New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue 1 /
January 13, 2026
This is an amendment to
16.34.5 NMAC Sections 8, 11, 14, 18, effective 1/13/2026.
16.34.5.8 GENERAL
LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:
A. Any person is eligible to be registered as a practitioner and is qualified to receive a license as a registered barber, cosmetologist, hairstylist, manicurist, esthetician, manicurist/esthetician, or electrologist who submits proof that the applicant:
(1) is at least 17 years of age;
(2) has
completed the course of study for the license in a licensed school within the
preceding [12] 24 months; or for a barber license, proof that the
applicant has either completed the course of study in a licensed school within
the preceding 24 months or has successfully completed a barber apprenticeship
program registered by the state apprenticeship agency within the preceding 24
months;
(3) has paid the required fees as set forth in these rules; and
(4) has passed the practical and written examination conducted by the board.
B. Any person is eligible for initial registration or re-registration as an instructor and is qualified to receive a license as an instructor who submits proof that the applicant has met all the above requirements and in addition:
(1) [for
barber instructors,] has an education equivalent to the completion of four
years of high school; [and].
(2) holds a current license in New Mexico as a practitioner in the field in which the applicant is seeking licensure as an instructor.
(3) submits
a transcript showing successful completion of a 500-hour instructor training
course or proof of two years of current and consecutive work experience.
(4) passes
the instructor licensing examination.
[(3)]
(5) [Applications] applications
are valid for one year from date of receipt.
[(4)]
(6) [All] application
fees are non-refundable.
[16.34.5.8 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 34.5.8, 6/16/2001; A, 7/16/2004; A, 12/17/2015; A, 10/29/2016; A, 7/14/2018, A, 12/27/2022; A, 8/29/2023 A, 1/13/2026]
16.34.5.11 MANICURIST/PEDICURIST
LICENSE [400] 600 HOURS OR EQUIVALENT CREDIT):
A. A manicurist/pedicurist license permits the practitioner to:
(1) trim the nails of a person, including the trimming of otherwise healthy ingrown toenails;
(2) reduce corns or callouses by using softening preparations or abrasion in order to beautify the foot;
(3) use chemical substances on the nails for the purpose of strengthening, repairing, or lengthening the nails using nail tips, wraps, or acrylic nail products. Nail extensions may be applied only after the nails, cuticles and nail plate have been properly prepared for the service and applicable product;
(4) apply massage and manipulations to the hands, arms and feet for the purpose of stimulating and smoothing;
(5) apply polish, oils or other cosmetic preparations for the purpose of beautifying the hands and feet.
B. A manicurist/pedicurist shall not treat an obviously infected ingrown to a nail or use any technique involving mechanical penetration of the skin beneath a callous or corn.
C. A manicurist/pedicurist shall not perform any type of temporary or permanent hair removal techniques without first obtaining appropriate licensure.
[16.34.5.11 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 34.5.11, 6/16/2001; A, 12/17/2015 A, 1/13/2026]
16.34.5.14 INSTRUCTOR
LICENSE [1000] 500 HOURS OR EQUIVALENT CREDIT):
A. An instructor license permits the instructor to teach only those courses or subjects in which he/she has had practical training and received licensure as a practitioner as follows;
(1) a cosmetologist who obtains a cosmetologist instructor license can teach all phases of cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring/pedicuring and salon business, but cannot teach or supervise shaving.
(2) a barber who obtains a barber instructor license can teach barbering, esthetics and salon business, but cannot teach or supervise manicuring/pedicuring.
(3) a manicurist/pedicurist who obtains a license as a manicuring instructor can teach manicuring/pedicuring and salon business, but cannot teach or supervise other cosmetology or barbering services.
(4) an esthetician who obtains a license as an esthetician instructor can teach esthetics and salon business, but cannot teach or supervise other cosmetology, barbering, manicuring/pedicuring or electrology services.
(5) an electrologist who obtains a license as an electrology instructor can teach electrology and salon business, but cannot teach or supervise, cosmetology, barbering, manicuring or esthetic services.
(6) a manicurist/esthetician who obtains a license as a manicurist/esthetician instructor can teach manicuring/pedicuring, esthetics and salon business, but cannot teach or supervise other cosmetology, barbering, or electrology services.
(7) a
hairstylist who obtains a license as a hairstylist instructor can teach
hairstyling and salon business, but cannot teach or supervise other
cosmetology, barbering, manicuring/pedicuring, esthetics or electrology
services.
B. Teaching or supervising unauthorized subjects or courses may lead to revocation of the instructor license or other disciplinary action by the board.
[16.34.5.14 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 34.5.14, 6/16/2001 A, 1/13/2026]
16.34.5.18 EXEMPTIONS:
The following persons are exempt from the provision of the Barbers and
Cosmetologists Act while in the discharge of their professional duties:
A. Persons licensed by the law of this
state to practice medicine and surgery or chiropractic;
B. commissioned medical or surgical
officers of the United States Army, Navy, Marine or Air force hospital
services;
C. registered nurses;
D. funeral service practitioners;
E. persons providing only eyebrow
threading services. However, the establishment where services are being
provided must have a current establishment license;
F. persons providing only hair
braiding services; or
G. persons who are employed as make-up
artists or hairstylists for theatrical or cinematic productions only. Services
must be provided at production or film locations only.
[16.34.5.18 NMAC - N, 1/13/2026]