Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing

Welcome to the website of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. We appreciate your visit to our site, and we look forward to assisting you.

 

GUIDANCE TO EASE THE RENEWAL PROCESS (PDF)

Purpose

The State Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing was established to protect the public through the regulation of the practice of barbering and cosmetology in the State of Maine.

The primary responsibility of the Program is to regulate the practice of aesthetics, barbering, limited barbering, cosmetology, and nail technology by qualifying applicants for licensure. The Program investigates allegations of noncompliance and acts on these complaints by imposing discipline when necessary. The Program creates safety and sanitation rules and enforces these rules through regular inspections of licensed establishments and consumer complaints. In addition, the Program licenses and regulates schools that offer and provide professional practice courses in the field of aesthetics, barbering, limited barbering, cosmetology and nail technology.

Notice Regarding License Verification Requests

Effective March 1, 2019, the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) will no longer issue paper license verifications. License verifications are available, free of charge, on OPOR’s official database, https://www.pfr.maine.gov/ALMSOnline/ALMSQuery/Welcome.aspx?board=4702. This database is updated in real time as changes occur. The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation considers this information to be a secure, primary source for license verification.

Future correspondence from the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program will be sent to you by email, so please be sure to keep your contact information current.

Renew or Reinstate Online - Email Address or Name Changes - Before you renew if your email address or name has changed you must send an email to barbercosm.lic@maine.gov to have the information updated. Please provide your license number and full legal name in the email with your request. Once the information has been updated you will receive a confirmation email, you then may renew online. Please do not call our office on a status update.

10 Day Notification

List of Accepted United States credentialing agencies (PDF)

What's New

POLICY ON VETERANS PREFERENCE

Office of Professional and Financial Regulation - Policy on Veterans Preference - Adopted February 2017 (PDF)

Laws/Statutory

Laws enacted by the 130th Legislature

2021 Public Law Chapter 167, (L.D. An Act To Facilitate Licensure for Credentialed Individuals from Other Jurisdictions (PDF)

New Law Takes Effect September 19, 2019

Public Law Chapter 373 (LD1768) An Act To Amend the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Laws
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1255&item=3&snum=129
Brief Synopsis, not inclusive, please read full text of changes:

  • Changes Establishment and Booth licenses to Level 1 Establishment (owner) and Level 2 Establishment (formerly booth) and clarifies relationships
  • Makes a change of Establishment location a reporting requirement and repeals new application and license requirement
  • Restructures the Barber and Limited Barber license by repealing the Barber license and renaming the Limited Barber license to Barber Hair Stylist
  • Creates a new license category for Hair Designers limited to haircutting, styling, chemical hair services, face scalp and neck massage and facial and scalp treatment; does not include aesthetic skin care or nail care services
  • Reorganize and expand exempted activities and clarifies Exceptions to include Correctional Institutions
  • Trainees. Sets a limit on the number of trainees per Establishment and per Qualified Supervisor
  • Trainees who change employer or place of employment will no longer be required to file a new application for a new trainee license. This will now be a reporting requirement under the existing licensing
  • Clarifies that a Level 2 Establishment may not be owned by a person on a Temporary or Trainee license
  • All reporting requirements have changed to 10 calendar days consistent with 10 MRS §8003-G on reporting requirements; link to this law reference http://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10ch901sec0.html  
  • Clarifies that a school (CTE) that does not collect tuition is not required to submit a bond or financial audit report
  • Repeal the age and secondary schooling requirement for initial licensure for all license categories
  • Clarifies that a school may accept a 15 year old into the program providing the student turns 16 before the end of course of study
  • Allows the director to issue a license to a person who holds a valid license from another state within the US providing no condition exist to not issue
  • Repeals special events permit, a permit will not be required. The ability to perform services at special events is now part of the Exception see §14203, section 2 (J) and last paragraph

Rulemaking

Current Important Notices/Reminders

 

Older Important Notices/Reminders