General Information: Board, Definitions and Scope of Practice
About 4 of every 30 questions on a Minnesota State Exam practice exam come from this topic.
Sources checked
What to know
The board has seven members appointed by the governor: two cosmetologists, two school instructors (one at a public and one at a private cosmetology school), one advanced practice esthetician, one nail technician and one public member; the cosmetologist, advanced practice esthetician and nail technician members must have practiced at least five years immediately before appointment. The legislature licenses cosmetology for public health and safety because of infection control and the use of chemicals, implements and apparatus requiring special skills and education, and it is unlawful to practice cosmetology or operate a school or salon except as sections 155A.23 to 155A.36 provide. Cosmetology is personal services, for compensation, for the cosmetic care of the hair, nails and skin, and compensation includes nonmonetary remuneration. Under the 2026 definitions, the skin care of cosmetologists and estheticians is limited to the stratum corneum of the epidermal layer of the skin surface, while advanced practice estheticians may use mechanical or electrical apparatus on the epidermal layer; nail technology is the cosmetic care of the hands, feet and nails, it excludes waxing and other esthetician services, and nail technicians may not use any tool that penetrates the skin. A salon does not include a customer's home, and a place that only offers continuing education is not a school. A person who only performs hairstyling is not a hair technician; a hair technician applicant must be at least 17, complete 900 hours at a Minnesota-licensed cosmetology school, and submit passing test results no more than one year old. Hair braiding, threading and services listed as unregulated in the rules, such as microblading and makeup for film or media productions, are outside board regulation, and laser is the practice of medicine, not an advanced practice esthetic service.
Where it comes from
- Minn. Stat. § 155A.20
- Minn. Stat. § 155A.21
- Minn. Stat. § 155A.22
- Minn. Stat. § 155A.23
- Minn. Stat. § 155A.2705
- Minn. Stat. § 155A.28
- Minn. R. 2105.0010
- Minn. R. 2105.0105
Try a practice question
How many members serve on the board, and who appoints them?
- AFive members, appointed by the governor
- BNine members, elected by licensees
- CSeven members, appointed by the governor
- DSeven members, chosen by the legislature
Show the answer
Seven members, appointed by the governor. Section 155A.20 establishes a seven-member board whose members are appointed by the governor.
Minn. Stat. § 155A.20, para. (a)
Ready for a full run? The Minnesota Cosmetology State Exam Practice Test is 30 questions in 60 minutes, scored at 75%. For the official exam's details, see Minnesota Cosmetology State Exam Requirements.