New York salon inspections
New York salon inspection checklist
The New York Department of State inspects New York 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 York Department of State
- Before opening
- Not inspected first
- Rules on this list
- 20
- Official form
- Published
- Foot spa log
- Not stated
- MMA nail liquid
- Banned
Read from the official sources on October 19, 2026.The full rules New York salon license
How it works
How New York inspects salons
Inspections are done by the New York Department of State. A new salon is not inspected before it opens; inspections come once it is licensed, so be ready from your first day.
Appearance enhancement businesses are subject to reasonable inspection by state representatives at any reasonable time and without notice.
“An appearance enhancement business shall be subject to reasonable inspection by representatives of the department at any reasonable time and without notice.”
The checklist
What New York 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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New York salon inspection checklist
salonai.studio/salon-inspection-checklist/new-york
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 business license certificate in a conspicuous place in the licensed premises.
2.Post each practitioner's license at the station or location where they work.
Other required postings
Some states also want their rules, a consumer notice or the last inspection report on the wall.
3.Post a sign at the entrance saying the business and its operators are licensed by the Department of State and that the rules are available on request.
The disinfectant
What the disinfectant must be, how it is mixed and how often it is changed.
4.Use only disinfectants registered by the EPA as hospital grade, with active ingredients and scope of activity clearly described on the original label.
5.Keep invoices for all sterilants and disinfectants used in the shop for two years, and have them available at inspection.
Cleaning tools between clients
How combs, shears, nippers and other reusable tools are cleaned and disinfected after each client.
6.After each client, clean combs, brushes and other hair implements with warm water and soap or detergent to remove all hair and scalp debris.Hair services
7.Fully immerse hair implements in an EPA hospital grade disinfectant and soak them for 10 minutes or more.Hair services
Storing clean and used tools
Clean tools kept covered and apart from used ones, so nothing dirty touches the next client.
8.Keep clean implements and supplies, such as towels, in containers separate from used ones.
Single-use items
What must be thrown away after one client because it cannot be disinfected.
9.Do not use an emery board on more than one person.Nail services
10.Do not use a razor for more than one application.
Towels, capes and linens
Clean towels stored closed, used ones in a covered container until laundered.
11.Serve every client with clean, freshly laundered linen or disposable towels, and put used ones right away in a covered receptacle used only for that purpose.
Water, sinks and restroom
Hot and cold running water, sinks and a restroom with a place to wash hands.
12.Provide hot and cold running water in the salon.
13.Keep hand washing facilities available in all lavatories, with paper towels or hot air dryers for drying hands.
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.
14.Clean, rinse and disinfect finger bowls, pedicure bowls and footbaths after each client.Nail services
Banned products and tools
Products, tools and practices the state's rules forbid outright.
15.Do not sell, use or apply monomeric methyl methacrylate on any person.
16.Do not use Credo knives; they are prohibited.
17.Do not use styptic pencils.
The premises
Floors, walls, light, air, waste bins and keeping living space and food out of the work area.
18.Keep covered containers for hair, paper and other waste in the salon.
19.Keep floors clean and in good repair, with no build-up of dust or hair.
First aid and safety
A first aid kit, what to do after a cut or blood exposure, and other safety rules.
20.Keep Safety Data Sheets on file for inspection, in written or electronic form that all employees can readily access.
Questions
New York salon inspections, answered
What do salon inspectors check in New York?
Is a new salon inspected before it opens in New York?
How are salons inspected in New York?
Does New York have an official salon inspection checklist?
Is MMA banned in New York nail salons?
Plan the rest
Get the rest of the salon ready
- Every step to opening a salon, as a checklist for your state
- The salon license, fees and who must be licensed
- Which services and products the state taxes, and the sales tax permit
- What it costs to open a salon, line by line
- A client intake and consultation form
- A cancellation and no-show policy
Salon inspection checklists for other states
Ready when you are
Pass the inspection, then fill the chairs
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