Nail Salon Inspections in Connecticut and New York

Although Connecticut now requires licensure for manicurists, it previously relied on inspection systems to ensure health and safety. The responsibility for enforcing health and safety standards largely was, and is, borne by local health departments and districts. For this reason, there may be variation in who conducts inspections and in the specific standards enforced. The same bill that relicensed manicurists required the creation of a more uniform inspection form and guidelines for nail salons. However, even prior to relicensure, health directors (or their representatives) had the power to enforce public health regulations in nail salons. 1

As one example, the Meriden Health Department was, and is, responsible for conducting inspections of nail salons, as well as barbershops and hair salons, in the city of Meriden, Connecticut. The department’s inspection form listed 40 standards, and inspectors reported whether a salon was compliant or noncompliant with each. If salons were not compliant with certain standards (e.g., “Equipment/utensils used on customer cleaned and disinfected after each customer”), reinspection was required, along with an associated fee. 2  Repeated violations could result in suspension and revocation of the permit to operate the nail salon. 3 See Figure 2 for an example of a completed inspection form from Meriden.

Figure 2. Completed Inspection Report for a Nail Salon in Meriden, Connecticut

Note. Referenced attachment omitted for space and privacy reasons.

Compared to Connecticut, the New York inspection system is more centralized and standardized. The New York Department of State operates both the licensing and inspection systems. 4 Nail salons fall under the umbrella of “appearance enhancement businesses.” As such, they must adhere to the state’s more general standards for all such businesses, as well as to its specific standards for nail salons. 5  Appearance enhancement businesses are subject to inspections at any time, without notice, but inspections are typically conducted annually. 6 Violations can result in license suspension or revocation, as well as fines. 7 New York does not make its inspection rubric publicly available. However, the Department of State provides a self-inspection checklist for appearance enhancement businesses that identifies the most common issues inspectors look for. 8  The second page of the checklist is specific to health and safety and is provided in Figure 3. In the inspection data the state provided, there are seven health and safety violations, which include, for example, “No Use / Improper Disinfectants Used” and “Improperly Reprocessed / Stored Implements.”

Figure 3. Self-Inspection Checklist for Appearance Enhancement Business Owners in New York State (Second Page Only)

Note. First page covers establishment and personal license requirements.