Rhode Island salon inspections

Rhode Island salon inspection checklist

The Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering inspects Rhode Island salons against the state's sanitation rules. A new salon is inspected before it may open, and inspected again once it is running. Below are the 18 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
Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering
Before opening
Inspected first
Rules on this list
18
Official form
Published
Foot spa log
Not stated
MMA nail liquid
Banned

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

How it works

How Rhode Island inspects salons

Inspections are done by the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering. A new salon is inspected before it may open or before its license is issued, so have everything below in place before you book it.

Inspectors may enter a licensed shop during the hours it is open for business.

“may enter any shop, place of business, or establishment licensed under the provisions of this chapter during the hours the shop, place of business, establishment, or school of barbering, manicuring, or hairdressing and cosmetic therapy is open for business”
webserver.rilegislature.gov
The board's own form: Requirements for RIDOH Inspection Compliance (in the shop license application)Published by the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering on health.ri.gov. The checklist below puts the rules behind it in plain words you can tick off.

The checklist

What Rhode Island 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.Keep the shop license posted in a conspicuous place on the premises.

    • 2.Keep professional licenses posted in view.

  2. The disinfectant

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

    • 3.Disinfect combs, brushes, and sharp or electric tools with an EPA-registered disinfectant that kills bacteria, fungi and viruses, used per the manufacturer's instructions.

  3. Storing clean and used tools

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

    • 4.Store cleaned tools until their next use in a way that prevents recontamination.

  4. Single-use items

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

    • 5.Never reuse depilatories or paraffin wax that has touched a client's body.

  5. Towels, capes and linens

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

    • 6.Use a clean towel for each client.

    • 7.Put used linens and towels in a closed container after use.

    • 8.Launder used linens and towels in water at least 140°F for at least 15 minutes, or use a commercial laundry.

  6. Water, sinks and restroom

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

    • 9.Have an adequate supply of potable hot and cold water.

    • 10.Wash hands between clients with soap and warm water.

    • 11.Each hand-washing sink needs a soap dispenser and disposable towels or an air dryer.

  7. Banned products and tools

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

    • 12.Do not have or use nail products containing methyl methacrylate (MMA).Nail services

    • 13.Razor blade callus shavers are prohibited.

    • 14.Straight-edge multi-use razors are prohibited; use only single-use razors and discard them after each use.

  8. The premises

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

    • 15.Floors must have washable floor coverings.

    • 16.Provide covered receptacles for debris.

    • 17.No animals, fowl or reptiles may be kept in the shop, including comfort, emotional support or therapy animals.

  9. First aid and safety

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

    • 18.Meet the fire safety requirements of the State Fire Code.

Questions

Rhode Island salon inspections, answered

What do salon inspectors check in Rhode Island?
the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering inspectors check the salon against Rhode Island's sanitation rules (216-RICR-40-05-4, Barbers, Hairdressers/Cosmeticians, Manicurists and Estheticians). The rules we read cover licenses posted, disinfectant, tool storage, single-use items, towels and linens, water and restroom, banned items, premises and safety: 18 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 Rhode Island?
Yes. the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering inspects a new salon before it may open or before the license is issued, per the state's official pages. Have every item on this list in place before you book that inspection. The license steps are on the Rhode Island salon license page.
How are salons inspected in Rhode Island?
Inspectors may enter a licensed shop during the hours it is open for business.
Does Rhode Island have an official salon inspection checklist?
Yes. the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering publishes its own: Requirements for RIDOH Inspection Compliance (in the shop license application). 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.
Is MMA banned in Rhode Island nail salons?
Yes. Rhode Island'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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Rhode Island Salon Inspection Checklist (2026) | SalonAI