A new California law closes a loophole that allowed unlicensed managers to oversee salon services—and it affects how you staff your business.
Most salon and barbershop owners in California don't realize they may already be out of compliance with a provision buried in SB1363, a bill focused on barbering and cosmetology licensing. The rule is simple on its face but has real operational consequences: every establishment must have a licensed professional physically in charge whenever any service is being performed.
Under the prior system, a salon could operate with an unlicensed manager or even an apprentice overseeing services, as long as a licensed person was somewhere on the premises. SB1363 closes that loophole. Now, the person directly in charge during service delivery must hold one of these licenses: barber, cosmetologist, electrologist, esthetician, hairstylist, manicurist, or establishment license.
This amendment, found in SEC. 14 of the bill (which modifies Business and Professions Code Section 7348), shifts responsibility from mere presence to active supervision by a qualified licensee.
The rule applies to all barbershops, hair salons, nail salons, waxing studios, and other personal care establishments operating under California's cosmetology and barbering licensing system. Whether you're a solo operator or run a multi-chair salon, you need a licensed person directing services whenever they're happening.
This is particularly significant for owners who rely on unlicensed office managers, receptionists, or shift supervisors to oversee operations. Those staff members can still work in your salon—they just cannot be "in charge" during service hours.
The law doesn't define "in charge" with surgical precision, but the intent is clear: active oversight and responsibility for the services being delivered. This likely means the licensed person must be present, aware of what services are occurring, and able to intervene if standards aren't being met. A licensed owner working in the back room while an unlicensed manager runs the front desk probably doesn't satisfy the requirement.
Non-compliance exposes your establishment to administrative fines and potential disciplinary action from the California Department of Consumer Affairs, which oversees cosmetology and barbering licensing. These aren't minor penalties—enforcement actions can affect your establishment license and your ability to operate.
SB1363, as amended on August 17, 2026, becomes effective upon enactment under California's standard operative date rules. This means the requirement is already in effect or will be very shortly, depending on when the governor signed the bill.
Review your current staffing and scheduling. If you have shifts where an unlicensed person is managing operations, you need to restructure. Options include scheduling a licensed staff member during those hours, adjusting your business model to owner-operated shifts, or hiring additional licensed personnel.
Document your compliance efforts. Keep records showing that a licensed person was present and in charge during all service hours. This protects you if the Department of Consumer Affairs ever questions your operations.
For a detailed, free resource guide on SB1363 compliance tailored to salon and barbershop operations, contact your local cosmetology trade association or the California Department of Consumer Affairs.