cosmetologist may acquire an additional 600 hours in a licensed Barber school and become eligible to take the Barber examination. A Cosmetology student cannot transfer hours to a Barber school, nor can a Barber student transfer hours to a Cosmetology school.
No, Mississippi does not offer or accept apprenticeship programs.
No, if you work in more than one establishment and do not want to take your license from one place to the other, you must make an application for a duplicate license. The requirements, fee, and application may be found under the Licensing section.
Anyone who has been licensed in this state for at least one (1) year, and has acquired 16 hours of Board-approved Continuing Education can make an application to become a Master at the time of their license renewal.
No, a student is not eligible to practice in any establishment until they have completed training and been approved for examination. The student must request a work permit to work in a salon until licensed. In the event, the student fails an examination for licensure, the work permit becomes null and void and the student must cease working in the salon until licensed.
No, you must submit an Application of Intent to apply for licensure, have a record of your training and license status sent to MSBC and appear for a credentialing interview. The Reciprocity requirements may be found under the Reciprocity section.
Each state has different licensing requirements and procedures. You will need to contact the Board office of the state to which you are moving and request their information and procedures. You will probably be required to get an affidavit or certification of your training and license record from Mississippi. This form may be found under the Reciprocity section.
Submit a new salon application. The application can be found under the Licensing section.
No, all applications must have an original signature.
Yes, however a Manicurist or an Esthetician cannot practice outside their scope or practice.
The license expiration, required renewal, and delinquent fees are established by law. We do not have the authority to allow extensions or to accept partial payment.
For an address change, just make the needed correction to your renewal slip. For name changes, please submit documentation of the name change.
By mail, we accept check, money order, or cashier’s check.
Online, we accept credit and debit cards.
We do not accept cash.
MS State Board of Cosmetology or MSBC.
On the home page of the website, scroll to the bottom and the complaint procedures and form is listed there. Please note that all complaints must be in writing and notarized. If you would like to remain anonymous, you may request an inspection request.
The Cosmetology staff will immediately notify you of any documentation of fee or documentation deficiencies.
The excess amount will be refunded to you. The processing time is usually two (2) weeks.
Work permits are issued and mailed to the salon address within two (2) weeks and are non-transferrable to another salon.
A consent agreement is an agreement or settlement to resolve a dispute between two parties. In this instance, the Board and the license holder are entering into an agreement to settle the violations found by the inspector.
Yes, the statute of limitations is not applicable to actions of the Board of Cosmetology. Please note that all violations must be paid before a license can be renewed.
An Administrative Hearing is a trial-like proceeding before the Board or an administrative law judge. As in a trial, evidence is offered and testimony is given. Unlike a trial, an Administrative Hearing is often shorter in duration, and more informal. The Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure do not apply to Administrative Hearings.
You have the right to seek the advice of an attorney on disciplinary matters at your expense.
Time spent shadowing practitioners in the field SHALL NOT count towards the unassigned/open clock hours. The unassigned/open clock hours are to be spent on a student’s needs in theory, skill, or practical.
HB 1312 successful passed the Legislature this past session and was signed by the Governor, effective upon passage. Accordingly, it is now the law in MS. HB 1312 reenacted all of the Cosmetology Laws in the State of MS with 3 exceptions. The laws regulating and requiring licensing for cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, salons, schools and school instructors in MS are alive and well today and will be continued to be enforced by the Board.
However, there are 3 exceptions. The practice of makeup artistry standing alone, the practice of threading standing alone and the practice of applying and removing eyelash extensions standing alone have all been deregulated. The Board of Cosmetology no longer has jurisdiction over these three practices.
For example, if all you would like to do is the practice of threading and nothing more, your practice will not be regulated in MS. The same with makeup artistry and with eyelash extensions.
Yes, swinging trash can lids are allowed.
The Board of Cosmetology voted against allowing Mobile Salons in the State of Mississippi on June 24, 2023 citing that all salons must have a dedicated physical address.
Rule 4.4 (C) states:
- Every salon that has a change in location must make application for a new salon in accordance with Board Rules 4.2 thru 4.4 and the required fee must be paid.
- A change of location includes moving an existing establishment:
a. From one address to another
b. From one building, or area within a building, to another, even when a “change of address” does not occur.
Effective September 1, 2023, the Board ruled that Dermaplaning with a guarded razor is approved in Mississippi and regulated by the MS State Board of Cosmetology.