Minnesota salon inspection checklist

Your ticks stay in this browser only.

1. Licenses on display

   The first thing an inspector looks for: the salon's license and every working license, current and where clients can see them.

   • 1.Post the active salon license, showing the current designated licensed salon manager, where the public can see it at reception or at each customer entrance.

     The rule's own words

     “The active salon license showing the current DLSM must be conspicuously posted facing the public side of the reception area or at each customer entrance providing the public a full, unobstructed view of the license.”

   • 2.Each practitioner must post an original, unaltered, current license at each salon where they practice.

     The rule's own words

     “The practitioner must conspicuously post an original, unaltered, and current license at each salon where the practitioner practices.”

2. Other required postings

   Some states also want their rules, a consumer notice or the last inspection report on the wall.

   • 3.Within ten business days of an inspection report, post the report in the reception area or at each customer entrance, where it stays visible until replaced.

     The rule's own words

     “Within ten business days of the issuance date on the results and report, the salon must conspicuously post the inspection report so that it is visible at all times in the reception area or at each customer entrance.”

3. The disinfectant

   What the disinfectant must be, how it is mixed and how often it is changed.

   • 4.Use only hospital-level, EPA-registered disinfectants that are labeled as bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal.

     The rule's own words

     “Only hospital-level, EPA-registered disinfectants that are labeled as bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal may be used.”

   • 5.Make disinfectant solutions daily and dispose of them at the end of the day, unless the disinfectant label says otherwise.

     The rule's own words

     “Unless otherwise directed by the disinfectant label, disinfectant solutions must be made daily and disposed of at the end of the day.”

4. Cleaning tools between clients

   How combs, shears, nippers and other reusable tools are cleaned and disinfected after each client.

   • 6.Before disinfecting, remove visible debris and wash tools with soap and water or a cleaning agent, then rinse and dry them.

     The rule's own words

     “Before disinfecting any surface or item, any visible debris and disposable parts must be removed and the surface or item must be washed with soap and water or a cleaning agent, rinsed thoroughly, and dried before being disinfected.”

   • 7.Fully submerge tools and implements, including handles, in disinfectant in a covered container for the full contact time on the manufacturer's directions.

     The rule's own words

     “All surfaces of a tool or implement, including handles, must be disinfected by fully submerging the item in disinfectant in a covered container for the full contact time listed in the manufacturer's directions.”

5. Storing clean and used tools

   Clean tools kept covered and apart from used ones, so nothing dirty touches the next client.

   • 8.Store disinfected tools and linens in clean, closed containers, cupboards or drawers, or on a clean towel, never touching unclean items.

     The rule's own words

     “Disinfected items must be stored in clean, closed containers, cupboards or drawers, or on a clean towel and covered with a clean cloth towel or clean drape, and must not come into contact with contaminated items or nondisinfected items.”

   • 9.Right after each service, put used tools, implements and linens in covered, closed containers labeled "used", unless they are cleaned and disinfected right away.

     The rule's own words

     “Immediately after each service, tools, implements, linens, and other nonelectrical items that have been removed from clean storage must be placed in covered and closed containers labeled "used" or immediately cleaned and disinfected or sterilized.”

6. Single-use items

   What must be thrown away after one client because it cannot be disinfected.

   • 10.Nail files are single-use, so throw them away after one client, unless they are metal, glass or crystal.

     The rule's own words

     “All nail files are single-use items unless made of metal, glass, or crystal.”

7. Towels, capes and linens

   Clean towels stored closed, used ones in a covered container until laundered.

   • 11.Use each towel, robe and linen on only one client, then wash with detergent and hot water in a washing machine and dry on hot.

     The rule's own words

     “Each towel, robe, and linen used to cover or protect customers must be used only once and then be laundered with detergent and hot water in a washing machine, dried on hot, and immediately stored in a clean, covered container.”

   • 12.Store used or soiled towels, linens and capes in closed containers labeled "used.".

     The rule's own words

     “Used or soiled towels, linens, and capes must be stored in closed containers labeled "used."”

8. Water, sinks and restroom

   Hot and cold running water, sinks and a restroom with a place to wash hands.

   • 13.Have at least one designated sink for handwashing and for cleaning and disinfecting tools and implements.

     The rule's own words

     “Each salon must have at least one designated sink for handwashing and cleaning and disinfecting of tools and implements.”

   • 14.Restrooms need a sink with hot and cold running potable water, a toilet, soap, towels or a hot air dryer, and a clean waste receptacle emptied daily.

     The rule's own words

     “Restrooms must have a sink with hot and cold running potable water plumbed in, toilet, liquid or foam soap, single-service paper or cloth towels or a hot air hand dryer, and a clean waste receptacle emptied daily.”

9. Pedicure equipment

   How foot spas and pedicure basins are cleaned after each client and at the end of the day, and the log some states require.

   • 15.At the end of each business day, clean and disinfect each pedicure tub and basin, following the after-service procedures.Pedicures

     The rule's own words

     “At the end of each business day, each tub or basin must be cleaned and disinfected following the procedures in item A.”

   • 16.Keep every pedicure tub and basin clean and disinfected at all times, even if it is broken or not in service.Pedicures

     The rule's own words

     “Pedicure tubs of all kinds must always be maintained in a clean and disinfected condition as identified in items A and B, even if the tub is broken or not in service.”

10. Banned products and tools

    Products, tools and practices the state's rules forbid outright.

    • 17.Methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid monomer, formalin tablets and liquids, and other fumigants are prohibited and must not be used in the salon.

      The rule's own words

      “Prohibited substances in salons are methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid monomers, formalin tablets, formalin liquids, and other fumigants.”

    • 18.Remove razor-type callus shavers, credo blades, rasps and graters: they are prohibited and must not be present in the salon.

      The rule's own words

      “Skin cutting equipment, including razor-type callus shavers, credo blades, rasps, or graters and other implements that are used to remove corns or calluses by cutting below the skin surface are prohibited and must not be present in a salon.”

11. The premises

    Floors, walls, light, air, waste bins and keeping living space and food out of the work area.

    • 19.Keep floors clean and free of hair, nails, skin, wax, liquids and other debris at all times, and in good repair.

      The rule's own words

      “All floors must be kept clean and free from hair, nails, skin, wax, liquids, and other debris at all times and be in good repair”

12. First aid and safety

    A first aid kit, what to do after a cut or blood exposure, and other safety rules.

    • 20.Keep a readily accessible first aid kit meeting National Standard ANSI Z308.1-2015 or the most recent version of the standard.

      The rule's own words

      “Each salon must maintain a readily accessible first aid kit meeting National Standard ANSI Z308.1-2015 or the most recent version of the standard.”