In response to citizen's complaints, PEER evaluated the operations of the State Board of Barber Examiners. The Legislature created the Board of Barber Examiners in 1930 to regulate the barbering profession in Mississippi. The board is designed to meet the consuming public's expectation to be protected from the spread of infections and diseases while receiving acceptable barber services from competent and skilled professionals.
State law provides the board with authority to regulate the state's barbering profession.
Individuals cannot practice barbering in Mississippi unless they are licensed by the board and shops cannot operate without a board license. Accordingly, individuals cannot teach at barber schools in the state without an instructor's license. Although the board has established examination and inspection processes, these have not adequately regulated Mississippi's barbering profession. As a result, the board cannot ensure the public that barbers have demonstrated the required knowledge and skills or that barbers consistently adhere to sanitary standards. In the area of examination and licensure, the board does not consistently verify the completeness and accuracy of educational and training information submitted by licensure applicants.