20 CSR 2085-12.010
General Rules and Application Requirements for All Schools
PURPOSE: This rule establishes requirements applicable to all
barber and cosmetology schools and school applicants.
(1) To operate a barber or cosmetology school in Missouri,
including a postsecondary or secondary barber or cosmetology
school, an applicant shall submit an application and applicable
fee to the board at least sixty (60) days prior to the anticipated
opening date of that facility. Applications to open a school
shall be made on the forms provided by the board and may be
obtained by writing the board at PO Box 1062, Jefferson City,
MO 65102. The telephone number is (573) 751-0805 or (866) 7629432, and the TDD number is (800) 735-2966.
(A) As used in these regulations (and in application forms
issued by the board), the term “postsecondary” shall mean an
institution or school that has certified in its application to the
board that it will only enroll individuals who meet one (1) of
the following qualifications: 1) hold a high school diploma; 2)
hold a general education development (GED) certification; 3)
have completed a home schooling program which meets the
requirements of the state in which it occurred and contains
at least twelve (12) high school credits; or 4) have provided
acceptable proof of a prior enrollment, commencing at any
date prior to July 1, 2012, in a Title IV eligible academic program
at a Title IV eligible postsecondary institution. With respect to
an institution, “Title IV eligible” shall have the meaning given
in 34 CFR 600.2 as that regulation existed at the time of such
prior enrollment, and, with respect to an academic program,
“Title IV eligible” shall have the meaning given in 34 CFR 668.8
as that regulation existed at the time of such prior enrollment
the status of being postsecondary is optional, and an applicant
may apply to operate a barber or cosmetology school in
Missouri without such status.
(B) As used in these regulations (and in application forms
issued by the board), the term “secondary” shall mean an
institution or school that has certified on its application to the
board that it is a public vocational-technical school.
(2) General Application Requirements. The board shall not
consider any application to open a school unless it is fully
completed, including supporting documents which must be
attached to the application, with the applicable fee. The application shall be on a form approved by the board and shall
contain the following information:
(A) Name and address of the owner(s) or lessor(s) and lessee(s)
where appropriate;
(B) The school’s complete mailing address;
(C) A copy of the proposed facility’s floor plan, giving
approximate dimensions and square footage;
(D) A list of the proposed equipment and training supplies
by quantity and type for which barber school applicants shall
include the minimum equipment and supplies required by 20
CSR 2085-12.020(2)(C) or, for cosmetology school applicants,
shall include the minimum equipment and supplies required
by 20 CSR 2085-12.040(2);
(E) A list detailing all implements and equipment that will be
included in student kits;
(F) A list of the proposed school rules;
(G) The requisite fee;
(H) A brief description of the course curriculum, including
the number of clock hours, credit hours, or similar units of
measure, whichever is applicable, to be assigned to each
subject area;
(I) A sample lesson plan for each course in the curriculum,
which must include those courses required by Chapters 328
and/or 329, RSMo, and the rules of the board, for the school
license requested;
(J) The maximum enrollment allowed for the facility based
on square footage;
(K) A copy of the student contract which shall comply with
the following:
1. Student contracts submitted and used by barber school
applicants must include a notice to the student that no less
than one thousand (1,000) hours of training in a licensed
school is required for that student to sit for the state barber
examination;
2. Student contracts submitted and used by cosmetology
school applicants must include a notice to the student that no
less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours of training
in a licensed school or no less than one thousand two hundred
twenty (1,220) hours of training in a licensed public vocationaltechnical school are required for cosmetology, and no less than
four hundred (400) hours of training in any licensed school are
required for manicuring and no less than seven hundred fifty
(750) hours training in any licensed school are required for
estheticians for that student to be eligible to sit for the board
examination; and
3. A copy of the school’s student enrollment form or
application, which, for a postsecondary school, shall require
the student applicant to indicate whether he/she holds a
high school diploma; holds a general education development
(GED) certification; has completed a home schooling program
meeting the requirements of the state in which it occurred
and has provided to the board a written notarized statement
from his/her principal instructor demonstrating completion of
at least twelve (12) high school credits; or has provided to the
cosmetology school proof of a prior enrollment, commencing at
any date prior to July 1, 2012, at a Title IV eligible postsecondary
institution in a Title IV eligible academic program;
(L) The name and address of each licensed instructor to be
employed:
1. Any barber school having only one (1) instructor per
fifteen (15) students shall state in their application the name
and address of a substitute instructor who will be available;
and
2. Any cosmetology school having only one (1) instructor
per twenty-five (25) students shall state in their application
the name and address of a substitute instructor who will be
available; and
(M) Two (2) or more letters of reference for the applicants.
(3) Application Approval. Upon receipt of a properly completed
application, the board, within a reasonable time, will arrange
an appointment at the next regularly scheduled meeting of
the board to discuss the proposed school provided, however,
the application is received by the board no less than fourteen
(14) days before the next meeting. If the application is received
less than fourteen (14) days before the next meeting, then an
appointment will be scheduled at the following meeting to
discuss the proposed school. If the applicant has applied for
the optional status of postsecondary institution, and has met
AND INSURANCE
the requirements of section (2) of 20 CSR 2085-12.010, and if the
board decides to grant an initial or renewal license, the license
shall designate the school as being authorized to operate as
a postsecondary school of cosmetology and/or barbering. If
the applicant has applied for the optional status of secondary
institution, and has met the requirements of section (2) of 20
CSR 2085-12.010, and if the board decides to grant an initial or
renewal license, the license shall designate the school as being
authorized to operate as a secondary school of cosmetology
and/or barbering.
(A) After the meeting between the applicant and the board,
the board will decide to preliminarily approve or deny a license
for the proposed facility no later than ninety (90) days after the
board’s receipt of the properly completed application, unless
additional information is needed or additional time is required
for the board to review the application submitted.
(B) If the board decides not to preliminarily approve the
application, the applicant will be promptly notified in writing
of the specific reasons for denial. Final approval of a school by
the board will be made upon final inspection and approval of
the proposed facility. The purpose of the final inspection is to
approve or disapprove the condition of the school, to ensure
the facility has all required equipment and is in compliance
with the floor plan preliminarily approved by the board.
1. A school license will only be issued to applicants who
are in compliance with the rules of the board and provisions of
law applicable to the school sought to be licensed.
2. After final approval is given by the board, a license will
be sent to the applicant. No barber or cosmetology school shall
be opened in Missouri prior to receipt of its license from the
board.
(4) Barber School Floor Plans. The floor plan submitted with an
application for licensure as a barber school shall include the
following:
(A) A reception area;
(B) A classroom for theory instruction with a reference
library;
(C) A work station for each student for practical instruction
which shall include a backbar, dust-tight cabinet or drawers,
mirror not less than thirty inches (30") in diameter, and barber
chair with headrest. Barber chairs shall be mechanically sound
with a non-porous covering in good condition. Chairs shall be
placed at least five feet (5') apart, and each chair shall occupy
not less than thirty-five (35) square feet of floor space. There
shall be electrical outlets between every two (2) chairs;
(D) Two (2) or more restrooms that separately accommodate
male and female students including sink with hot and cold
running water, soap (liquid or powder), and paper towels;
(E) A dispensary for the preparation, mixing, storage, and
disposal of supplies and chemicals used for disinfecting
barbering implements;
(F) Manager(s) office;
(G) A student break room;
(H) A janitor’s closet for cleaning supplies; and
(I) A shampoo bowl equipped with hot and cold running
water plus chair for each student scheduled for practical
instruction up to six (6) shampoo bowls.
(5) License Changes. Each license for a school issued by the
board shall be valid only for the premises named and located
at the address provided in the initial school license application.
If at any time during the license period, the physical plant or
operation of a school is moved to a new address, if ownership
is transferred, or if substantial interest fifty-one percent (51%) or
more of a partnership or corporation is altered in a way as to
affect the registered ownership, then the license for the school
shall become void. It shall be the responsibility of the holder
of the license of the school to notify the board of any changes.
(A) Change of Location. If the physical plant or operation
of a school is to be moved to a new address, it shall be the
responsibility of the school owner(s) to submit an application
to open a school at a different location and the applicable fee
to the board and meet all the requirements to obtain a license
to operate the school prior to reopening at the new location.
1. The school owner shall submit a change of location
application which shall include:
A. The name and address of the owner(s) or lessor(s) and
lessee(s) where appropriate;
B. The school’s complete mailing address;
C. A copy of the proposed facility’s floor plan, giving
approximate dimensions and square footage;
D. A list of the proposed equipment and training supplies
by quantity and type which for barber school applicants shall
include the minimum equipment and supplies required by 20
CSR 2085-12.020(2)(C) or, for cosmetology school applicants,
shall include the minimum equipment and supplies required
by 20 CSR 2085-12.040(2);
E. A list detailing all implements and equipment that
will be included in student kits;
F. A list of the proposed school rules;
G. The requisite fee;
H. The maximum enrollment allowed for the facility
based on square footage;
I. A copy of the student contract which shall comply
with the applicable requirements of 20 CSR 2085-12.010(2)(K);
and
J. The name and address of each licensed instructor to be
employed, including the name and address of any substitute
instructor as required by 20 CSR 2085-12.010(2)(L).
2. Final approval of a school by the board, based on a
change of location, will be made upon final inspection of the
establishment.
(B) Change of Ownership. It shall be the responsibility of the
new owner(s) to submit an application to open a school and
the applicable fee to the board and to meet all requirements to
obtain a license to operate a school.
1. If there is to be a change in a substantial interest of
a partnership or corporation which affects the registered
ownership, the owner(s) shall make application in accordance
with the rules of the board.
2. If there is to be a change in a minority interest of a
partnership or corporation which does not affect the registered
ownership, it shall be the responsibility of the holder(s) of
the school license to submit a sworn affidavit to the board
as notification of the change and to supply a full listing of
partners/shareholders and ownership percentages of each.
3. Adding a co-owner. It shall be the responsibility of the
co-owners to submit an application to open a school and the
applicable fee to the board to obtain a license to operate a
school.
4. Deleting a co-owner. It shall be the responsibility of the
co-owners to immediately notify the board of any ownership
change. The written notice shall serve as documentation of the
change and a new application and fee shall not be required.
(C) Name Change of School. Notwithstanding any other
rule promulgated by the board, the owners of the school
shall notify the board immediately in writing of a change in a
school name. The name change may be made on the renewal
application for the school. Alternatively, the name change
may be made during the license period if the owner(s) submit
a change of name request on a form supplied by the board
along with the school’s license and the duplicate license fee.
No school shall use any name prior to complying with the rules
of the board for changing a school name and submitting all
applicable fees.
(D) Termination of Operations. Any school voluntarily
terminating its operation shall inform the board in writing
prior to the anticipated closing date and in addition, properly
terminate its students as set forth in section (9) of this rule,
return all unused materials supplied by the board and supply
the board with an address and telephone number where an
authorized representative of the school can be contacted for
additional information after the closing of the school.
(6) Inspections.
(A) A member, representative, or inspector of the board shall
inspect the school prior to annual renewal and the school shall
be in compliance with all applicable Missouri laws and rules
of this board.
(B) Each school licensed in Missouri must be open to the
members, representatives, or inspectors of the board for
inspection at all times during normal working hours or at
reasonable times as requested by the board. Every school
licensed by the board shall have a complete student kit and a
set of all textbooks available for inspectors to view at the time
of inspection.
(7) Renewals.
(A) Each holder of a valid, current license to operate a
school in Missouri shall, on or before the renewal date, submit
an application for renewal of the school license and shall
accompany it with the biennial renewal fee and shall provide
the following information:
1. Name and address of the owner(s) or lessor(s) and
lessee(s) where appropriate;
2. The school’s complete mailing address;
3. A list detailing all implements and equipment that will
be included in student kits;
4. The requisite fee;
5. The maximum enrollment allowed for the facility based
on square footage; and
6. The name and address of each licensed instructor to be
employed; provided, any school having less than the minimum
number of instructors as required by the rules of the board for
the school to be licensed shall also state the name and address
of a substitute instructor who will be available.
(B) The holder(s) of a school license which has not been
renewed by the date shall be required to submit a late fee in
addition to the biennial renewal fee in order to reinstate the
license. The holder(s) of a school license failing to reinstate the
license within fourteen (14) days following the board’s mailing
by certified mail of notice to the holder(s) shall be subject to
disciplinary action, shall terminate all students enrolled in
the school as set forth in subsection (9)(C) of this rule and may
reapply for a school license in accordance with the provisions
of section (2) of this rule.
(8) Satellite Classrooms.
(A) Purpose. Satellite classrooms may only be used for
teaching purposes. Students are prohibited from providing
services to or demonstrations on the public in a satellite
classroom.
(B) Eligibility. Any licensed school may apply for the addition
of a satellite classroom.
(C) Location. Satellite classrooms must be located within a
one (1) mile radius of the existing school.
(D) Equipment and Floor Space.
1. Satellite classrooms shall be equipped with at least one
(1) restroom for student use.
2. Satellite classrooms shall be equipped with a sufficient
number of tables and chairs to accommodate the number of
students in attendance in each class.
3. Schools shall post a sign on the outside of each entrance
into a satellite classroom, which reads, “Satellite Classroom for
Students and Licensed Instructors Only.”
4. Satellite classrooms shall have a minimum of five
hundred (500) square feet for classroom instruction for up to
twenty (20) students. For each additional student, satellite
classrooms must have at least an additional fifty (50) square
feet. Schools may not include the square footage of the satellite
classroom to meet the minimum square footage requirements
for the school licensed.
(E) In addition to the instructor requirements for the school
licensed, there must be at least one (1) licensed instructor
present in the satellite classroom anytime students are present.
(F) Inspection. Satellite classrooms are subject to inspection
in the same manner as the existing school. Schools are required
to post the satellite classroom license in plain view within the
satellite classroom at all times.
(G) Application for Licensure. If a satellite classroom is to
be added, it shall be the responsibility of the holder(s) of the
school license prior to opening the satellite classroom to
submit an application for the addition of a satellite classroom
on a form supplied by the board accompanied by a floor plan of
the satellite classroom giving dimensions and square footage,
and the satellite classroom application fee; have the satellite
classroom inspected and approved by the board; and have
received the satellite classroom license from the board.
(9) Enrollment and Termination of Students.
(A) Students must be seventeen (17) years of age by the time
application is made for the state examination.
(B) It shall be the responsibility of the holder of the license
to operate a school to submit student enrollment forms to
the board at least two (2) weeks prior to the anticipated
commencement of a student’s studies. The application shall
be on a form approved by the board, be properly completed
and accompanied by the appropriate fee(s). No student shall
receive any credit for training received at a school until the
application is received and approved by the board and the
student license is returned to the school. The student license
shall be conspicuously displayed with a two inch square (2" ×
2") photograph taken within the last five (5) years and is not
transferable.
(C) Terminations. All persons holding a license to operate a
school shall be responsible for submitting properly completed
termination forms for all students who terminate their
training. School license holders are responsible for obtaining
termination forms from the board.
1. Termination forms must be submitted within two
(2) weeks of the date of student’s termination. The date of
a student’s termination is either: 1) The date the student
affirmatively indicates to the school his/her intent to terminate
training; or 2) The last day of any two- (2-) week period during
which the student failed to attend a single class. However, a
school shall not terminate a student for up to six (6) weeks if
the student notifies the school in writing of his/her leave of
absence and the student’s anticipated date of return. If the
student does not return on the anticipated date of return, the
AND INSURANCE
school shall automatically terminate the student on that date.
(D) Transfer of Students. Any student desiring to change
schools shall contact the school in which he/she is currently
enrolled and request termination. The school shall terminate
the student as required by 20 CSR 2085-12.010(9)(C) within two
(2) weeks of the student’s request to be terminated.
(E) No student shall be permitted to remove his/her training
kit from the school while in training.
(F) Definition of Training Hours.
1. For purposes of cosmetology schools and students,
“training hours” is defined as the number of clock or credit
hours of instruction and training a student obtained and
for which the school maintained a record of those hours for
instruction and training.
2. For purposes of barber schools and students, “training
hours” is defined as the number of clock hours of instruction
and training a student obtained and for which the school
maintained a record of those hours for instruction and training.
(10) Instructors. Every holder of a license to operate a school
shall be responsible for providing continuous and adequate
supervision of the school’s students by licensed instructors at
all times during regular school hours.
(A) It shall be the responsibility of the holder of a license
to operate a school to ensure that each licensed instructor
teaching in that school submits to the board a proposed lesson
plan for each course that they teach. The lesson plan must be
approved by the board prior to the course being taught.
(B) Any school which has only one (1) regular instructor
employed and present during regular school hours shall
submit proof to the board that a substitute Missouri licensed
instructor will be available to that school to assume continuous
and uninterrupted instruction. Satisfactory proof shall be
demonstrated by submitting an affidavit to the board, a
contract of agreement, or other evidence found to be adequate
and trustworthy, that verifies that a licensed Missouri substitute
instructor will be available.
(C) To insure the adequate preparation of its students, every
school shall allow its instructors to perform only bona fide
demonstrations on members of the general public. A bona fide
demonstration is one performed for the instruction of students
where one (1) or more students actually observe or participate
in the work being performed by the instructor for no monetary
compensation for the specific service(s) demonstrated.
(D) Instructor licenses shall be conspicuously displayed with
a two inch square (2" × 2") photograph taken within the last
five (5) years.
(E) Instructor trainees shall not be counted as licensed
instructors for purposes of meeting the minimum instructor
requirements of the board for the applicable school and under
no circumstances shall an instructor trainee be left solely in
charge of any school.
(11) External Training and Coursework.
(A) No portion of a student’s minimum training requirements
may be obtained in course work or demonstrations outside the
school of his/her enrollment unless a specific request for such
a program of instruction is submitted to the board office by the
school on a form supplied by the board and approval is given
prior to the requested program. The request for a program
of instruction shall include: the place, date and time of the
activity, the objective of the activity, the person/organization
conducting the activity, the number of students to attend the
activity, and the names of the instructor(s) to supervise the
activity.
(B) The executive director of the board may approve up to
three (3) valid field trip requests, after which time further
requests will be considered by the board at its regularly
scheduled board meeting. Requests received less than fourteen
(14) days prior to the next meeting shall be placed on the
agenda for the following meeting.
(C) The required ratio of instructor supervision shall be
maintained and student attendance at the activity verified.
Credit shall not be given for time in transit to and from the
activity.
(12) Minimum Standards for Accountability.
(A) School emphasis shall be placed on student training
exclusively.
(B) Every school shall maintain an annual overall pass/fail
rate of seventy percent (70%) for both written and practical
portions of the licensure examination for each classification
of the profession taught. If a school’s pass/fail rate falls below
seventy percent (70%) in a calendar year, the school will have
thirty (30) days from the date of notification to submit a plan
of action to the board. The pass/fail rate in question will be for
first time candidates only. The pass/fail rate must increase by
five percent (5%) the first year, then must meet or exceed that
standard for the next two (2) years, or the school license shall
be subject to discipline.
(C) Student records shall be made available or shall be
electronically stored so that the records may be immediately
accessed and produced on the premises of the licensed
school in the state of Missouri upon request by the board or
its representative. For purposes of this rule, records shall be
retained for a period of five (5) years and shall include but are
not limited to—
1. Timesheets;
2. Enrollment forms;
3. Student applications;
4. Termination forms;
5. Attendance records;
6. State law tests;
7. Proof of grades;
8. Proof of attendance;
9. Student payment records; and
10. Student contracts.
(D) The school shall include in its catalog and on its website
information on how students may present complaints to the
board, including the mailing address, telephone number, and
website of the board.
(13) Advertising. Signs shall be displayed in all schools stating
that all work is done by students. Schools advertising prices for
services must state that all work is done by students and the
lettering of the advertisement stating that work is performed
by students must be as large as the lettering used to denote the
advertised prices.
(14) All services rendered to the general public in a school shall
be performed by students. An instructor shall not operate a
chair or serve customers in a school. All work performed by
the student on a customer shall be inspected and approved by
an instructor before the customer exits the school. Students
shall not exit from classroom instruction or practical or written
examinations to perform barbering or cosmetology services on
customers.
(15) Physical Premises. The building and quarters that the
school occupies shall be clean, well painted, well ventilated,
and adequately lighted with sufficient room.
(A) There shall be no smoking in instructional areas of the
school.
(B) All implements and school equipment, including furniture
and fixtures, shall be kept in good working order and repair.
(16) Failure of any school to comply with any applicable rule
of the board shall be considered grounds for suspension or
revocation of a license to operate a school.
(17) As used in the rules of the board, the term “school” shall
also include a college of cosmetology or barber instruction.
(18) Virtual Education.
(A) For purposes of all schools licensed pursuant to Chapters
328 and 329, RSMo, educational theory hours (to exclude all
experience hours) may be completed virtually in a hybrid
program that is contemporaneously or simultaneously, visually
and verbally, interactive between the instructor and student.
(B) Virtual educational theory hours may not account for
more than half of the theory education hours required pursuant
to this rule.
AUTHORITY: sections 328.090 and 328.120, RSMo 2016, and
sections 329.025 and 329.040, RSMo Supp. 2023.* Original rule
filed Aug. 10, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed April
8, 2009, effective Oct. 30, 2009. Amended: Filed Sept. 13, 2013,
effective Feb. 28, 2014. Emergency amendment filed May 28, 2015,
effective June 7, 2015, expired Feb. 25, 2016. Amended: Filed May
28, 2015, effective Nov. 30, 2015. ** Amended: Filed May 1, 2024,
effective Oct. 30, 2024.
*Original authority: 328.090, RSMo 1939, amended 1947, 1949, 1951, 1981, 2005;
328.120, RSMo 1939, amended 1947, 1951, 1959, 1981, 1993, 1995, 2005; 329.025, RSMo
2005, amended 2008, 2018; and 329.040, RSMo 1939, amended 1945, 1959, 1979, 1981,
1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2018.
**Pursuant to Executive Order 21-07, 20 CSR 2085-12.010, section (11) was suspended from March
23, 2020 through August 4, 2021.