Nevada cosmetology board approves one new spa license, denies several variance requests and resolves multiple citation appeals

CARSON CITY — The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology on Oct. 13 considered licensing and enforcement matters spanning student hour transfers, continuing-education credit disputes, home‑based salon variances, new establishment applications and contested citations. The board unanimously approved a new establishment license under conditions for a massage spa, denied several petitions for variances and reciprocity, tabled one contested establishment while the matter is before a court, and resolved a series of contested citations and license‑application disputes with a mix of denials, reduced fines and fee waivers.

The board’s vote package matters were the most consequential part of the meeting: staff recommended action on more than a dozen petitions and board members voted on each. The decisions affect whether individual licensees can count earlier training toward Nevada credentials; whether home or garage‑attached spaces can be used as cosmetology establishments; whether continuing-education credits may be accepted retroactively; and whether citings for practicing or operating outside licensed scope will remain on records or be reduced.

Pure Massage Spa approved under probationary conditions

The board granted an establishment license to Pure Massage Spa (U101024510) but only on a probationary basis with multiple named conditions intended to address prior enforcement concerns and to preserve public safety. Staff recommended, and the board adopted, a two‑year maximum initial license (rather than a full four‑year term) with conditions including regular inspections by board staff; unlocked doors and removal of internal doors providing access to hallways during business hours; a requirement that a licensee covered by the cosmetology board be present and actively overseeing services at all times; a prohibition on using cosmetology rooms to provide massage services (and vice versa); administrative review of any floor‑plan changes; and immediate voluntary surrender and potential discipline if the probationary conditions are violated. The motion to approve carried unanimously (no roll call tally recorded in the transcript).

Denied, tabled and modified petitions

- Credit transfer (variance) — Christiane Liggins (ST0101022053) asked the board for a variance to allow hours earned in an “advanced aesthetics” program to count toward the basic aesthetic program under NAC 644A.640. Board staff and counsel explained the current regulation does not permit reverse transfers from advanced to basic and that the school transcript showed only 200 basic hours. The board voted to deny the variance (motion by Board member Douglas; second by Board member Harris). Outcome: denied.

- Continuing education (CEU) — Aaron Gomez (I46468) asked the board to accept CEUs that had been recorded with her as the instructor. Staff testified and showed provider applications listing Gomez as the instructor; board policy bars an individual from receiving CEU credit for a course they themselves taught and also prohibits back‑dating provider applications. The board denied the petition (motion by Board member Douglas; second by Board member Harris). Outcome: denied.

- Home‑based salon / permanent plumbing variance — Sage Steele (U101024456) sought variances to allow a dispensary sink in an attached garage and to use a shampoo bowl as a dispensary sink for a salon space attached to her home. Staff’s inspection photos and site plan were discussed at length. Board members raised concerns about setting precedent for home salons and about access/egress and fire safety if the garage entrance is closed. After discussion the board denied the variance with the invite to return with a revised plan that seals and separates the space and addresses plumbing access (motion to deny by Board member Douglas; second by Board member Harris). Outcome: denied; petitioner invited to reapply with revised plans.

- Reciprocity / license transfer — The board reviewed an application that staff could not verify (Ying Fang Su / reciprocity records from Temple City Beauty College) and found incomplete/handwritten attendance records, missing documented credits for Nevada‑required skincare hours and a prior disciplinary history for an unrelated massage license that had not been disclosed on the cosmetology reciprocity…