Cosmetology Practice Test – Pass the Massachusetts State Board Exam (2026 Guide)

The practice of performing hair services for compensation is illegal for unlicensed individuals in Massachusetts. To conduct hair services, individuals must have the appropriate licensure, which ensures they have undergone the necessary training and education to provide safe and effective services to clients. Licensing standards are in place to protect the public by ensuring that cosmetologists are knowledgeable about important health and safety practices, as well as the techniques involved in their craft.

In contrast, providing skin care treatments is also regulated, but certain limited services may be performed by unlicensed individuals under specific conditions. Working as an assistant may sometimes allow individuals to perform non-licensed tasks under the supervision of a licensed professional. Offering beauty advice generally falls outside the scope of licensed practices, allowing individuals to provide guidance without needing a license. Thus, the act of performing hair services for compensation stands out as a specific violation of Massachusetts law for unlicensed practitioners.