Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure


Inspections

Based on the current law, the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure is permitted to inspect a shop upon receiving a written complaint or at the Director’s discretion. For more information about the complaint process, please see Complaint Information.

This office does not conduct routine inspections. But when there is a written or Director’s complaint, the inspections are unannounced. Therefore, a salon owner and/or licensee will not know when an inspection will occur, making it similar to routine inspections.

All inspections follow an established protocol. In addition to ensuring that all inspections are fair, the protocol also verifies that our office is conducting it.

Inspector Entering Salon:
Office inspectors will identity himself or herself as an inspector for the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. The inspector will present an authentic badge with State of Colorado picture identification. Occasionally, more than one inspector can be assigned to inspect a shop.

If you have questions about the identity of an inspector or inspectors, please contact Ruby Stevens at 303-894-7427.

Expectations During the Inspection:
The inspector will attempt to minimize disruption to the salon so the shop may continue the delivery of services to clients during the inspection.

The entire shop will be inspected as well as each individual workstation. Every person in the shop is asked to produce an original license and accompanying photo identification.

The salon owner, employee or independent contactor may accompany the inspector during the inspection. It may be necessary for the inspector to take pictures of his/her findings.

The inspection certificate used by the inspectors is available for your use and is available on this Web site. Please note that the inspection certificate is subject to change without notice.

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The Conclusion of the Inspection:
The inspection certificate is also a citation.  At the conclusion of the inspection, the inspector will review and explain the findings, violations and fines (if any) with the shop manager, owner and/or licensees.  Two copies of the inspection certificate/citation will be left with the salon/shop owner and/ or licensee.  If a fine is issued, one of the copies must be returned with the fine.  This is to ensure that the fine is recorded in the appropriate license and/or registration.  This citation may also include probation, periodic unannounced inspections; an order to cease and desist.

Pursuant to HB08-1216, a surcharge is added to the fine assessed on the citation.  The surcharge will contribute to the consumer outreach and education program within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) for the purpose of informing consumers of their rights regarding the regulated professions and occupations, decreasing regulatory violations, and ensuring public awareness of consumer protection information. 

If for any reason there are violations that a citation cannot address, the Director may impose any combination of disciplinary sanctions. Disciplinary sanctions may involve a fine; probation, periodic unannounced inspections; suspension; revocation; an order to cease and desist; letter of admonition; a combination of these sanctions; or the case may be dismissed.  Regardless of the outcome, you will be notified.

Should you have any questions about the inspection process, please contact the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure at 303-894-7772.

Consumer Protection