New Mexico salon inspections

New Mexico salon inspection checklist

The New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists inspects New Mexico salons against the state's sanitation rules. A new salon is not inspected before it opens, so it has to meet these rules from its first day. Below are the 20 rules an inspector checks, from the state's own rules and inspection pages, each beside the rule's own words. Tick them off as you get ready, filter by the services you offer, and print the list.

Inspected by
New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Before opening
Not inspected first
Rules on this list
20
Official form
Published
Foot spa log
Required, keep 12 months
MMA nail liquid
Banned

Read from the official sources on October 19, 2026.The full rules New Mexico salon license

How it works

How New Mexico inspects salons

Inspections are done by the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. A new salon is not inspected before it opens; inspections come once it is licensed, so be ready from your first day.

Licensed establishments may be entered and inspected by board members, employees or agents at any time during regular business hours.

“may enter and inspect at any time during regular business hours”
srca.nm.gov
The board's own form: Tips for a Successful Inspection (the board's inspection guide)Published by the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists on rld.nm.gov. The checklist below puts the rules behind it in plain words you can tick off.

The checklist

What New Mexico inspectors check

Every rule below is from the state's own rules, beside its own words. An inspector can check anything in the rules, so read them in full once before you open.

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  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 establishment license and individual licenses where the public can see them.

  2. Other required postings

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

    • 2.Post the most recent inspection report where the public can see it.

  3. The disinfectant

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

    • 3.Use only EPA-registered disinfectants that are bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal.

  4. Cleaning tools between clients

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

    • 4.Keep items immersed or visibly moist with disinfectant for the entire contact time.

    • 5.After each client, wipe implements with a clean paper or fabric towel.

  5. Storing clean and used tools

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

    • 6.Separate and label all drawers and implements.

  6. Single-use items

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

    • 7.Throw away pedicure tub liners immediately after each use.Pedicures

    • 8.Use a new waxing stick for each wax application, and never double-dip.Skin and waxing

  7. Water, sinks and restroom

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

    • 9.Keep hot and cold running water available and working for services.

  8. 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.

    • 10.Clean and disinfect pedicure basin filters and drains after each use.Pedicures

    • 11.Disinfect pedicure basins between clients and at the end of the day.Pedicures

    • 12.Keep a log of each pedicure basin disinfection showing the legible signature and license number of the person who did it.Pedicures

  9. Banned products and tools

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

    • 13.Do not apply liquid monomeric methyl methacrylate (MMA) to anyone.

    • 14.Do not use credo blades, callus shavers, rasps, graters or any other razor-edged tool to remove skin.

    • 15.Do not allow pets without service animal identification.

  10. The premises

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

    • 16.Thoroughly clean floors each day.

    • 17.Sweep up hair cuttings after each haircut and put them in a closed receptacle.Hair services

    • 18.Do not use the salon for living or sleeping quarters or any residential purpose.

  11. First aid and safety

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

    • 19.Bag all blood-soiled porous items and dispose of them in the trash.

    • 20.Keep filled contaminated waste containers on site for no more than 90 days.

Questions

New Mexico salon inspections, answered

What do salon inspectors check in New Mexico?
the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists inspectors check the salon against New Mexico's sanitation rules (16.34.7 NMAC, Establishments and Enterprises). The rules we read cover licenses posted, required notices, disinfectant, tool cleaning, tool storage, single-use items, water and restroom, pedicure equipment, banned items, premises and safety: 20 rules in all, listed on this page with the rule's own words. An inspector can check anything in the state's rules, so read the full rules once before opening.
Is a new salon inspected before it opens in New Mexico?
No. the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists inspects salons after the license is issued, per the state's official pages, so the salon must meet these rules from its first day. The license steps are on the New Mexico salon license page.
How are salons inspected in New Mexico?
Licensed establishments may be entered and inspected by board members, employees or agents at any time during regular business hours.
Does New Mexico have an official salon inspection checklist?
Yes. the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists publishes its own: Tips for a Successful Inspection (the board's inspection guide). This page lists the rules behind it in plain words, each with the rule's own text, so you can tick them off and print them.
Do New Mexico nail salons need a foot spa cleaning log?
Yes. New Mexico's rules require a written record of foot spa or pedicure basin cleaning, kept for 12 months. Inspectors ask to see it, so keep it next to the pedicure station.
Is MMA banned in New Mexico nail salons?
Yes. New Mexico's rules prohibit methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid monomer in salons. Check the label of every acrylic liquid you buy.

Plan the rest

Get the rest of the salon ready

Salon inspection checklists for other states

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New Mexico Salon Inspection Checklist (2026) | SalonAI