Cosmetologists

• Advisory Board on Cosmetology vacancies
• TDLR issues two press releases concerning recent administrative penalties for violations:
  • VBC Revoked Licenses and Fines Continue
  • TDLR Issues Agreed Orders for Unlicensed Activity
• The Advisory Board on Cosmetology meeting scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2009, has been canceled.  Once an alternate meeting date is selected it will be posted here.
• Statement from TDLR about applying false eyelashes, eyelash tabbing and eyelash extensions and whether a person must hold a cosmetology license in order to perform these procedures
• The Advisory Board on Cosmetology met April 13 in Austin. The agenda is available online. The meeting was archived and is available for viewing via RealPlayer.
• TDLR Revokes Cosmetology Licenses - Victorian Beauty College Test Scam Investigation Continues
• Purchase the Cosmetology Law and Rule book online
• What to Expect During a Cosmetology School Inspection
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Statement on “Fish Pedicure” Procedure
• Information about FDA Listed Sterilizers
• Houston Beauty School Fined a Record $250,000 and Forever Closed
• Waxing Services Precautions and Suggestions for Consumers
• Frequently Asked Questions regarding Sterilization Requirements and Cosmetology Salon / School Inspections
• Online license applications and renewals are available now
• Manicure And Pedicure Precautions For Consumers
• Consumer Tips about Foot Spas

Vacancies on Advisory Board on Cosmetology

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (Department) announces two vacancies on the Advisory Board on Cosmetology (Board) established by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1602. The pertinent rules may be found in 16 Texas Administrative Code §83.65. The purpose of the Advisory Board on Cosmetology is to advise the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (Commission) and the Department on:  education and curricula for applicants; the content of examinations; proposed rules and standards on technical issues related to cosmetology; and other issues affecting cosmetology.

The Board is composed of seven members appointed by the presiding officer of the Commission, with the Commission’s approval.  The Board consists of one member who holds a license for a beauty shop that is part of a chain of beauty shops; one member who holds a license for a beauty shop that is not part of a chain of beauty shops; one member who holds a private beauty culture school license; two members who each hold an operator license; one member who represents a licensed public secondary or post secondary beauty culture school; and one public member.  Members serve staggered six-year terms, with the terms of one or two members expiring on the same date each odd-numbered year.  This announcement is for the vacancies of a licensed public secondary or post secondary beauty culture school and a public member. 

Public Member Frequently Asked Questions

Interested persons should request an application from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation by telephone (512) 475‑4765, FAX (512) 475‑2874 or Email advisory.boards@license.state.tx.us.  Applicants for public board member should download the Public Member Application; applicants for the other board positions should download the Cosmetology Board Application. Applicants may be asked to appear for an interview; however, any required travel for an interview would be at the applicant's expense.

Statement from TDLR about applying false eyelashes, eyelash tabbing and eyelash extensions and whether a person must hold a cosmetology license in order to perform these procedures

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation received several inquiries about applying false eyelashes, eyelash tabbing and eyelash extensions and whether a person must hold a cosmetology license in order to perform these procedures.

TDLR concludes that all of these procedures require a cosmetology license if a person accepts compensation for the service.

Section 1602.002(7) of the Occupations Code defines cosmetology as “beautifying a person’s face, neck, or arms using a cosmetic preparation, antiseptic, tonic, lotion, powder, oil, clay, cream or appliance”. The Department interprets the terms “cosmetic preparation” and “appliance” to include false eyelashes. Based upon this interpretation, only licensed operators, instructors, facial instructors and facial specialists may perform the attachment of false eyelashes, eyelash tabbing and eyelash extensions. Eyelash tabbing may also be performed by wig specialists.

Waxing Services Precautions and Suggestions for Consumers

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires that a person hold a Cosmetologist Operators License or a Facial Specialty License in order to perform waxing services.   

Before you receive waxing services, make sure that:

• The salon and the person providing the waxing services are currently licensed by TDLR.
• The person performing the waxing services washes their hands prior to performing the waxing services.
• The person performing the waxing services cleans the area to be waxed on you prior to performing the waxing services.
• The person performing the waxing services uses a new applicator.    

The same wax cannot be used on more than one client.  There are two ways for a shop/salon to comply with this requirement:

• The first and most common way is for the person performing the waxing services to go to a central wax container and prepare a separate and unique container of wax for use on each individual client.  
• A second method of compliance is acceptable for a shop/salon that may only use one central wax container.  In that case, each applicator must be thrown away after it is dipped into the container and applied once to your skin.  For example, one applicator must be used for your left eyebrow and thrown away and a new applicator must be used for your right eyebrow.

Ask the person performing the waxing services to make sure that the temperature of the wax is not too hot before it is applied to you.

f you have any doubts about the cleanliness of the shop/salon or their adherence to sanitation requirements for waxing, leave and contact TDLR.

Manicure And Pedicure Precautions For Consumers

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation rules require that all non-porous manicure and pedicure implements must be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized prior to each service.

• Make sure the salon and operator are currently licensed.
• If you have, or suspect that you have a skin infection, do not get a manicure, pedicure or utilize the foot spa bath.
• Do not have any type of hair removal service 24 hours prior to a pedicure or manicure.
• If you have broken skin or lesions, such as cuts or nicks, do not get a pedicure or manicure.
• Take a look around the salon to determine if it is clean, free of trash and set up with clean instruments.  How can you tell if instruments are clean?
  • There should be no visible marks on buffer blocks. 
  • Implements should not be stored in an open tray and not used from one customer to another.
  • Disposable items should not be re-used (cotton balls, orangewood sticks, nail wipes, disposable towels).
  • Metal pushers and files, cuticle nipper and scissors, tweezers, finger and toe nail clippers and electric drill bits must be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized by autoclave, dry heat sterilizer or UV light.
• The following materials that are used during a manicure or pedicure shall be replaced with new or clean articles for each client: terry cloth towels, finger bowls and spatulas that contact skin or skin products from multi-use containers.

If you have any doubts about the cleanliness of the shop/salon or their adherence to sanitation requirements for manicures and pedicures, leave. 

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