Tennessee board approves three cosmetology school applications, with conditions

The Tennessee Cosmetology & Barber Examiners Board voted June 1 to approve three school applications — a change in location for Love Beauty School and BDNC Professional Services, and a new specialty natural hair school, Defining Textures Natural Hair Academy — while imposing documentation and labeling corrections before inspections or final licensing.

Executive Director Roxanna Gamusio told the board the applications included required materials: application, floor plan, enrollment agreement, catalog and contingency plan. Love Beauty School’s owner, identified in the meeting as Miss Lyles, described a remodeled site in Manchester and said barbering would be taught only at the new location. Becky Russell, chair of the board, pressed for clearer statements on graduation requirements and for anti‑discrimination language in the enrollment agreement; Lyles agreed to revise instructor listings and graduation wording.

“Students can attend nights or days; part‑time hours are tracked separately with time‑clock software,” Lyles said in presenting the application. After board discussion and a motion from Amy Tanksley seconded by Lane Petty, members approved the change by roll call.

Portia Bailey Brown, representing BDNC Professional Services, told the board her school operates small cohorts and relies on apprenticeship partnerships for practical hours. Board members accepted the school’s contingency plans in principle but asked that any teach‑out partners be identified in writing before final inspection.

For Defining Textures Natural Hair Academy, founder Maya Crawford and partner Leader Walker described a full‑time specialty program planned for Goodlettsville. Tamika Turner recused herself because she identified the applicant as a former student. The board approved the application with instructions to add a representative signature block to the enrollment agreement, define days and hours of operation, ensure record‑retention meets the seven‑year statutory requirement and clarify minimum instructor qualifications.

The approvals were conditional: staff will confirm revised paperwork and field inspectors will verify that floor plans include an enclosed classroom where required. Roxanna Gamusio said the board would note the changes in the inspection and follow up if revisions are incomplete.

The board’s actions allow the approved schools to proceed toward inspection and licensure once the noted edits are made and inspectors confirm compliance.