South Carolina salon inspection checklist

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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.Display the salon license in a conspicuous place.

     The rule's own words

     “Upon approval of a salon, a salon license must be issued and the license must be displayed in a conspicuous place.”

   • 2.Post a current state license for each employee or booth renter, with the required photo.

     The rule's own words

     “I have a current state license posted for each employee or booth renter with required photo.”

2. Other required postings

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

   • 3.Post a copy of the board's sanitary regulations in a conspicuous place in the salon.

     The rule's own words

     “A copy of sanitary regulations adopted by the board must be furnished by the board to the owner or manager of each salon or school in the State, and the copy must be posted in a conspicuous place in each salon and school.”

   • 4.Sign and post a copy of the self-inspection report inside the salon.

     The rule's own words

     “I have signed and posted a copy of this self-inspection report inside the salon as”

3. The disinfectant

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

   • 5.Use an EPA-registered disinfectant with bactericidal, fungicidal, pseudomonacidal and virucidal activity, used according to the manufacturer's instructions including concentration and contact time.

     The rule's own words

     “(b) totally immerse implements in, or spray/wipe, with an EPA-registered disinfectant with demonstrated bactericidal, fungicidal, pseudomonacidal and virucidal activity used according to manufacturer’s instructions including concentration and contact time requirements.”

   • 6.Change disinfectant solutions daily, or sooner if visible debris is present or they become cloudy.

     The rule's own words

     “shall be changed daily or sooner if visible debris is present or becomes cloudy, per the”

4. Cleaning tools between clients

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

   • 7.Before disinfecting, clean non-electrical tools with soap or detergent and water or a chemical cleaner, then rinse and dry them completely.

     The rule's own words

     “clean with soap (or detergent) and water or a chemical cleaner, rinse, and dry completely;”

   • 8.Disinfect clippers, scalp vibrators and other electrical tools before each use.

     The rule's own words

     “Licensees and students must disinfect clippers, scalp vibrators, and other electrical implements prior to each use by:”

5. Storing clean and used tools

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

   • 9.Store disinfected tools in a clean, dry, covered container.

     The rule's own words

     “All disinfected implements must be stored in a clean, dry, covered container such as a clean”

   • 10.Keep used tools that are not yet disinfected in a closed receptacle labeled 'soiled' or 'items to be disinfected' until they can be properly disinfected.

     The rule's own words

     “manner) must be placed in a closed receptacle labeled ‘‘soiled’’ or ‘‘items to be disinfected’’ until such time as they can be properly disinfected.”

6. Single-use items

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

   • 11.Throw away porous items that touch a client and cannot be disinfected, such as cotton pads, nail abrasives/buffers and neck strips, in a covered waste receptacle after use.

     The rule's own words

     “Licensees and students must dispose of all porous supplies or materials which come in direct contact with a patron and cannot be disinfected (for example, cotton pads, nail abrasives/buffers and neck strips) in a covered waste receptacle immediately after their use or when the service is completed.”

   • 12.Use roll-on wax on one client only, then throw it away.Skin and waxing

     The rule's own words

     “Roll on wax must be single-use only and disposed of after each use.”

7. Towels, capes and linens

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

   • 13.Put used cloth towels in a closed, vented container labeled 'soiled linens' until they are laundered.

     The rule's own words

     “(1) Used, disposable towels must be discarded. After a cloth towel has been used once, it must be deposited in a closed, vented receptacle, labeled ‘‘soiled linens’’ and shall not be used again until properly laundered.”

8. Water, sinks and restroom

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

   • 14.Provide running hot and cold water and drainage in rooms used for the salon.

     The rule's own words

     “All salons and schools shall have running hot and cold water and drainage in rooms used for salons or schools.”

   • 15.Keep a working toilet and hand-washing sink with hot and cold water, soap and disposable towels; restrooms may not be used for storage.

     The rule's own words

     “consisting of at least one commode and one lavatory in good working order, with hot and cold running water, soap and disposable towels. Restrooms may not be used for storage.”

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.

   • 16.After each client, drain the pedicure bowl and clean it with soap or detergent and a brush to remove all film.Pedicures

     The rule's own words

     “(a) After each client: (i) Drain tub completely. (ii) Clean with soap/detergent and brush to remove all film from bowl.”

10. Banned products and tools

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

    • 17.Do not use methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid monomer.

      The rule's own words

      “Licensees may not use any of the following substances, products or tools while performing cosmetology or related services: (1) Methyl Methacrylate Liquid Monomers (MMA).”

    • 18.Do not use razor-type callus shavers, such as credo blades or rasps.

      The rule's own words

      “(2) Razor-type callus shavers designed and intended to cut growths of skin such as corns and calluses (e.g. credo blades, rasps).”

11. The premises

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

    • 19.Do not use the salon as living, dining or sleeping quarters.

      The rule's own words

      “(4) The use of a salon or school as living, dining or sleeping quarters is prohibited.”

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 first aid kit and a fire extinguisher in place.

      The rule's own words

      “I have in place the required first aid kit and fire extinguisher.”