2.1 Inspections, Penalties, Discipline, License Display & Advertising
Key Takeaways
Board inspectors may inspect a salon whenever the board deems it necessary, and every licensee, including appointment-only salons, must allow the inspection on the inspector's arrival (Minn. R. 2105.0115, subp. 1).
After an inspection, violations must be corrected within 10 business days and the inspection report posted within 10 business days at the reception area or each customer entrance (Minn. R. 2105.0115).
Per-inspection penalties are capped at $3,000 per salon license, $2,000 for the DLSM per salon license, and $1,000 per individual practitioner license or permit (Minn. R. 2105.0115, subp. 5).
The board may impose a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per violation under Minn. Stat. 155A.33, subd. 6, and any violation of sections 155A.21 to 155A.36 is a misdemeanor (Minn. Stat. 155A.36).
Only licensees may use the titles cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or eyelash technician, and adding words such as medical, certified or master to a license title is a violation (Minn. R. 2105.0110).
Why this section matters
Enforcement is 15% of the state exam (about 4 to 5 questions): enforcement, violations and penalties (Minn. Stat. 155A.33 and 155A.36), inspections (155A.25, subd. 1a, paragraph (c), and Minn. R. 2105.0115), display of license (155A.32 and 2105.0190, subp. 4) and advertising (2105.0110).
Inspections (Minn. Stat. 155A.31; Minn. R. 2105.0115)
The board inspects salons and schools and directs its resources first to licensees that fail requirements or present greater risk. Under Minn. R. 2105.0115, subp. 1, every salon and every homebound permit holder is subject to inspection at any time the board deems necessary.
- All licensees, including salons open by appointment only or with irregular hours, must let a board inspector inspect on the inspector's arrival.
- The owner and DLSM must cooperate if asked to arrange an inspection appointment.
- The owner and DLSM must have, and give the inspector, access to all salon space, including leased space.
- All staff, including unlicensed support staff, must cooperate.
- Inspectors carry board-issued photo identification and show it on request.
- Licensees must carry a valid picture state ID while working and show it to board staff on request (Minn. R. 2105.0370, item E).
After the inspection
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Written report | The board gives a written inspection report whenever a violation is found |
| Correct violations | Take immediate action and bring the salon and every licensee into compliance within 10 business days |
| Order to comply | Report to the board by mail or email within 10 business days on the board's form: how and when each violation was corrected; for anything not fixed, the reason, the steps planned and a projected date |
| Extension | Granted on written request when public health is not at immediate risk and the delay is justified |
| Post the report | Within 10 business days, post the complete, unaltered report on 8½ × 11 inch paper so it is visible at all times in the reception area or at each customer entrance; leave it up until a new report replaces it |
Suite-style salons post inspection results at the customer entrance. Homebound permit holders are not required to post.
Penalties assessed on inspection
Board staff must issue the 155A.25 penalties for these inspection findings (Minn. R. 2105.0115, subp. 4): expired practitioner or salon licenses, active licenses not conspicuously displayed, reuse of or failure to immediately dispose of single-use items, presence of prohibited callus shavers, graters or rasps, and refusal to cooperate. The salon, the DLSM and each individual practitioner can each be penalized for their own violations, and penalties must be paid before any license is renewed or issued.
| Penalty under Minn. Stat. 155A.25, subd. 1a(c), as amended in 2026 | Up to |
|---|---|
| Reinspection | $150 |
| Manager and owner with an expired practitioner or instructor found on inspection | $150 each |
| Expired practitioner or instructor found on inspection | $200 |
| Expired salon found on inspection | $500 |
| Expired school found on inspection | $1,000 |
| Failure to display current license | $100 |
| Failure to dispose of single-use equipment, implements or materials (155A.355, subd. 1) | $500 |
| Prohibited razor-type callus shavers, rasps or graters (155A.355, subd. 2) | $500 |
| Refusal or failure to cooperate with an inspection | $500 |
| Practitioner late renewal | $45 |
| Salon or school late renewal | $50 |
The 2026 amendments removed three former penalties: performing nail or cosmetology services in an esthetician salon (or the reverse), an owner and manager allowing an operator to work as an independent contractor, and an operator working as an independent contractor.
Per-inspection caps (subp. 5): total penalties for all violations cited per license per inspection may not exceed $3,000 per salon license, $2,000 for the DLSM per salon license, and $1,000 per individual practitioner license or permit.
Discipline (Minn. Stat. 155A.33)
| Tool | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Injunction (subd. 2) | The board may sue in Ramsey County District Court to stop an imminent violation |
| Cease and desist order (subd. 3) | Issued after an investigation; hearing within 30 days of a request; final if no hearing is requested within 30 days |
| Licensing action (subd. 4) | Deny, refuse to renew, suspend, temporarily suspend or revoke; censure or reprimand; refuse to let a person sit for, or release grades from, an exam |
| Conditions (subd. 4(b)) | Quality review of skills or required continuing education |
| Temporary suspension (subd. 5) | Effective on service; licensee may request a hearing within 10 days, held within 5 working days |
| Civil penalty (subd. 6) | Up to $2,000 per violation, plus costs of the proceeding |
| Corrective action agreement (subd. 8, added 2026) | Written agreement to resolve a complaint; not disciplinary action; public data; complaint dismissed after successful completion; may include a fee |
| Criminal (155A.36) | Any violation of 155A.21 to 155A.36 is a misdemeanor |
Grounds for licensing action include violating a statute, rule or order; fraud or deception in getting a license or passing an exam; malpractice, negligence or incompetence; false or deceptive advertising; performing services while consuming or under the influence of an intoxicant or controlled substance; unprofessional conduct; letting an unlicensed person practice under your supervision; failing to display a license; violating infection-control rules; and refusing an inspection or records request.
Display of license (Minn. Stat. 155A.32; Minn. R. 2105.0190, subp. 4; 2105.0370)
- Each practitioner posts an original, unaltered, current license at each salon where they practice.
- Either the license or the full name as shown on the license must be posted at each workstation the licensee uses; a name tag or a business card displayed at the station counts if it uses the full licensed name.
- If the license is not at the workstation, it must be posted at the reception area or each customer entrance.
- Copies do not count. Buy duplicate licenses ($20) for multiple workstations or salons. After issuance, a printout of the online license status may be used for up to 30 days.
- The salon license showing the current DLSM is posted facing the public side of the reception area or at each customer entrance.
Advertising (Minn. R. 2105.0110)
Advertising means any written or graphic material meant to attract enrollment or sales, including signs, business cards, brochures and online posts (Minn. R. 2105.0010, subp. 2).
- It is a violation to advertise regulated services from an unlicensed salon or unlicensed practitioner.
- Salon ads must use the licensed salon name (franchises may use a common brand). Ads that name staff must give at least the licensee's first name as licensed.
- An individual's ad must show the full licensed name or the licensed salon name.
- A practitioner leasing space may use a business name if the full licensed name appears; otherwise the business name must be followed by "at (name of the licensed salon)."
- Only current licensees may call themselves "cosmetologist," "esthetician," "aesthetician," "advanced practice esthetician," "nail technician" or "eyelash technician," and qualifying a title with words such as "medical," "certified" or "master" is a violation.
A salon receives an inspection report that lists violations. Within what time must the salon correct the violations and post the report?
30 calendar days
24 hours
10 business days
At the next license renewal
What is the maximum total penalty for all violations cited against one salon license in a single inspection?
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$5,000
A stylist's business cards read "Master Cosmetologist." Which rule does this violate?
Minn. R. 2105.0110, which prohibits qualifying a license title with terms such as master, medical or certified
Only federal trademark law
None, if the stylist has more than ten years of experience
Minn. R. 2105.0190, the license display rule, because the title printed on the card must match the license posted at the station
Which statement correctly describes a corrective action agreement under Minn. Stat. 155A.33, subd. 8?
It is a form of license suspension that is recorded as discipline and must be disclosed on every future renewal application
It allows a licensee to keep practicing on an expired license while a complaint against them is investigated by the board
It replaces the inspection report posting requirement
A written, non-disciplinary agreement; the complaint is dismissed once the corrective action is completed
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.