Is a current facility license and
practitioner license posted in public
view? Photocopies are NOT acceptable.
Are practitioners performing only those
services that they are licensed for?
Is the work area and facility clean?
Are clean towels/linens stored in a clean area?
Are used linens placed in a covered
receptacle?
Does the practitioner wash his/her hands after
serving each client?
Are combs, brushes and instruments
clean?
Are used instruments washed with soap &
water, then totally immersed in a high-level
EPA-registered disinfectant?
Are items that can’
t be disinfected
properly disposed of ?
Complete guidelines for safety & sanitation
regulations are available on the
Health Licensing Office website,
www.hlo.state.or.us
Problems?
If you have a complaint about service or
sanitation in a facility, first discuss the matter
with your practitioner or facility owner. Many
complaints can be resolved quickly, on the
spot. If you are injured, discuss what happened
with the practitioner. Take photographs of the
damage. If necessary, seek medical attention
and file a complaint with the Oregon Health
Licensing Office. Also contact us if you need to
report an unlicensed/uncertified practitioner or
facility, perceived false advertising concerns or
fraud. Contact our Enforcement Unit at 503378-8667 or by email, hlo.info@state.or.us.
Additional copies of this brochure may be
ordered from the Health Licensing Office
Consumer’
s Bill of Rights
All consumers receiving services offered by Oregon
professionals licensed, certified or registered by the
Health Licensing Office have a legal right to:
Receive competent professional services
Verify the names, titles and credentials of
professionals providing services
Receive clear explanations of the services offered and
cost for the services
Refuse any services offered
Receive information on complaints that have
resulted in final action
OREGON
BOARD OF
COSMETOLOGY
CONSUMER
INFORMATION
File a complaint with the Health Licensing Office
regarding a practitioner, facility, or an unlicensed/
uncertified person practicing
Request reasonable accommodations to access
professional services as outlined in the Americans
with Disabilities Act
Be treated with courtesy and respect
Have service options and consequences explained
Publication HLO-13 (Rev 8/2001)
COSMETOLOGY
Health Licensing Office
Susan K. Wilson, Director
700 Summer Street NE #320 • Salem OR 97301-1287
503-378-8667 Main • 503-585-9114 FAX
503-373-2114 TTY
Email: hlo.info@state.or.us
Web http://www.hlo.state.or.us
Oregon Health
Licensing Office
COSMETOLOGY
Health & Safety Questions Worth Asking
The Board of Cosmetology
The Board of Cosmetology establishes
and enforces safety and sanitation
practice standards that assure health and
safety for Oregon consumers. The Board
of Cosmetology certifies and regulates
both practitioner and facility practice
standards for barbering, hair design, nail
technology and facial technology in
Oregon.
WHAT TYPE OF LICENSE IS REQUIRED?
Barbering, hair design, facial and nail technology may only be performed by individuals who
hold a valid Oregon certificate, and who work
in a state licensed facility or possess a valid
Certificate of Identification. A Certificate of
Identification allows a practitioner to come to
your home or office and perform cosmetology
services.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY COSMETOLOGIST
IS BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY
CERTIFIED?
All certificates issued by the Health Licensing
Office must be posted in public view during
business hours. You may call the Health
Licensing Office to ask for license verification.
All facilities and independent contractors are
routinely inspected, and the most recent
inspection report must be posted in public
view.
Barbers
Barbering includes the practice of shaving,
trimming the beard, cutting and styling the hair
and giving facial or scalp massages. All tools
and implements used on a client must be
disinfected prior to each use. Electric clippers
may be disinfected by removing the blade,
cleaning away foreign matter and spraying
approved disinfectant spray on the blade.
Hair Design
Hair Design involves all or any of the following:
arranging, dressing, curling, waving, permanent
waving, cleansing, cutting, shampooing, relaxing,
singeing, bleaching, tinting, coloring, straightening,
dyeing, brushing, applying hair tonics, or otherwise
beautifying hair.
Chemical services may include permanent waves,
straightening, lightening or coloring of the hair.
When having permanent wave services performed,
a preliminary test curl may be taken to determine
how the hair will react to the permanent. For color
services a pretest may be done prior to the
treatment to determine the development time, color
results and the ability of the hair to withstand the
effects of chemicals. For all chemical services, a
towel and/or other sanitary neck strip must be used
to keep the full length protective covering (for example, shampoo cape, drape or smock) from coming
into direct contact with a client’s skin, and protect the
client from solution that may drip during the service.
Chemical solutions must be removed from the skin
immediately on contact. Some chemicals may have
strong odors; they should not cause you discomfort.
Salons and barbershops should have adequate
ventilation to keep odors from collecting.
Nail Technology
Nail Technology involves manicures and pedicures.
Manicuring is the practice of cleaning, trimming,
massaging and polishing for the beautification of the
hands. Pedicuring includes cleansing, trimming,
removal of dead skin (exfoliation), massaging and
polishing for the beautification of the feet.
Nail drills may be used to file artificial and natural
nails. Practitioners must follow manufacturer
directions and disinfect the bit before use to avoid
the risk of infection. The FDA discourages the use of
products containing liquid methyl methacrylate
monomers (MMA). If these products are being used
you will detect a strong or unusual odor, the nails
may be difficult to file and artificial nails may not
soak off easily in solvents. MMA products are toxic
and the Board of Cosmetology does not
recommend the use of MMA for nail applications.
It should not be painful to have artificial
nails removed. If the process causes
pain or discomfort inform the
practitioner immediately.
Facial Technology
Facial Technology is the practice of applying
makeup, skin care or beautifying the face or neck
by use of cosmetic preparations, lotions or creams.
Services include applying eyelashes or removing
facial hair by tweezing, depilatories or waxing.
Facial Technicians cannot pierce ears unless
they are licensed as a Piercing Technician.
Chemical Exfoliation is the process of removing a
top layer of facial skin with commercially available
products. Chemical exfoliation smoothes wrinkles,
reduces scars or blotchy skin, and improves overall
appearance of the skin. It is important to discuss all
aspects of exfoliation with your practitioner,
especially regarding safety issues, potential
hazards, skin types and some skin conditions that
may increase a risk of problems. Advise the
practitioner of any medications you are taking.
Electronic Muscle Stimulators (EMS) devices
supply electrical energy to the body through plates,
pads or other attachments and cause stimulation
and contraction of the muscles. Facial Technicians
may use these devices only to assist creams or
lotions penetrate the skin during a facial.
Tell Your Practitioner Immediately!
If you feel chemicals dripping on your skin
or burning your skin;
If the chemical odor causes you discomfort;
If the artificial nail removal process causes
pain or discomfort;
If you are diabetic and having nail services
performed (special safety procedures need
to be observed)
Find out
C Ocurrent
S M Board
E T Oinformation
L O G Yon the Web:
www.hlo.state.or.us