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Barber Francisco Lemus urges reinstatement; board hears prior citations and default revocation
Summary
Francisco Lemus testified May 19, 2025, seeking reinstatement of a barber license revoked in 2018; the state introduced inspection reports and default orders into the record, and board members pressed him on prior health-and-safety violations and supervisory responsibilities.
Francisco Lemus appeared May 19, 2025, before the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and an administrative law judge to seek reinstatement of his barber license. The Office of Administrative Hearings record shows the state offered a petition packet as Exhibit 1, containing the petition for reinstatement, inspection reports and prior decisions, which was entered into evidence.
Deputy Attorney General Kevin J. Sheddig summarized the underlying history: Lemus was issued a barber license March 17, 2009, and an establishment license March 11, 2014; both were revoked effective August 31, 2018, following a default when he failed to file a notice of defense in a 2018 accusation. The state told the board Lemus had two citations in 2017 for employing unlicensed operators and for multiple health-and-safety violations. The current petition, the state said, did not include a personal statement or supporting documentation addressing rehabilitation.
Under oath, Lemus said he is now self-employed running a party‑supply business (tables, chairs, canopies and event catering) and that he stopped cutting hair after the revocation. He told the panel he has not worked as a barber since and said he seeks another opportunity "to give it another shot." He told the board that if reinstated he would likely work as an employee at a shop and continue his events business on weekends.
Board members questioned Lemus about rehabilitation steps. He said he had not done formal barbering continuing education beyond stopping cutting, but stated he understands shop-owner responsibilities, including supervising employees and ensuring station sanitation. Board president Tanya Fairley and other members pressed Lemus about specific health-and-safety concerns and the board’s need for assurances that a reinstated licensee would maintain sanitary tools and supervise staff.
Lemus acknowledged past management failures, accepted responsibility for station conditions cited in inspection photos and said he learned that running a shop requires stricter oversight of employees’ sanitation and licensing. He asked the board for a second chance, while the deputy attorney general deferred to the board for a final ruling.
The ALJ closed the hearing without announcing an immediate decision; the ALJ told parties a written decision will issue within the time frame specified in the hearing procedure. Exhibit 1 (the petition packet for Lemus) was admitted into the record, and the board will consider the ALJ’s forthcoming recommendation when it is available.
