SB 2566 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering; revise various provisions related to.

SB 2566 revises Mississippi's cosmetology and barbering licensing laws. It removes the requirement for license holders to display their licenses conspicuously (Section 73-7-11), exempts "master" license holders from renewing their underlying licenses (Sections 73-7-14, 73-7-35), and requires the Board to create rules for mobile salon licensing by January 1, 2027 (Section 73-7-17). The bill also adjusts renewal rules for professionals with 10+ years of experience and modifies examination and education requirements for apprenticeships and instructors. These changes directly affect cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, and their schools operating in Mississippi.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 16, 2026 Signed Apr 1, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the upper → Current version · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill amends the Mississippi Code to update the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, including changes to board member qualifications, executive director requirements, and licensing rules. Key updates include clarifying definitions, removing the requirement for license holders to display their license in a conspicuous place, and adjusting renewal rules for experienced professionals with expired licenses. The bill also modifies school licensing categories, updates reciprocity requirements for out-of-state practitioners, and introduces a new inactive status registration for licensed individuals not currently practicing.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of exemptions for unlicensed practice during periods when no board rules were in place and adjusts the applicability of license renewal exemptions based on experience and expiration duration.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for license owners to display their license in a conspicuous place in their principal office or place of business.

Deleted provisions requiring the issuance of temporary, probationary, conditional, and nonconditional licenses for schools, simplifying the school licensing structure.

Increased the temporary instructor permit duration from 90 days to six months.

Created a new provision authorizing the registration of licensed cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, or nail technicians in an inactive status for those not actively practicing in the state.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the license renewal exemption criteria for experienced professionals: from Jan 1, 2027, those with 10+ years of experience and licenses expired for no more than 5 years can renew without an exam; prior to that date, those with 10+ years of experience and licenses expired for no more than 10 years can renew without an exam.

Updated reciprocity requirements for instructors to include specific criteria regarding licensure status in other states or territories and similar education requirements.

DEFINITION

Replaced the phrase 'facial treatments' with 'esthetics services' in the code definitions.

TIMELINE

Added a sunset provision stating that the act shall stand repealed on June 30, 2028.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that unlicensed practice by individuals who have passed the prescribed examination during periods when no board rules were in place shall not be subject to discipline or fines.

As Introduced → Committee Substitute · 11 edits

MAJOR

This bill consolidates the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering into a single unified entity to streamline governance and reduce redundancy. It establishes new eligibility requirements for board members and the executive director, clarifies definitions of regulated professions to exclude minor services like makeup artistry, and introduces an 'inactive' license status for professionals not currently practicing. The bill also updates examination standards, modifies penalty structures, and provides fee exemptions for certain applicants.

Scope change

The bill changes the scope by merging two previously separate boards into one unified State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, thereby altering the administrative structure and jurisdiction over cosmetology and barbering professions.

STRUCTURE

Created a unified State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering composed of seven members appointed by the Governor, replacing the separate State Board of Cosmetology and Board of Barber Examiners.

ELIGIBILITY

Established specific qualifications for board members, requiring five years of state residency, age 30, a high school education, and at least ten years of active practice in a regulated profession.

Set new qualifications for the Executive Director, requiring a bachelor's degree and three years of management experience in business, healthcare, or finance.

DEFINITION

Refined definitions of cosmetology, barbering, and esthetics to explicitly exclude practices limited to makeup artistry, threading, or eyelash extensions, though allowing combinations of up to three such practices.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new 'inactive' license status allowing licensed professionals to register without active practice, requiring renewal fees and continuing education to reactivate.

Increased the duration of temporary instructor permits from 90 days to six months.

Removed the requirement for license holders to display their license in a conspicuous place at all times.

Added a requirement for continuing education courses on human trafficking and domestic violence for initial license renewals.

Clarified that unlicensed practice by individuals who passed the exam but lacked formal rules in place is not subject to discipline or fines.

ENFORCEMENT

Adjusted penalty fines for violations, with Class A fines ranging from $50 to $200 and Class C fines ranging from $500 to $750.

EXEMPTIONS

Provided fee exemptions for applicants participating in Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC programs and for military families under the Military Family Freedom Act.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026 · House Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

44–8

Passed

Total votes 52

Feb 11, 2026

D Democratic18

18 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican34

26 Yea 8 Nay

76% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 1, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Concurred in Amend From House

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Committee

Referred To Business and Commerce

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed As Amended

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Referred To Public Health and Welfare

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors