North Dakota law sets salon inspection and beauty practice rules

The board inspects new establishments, independent licensees, and schools, and conducts routine inspections as it determines. These rules cover cosmetology establishments, independent licensees, and schools. The board may order additional inspections after a past violation, ownership change, late renewal, or disciplinary probation, and may charge a reinspection fee. Inspections take place during regular business hours or while services or classes are underway, unless everyone involved agrees otherwise. The board or executive director may authorize inspections with or without notice. The act took effect January 1, 2026. Routine inspections occur as the board determines.

Cosmetologists, estheticians, and manicurists may not alter, cut, puncture, or damage living cells. The board may limit certain advanced esthetic services or require medical supervision. The living-cell limit applies to cosmetologists, estheticians, and manicurists; advanced estheticians are subject to the extra certification rules for the listed services. For certain advanced services, the board may require supervision or direction by a physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse who is trained or certified in the procedure. Before using microneedling devices, nonablative devices, or advanced chemical peels, advanced estheticians must apply and show proof of board-approved extra training and certification. The act took effect January 1, 2026. Advanced estheticians must obtain the added approval before using the listed devices or peels.

The board issues qualifying military-connected applicants provisional licenses without an exam or fee and must prioritize and expedite their applications. This pathway covers active-duty service members, their spouses, veterans, and veterans' spouses seeking a license to practice cosmetology in North Dakota. Active-duty members and their spouses must show an active license in good standing for the two years before applying. Spouses must also prove the marriage and the service member's assignment to North Dakota, or an overseas assignment and the spouse's move to North Dakota. Veterans and their spouses must apply within six months after an honorable discharge and show an active license in good standing for the two years before applying. Active-duty applicants' licenses last three years and may be renewed with proof that military orders remain active in North Dakota. Veteran applicants' licenses last three years and cannot be renewed.