Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0440 - Cosmetology
The Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee, Title 0440 - Cosmetology, are established and enforced by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. These regulations provide the comprehensive framework for the licensure, operation, and conduct of individuals and establishments within the cosmetology industry in Tennessee, with the core purpose of protecting public health, safety, and welfare.
This Title covers a wide array of topics, typically organized into chapters, including:
Chapter 0440-01 - Licensing: This is a crucial chapter detailing the requirements for various licenses within the cosmetology field.
School Licenses: Extensive requirements for obtaining and maintaining a license to operate a cosmetology school, aesthetics school, manicuring school, or natural hair styling school. This includes specific mandates for:
Equipment: Detailed lists of required equipment for student workstations, shampoo basins, dryers, manicure stations, aesthetic equipment (e.g., facial steamers, suction machines, light-based devices), and overall facility amenities (e.g., restrooms, storage for clean/soiled towels, trash containers, sanitizers).
Instructional Floor Space: Minimum square footage requirements and specifications for dedicated instructional areas, excluding non-instructional spaces like restrooms or offices.
Curriculum: Outlines the minimum number of hours and subjects to be taught for each curriculum (cosmetology, aesthetics, manicuring, natural hair styling, instructor training, eyelash specialist).
Student Enrollment and Agreements: Rules for student eligibility, mandatory written enrollment agreements, disclosure of costs, and refund policies.
Change of Ownership/Relocation: Procedures for notifying the Board and re-licensing upon changes in ownership or physical location.
Individual Licenses: Requirements for becoming a licensed:
Cosmetologist: Typically involves completing a certain number of training hours (e.g., 1,500 hours) from an approved school and passing both a written theory exam and a practical examination.
Aesthetician: Specific training hours (e.g., 750 hours) and exams for skin care professionals.
Manicurist: Training hours and exams for nail care specialists.
Natural Hair Stylist: Requirements for those specializing in natural hair care techniques.
Eyelash Specialist: New requirements (as of recent updates) for a dedicated 300-hour training program.
Instructor: Additional training hours and exams for licensed professionals seeking to teach.
Reciprocity: Provisions for individuals licensed in other states to obtain a Tennessee license, often with requirements for comparable training hours or work experience.
Shop/Establishment Licenses: Regulations for opening and operating cosmetology shops, including equipment, sanitation, and layout.
Chapter 0440-02 - Sanitary Rules: This is a critically important chapter focused on public health and safety.
General Sanitation: Rules for maintaining cleanliness of floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, and all exposed surfaces in shops and schools.
Disinfection and Sterilization: Detailed protocols for cleaning and disinfecting tools, implements, and equipment using EPA-registered, bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal disinfectants. Specific requirements for tools that come into contact with blood or body fluids (e.g., hospital-grade disinfectants effective against HIV-1 and Hepatitis B).
Personal Hygiene: Requirements for licensees and students regarding personal cleanliness and handwashing.
Communicable Diseases: Strict rules prohibiting service to patrons with open sores or symptoms of infectious/contagious diseases, and mandating that licensees who are knowingly ill not provide services. The Board can require physical examinations.
Towels and Linens: Rules for the use of clean towels for each patron, covering headrests, and proper storage of soiled linens.
Foot Baths: Specific cleaning and disinfection procedures for pedicure tubs and foot baths, including flushing and circulating disinfectants through jets.
Product Handling and Storage: Regulations for labeling and storing cosmetic products.
Blood Spill Kits: Mandates for having blood spill kits on premises and proper disposal of biohazard materials (e.g., sharps containers).
Chapter 0440-03 - Rules of Procedure for Hearing Contested Cases: This chapter outlines the formal administrative procedures for hearings related to license applications, disciplinary actions, and other contested matters before the Board.
In essence, Title 0440 is the foundational legal document for anyone operating, working, or studying in the cosmetology, aesthetics, manicuring, natural hair styling, or eyelash specialist fields in Tennessee. Adherence to these rules is essential for maintaining licensure and avoiding penalties. Recent updates have focused on areas like eyelash specialist licensing and domestic violence training requirements for all licensees.
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