1. As used in the Barbers and Cosmetologists Act:
2. A. "barber" means a person, other than a student, who for compensation engages in barbering;
3. B. "board" means the board of barbers and cosmetologists;
4. C. "cosmetologist" means a person, other than a student, who for compensation engages in cosmetology;
5. D. "department" means the regulation and licensing department;
6. E. "electrologist" means a person, other than a student, who for compensation removes hair from or destroys hair on the human body through the use of an electric current applied to the body with a needle-shaped electrode or probe;
7. F. "enterprise" means a business venture, firm or organization;
8. G. "establishment" means an immobile beauty shop, barber shop, electrology clinic, salon or similar place of business in which cosmetology, barbering, eyebrow threading, hairstyling or electrolysis is performed;

9. H. "esthetician" means a person, other than a student, who for compensation:

   1. (1) uses cosmetic preparations, including makeup applications, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays or creams, for the purpose of preserving the health and beauty of the skin and body;
   2. (2) massages, cleans, stimulates or manipulates the skin for the purpose of preserving the health and beauty of the skin and body; or
   3. (3) performs activities similar to the activities described in Paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection on any part of the body of a person;
10. I. "eyebrow threading" means a method of hair removal in which a thin thread is doubled, twisted and then rolled over areas of unwanted hair, plucking the hair at the follicle level;
11. J. "hair braiding" means twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding hair and incidental use of topical agents and mechanical devices and includes use of hair extensions, hair fibers, decorative beads and other accessories incidental to hair braiding;
12. K. "hairstylist" means a person, other than a student, who for compensation engages in hairstyling;
13. L. "manicurist-pedicurist" means a person, other than a student, who for compensation performs work on the nails of a person and applies nail extensions or products to the nails for the purpose of strengthening or preserving the health and beauty of the hands or feet;
14. M. "sanitation" means the maintenance of sanitary conditions to promote hygiene and the prevention of disease through the use of chemical agents or products;
15. N. "school" means a public or private instructional facility approved by the board that teaches cosmetology, barbering or hairstyling; and
16. O. "student" means a person enrolled in a school to learn or be trained in cosmetology, barbering, hairstyling or electrolysis.

History: Laws 1993, ch. 171, § 2; 1997, ch. 218, § 1; 2017, ch. 108, § 1; 2017, ch. 112, § 3; 2022, ch. 39, § 69; 2025, ch. 39, § 1.

ANNOTATIONS

Delayed repeals. — For delayed repeal, see 61-17A-25 NMSA 1978.

The 2025 amendment, effective July 1, 2025, defined "hair braiding" as used in the Barbers and Cosmetologists Act; added a new Subsection J and redesignated the succeeding subsections accordingly.

The 2022 amendment, effective May 18, 2022, provided that "department" means the regulation and licensing department, as used in the Barbers and Cosmetologists Act; and added a new Subsection D and redesignated former Subsections D through M as Subsections E through N, respectively.

2017 Amendments. — Laws 2017, ch. 112, § 3, effective June 16, 2017, defined "hairstylist" and revised the definitions of certain terms as used in the Barbers and Cosmetologists Act; in Subsection F, after "barbering", added "hairstyling"; added new Subsection H and redesignated the succeeding subsections accordingly; in Subsection K, after "cosmetology", deleted "or", and after "barbering", added "or hairstyling"; and in Subsection L, after "barbering", added "hairstyling".

Laws 2017, ch. 108, § 1, effective June 16, 2017, defined "eyebrow threading" and revised the definition of "establishment" to include "eyebrow threading" as used in the Barbers and Cosmetologists Act; in Subsection F, after "barbering", added ", eyebrow threading"; and added new Subsection H and redesignated the succeeding subsections according.

The 1997 amendment added Subsections E, I and K and redesignated former Subsections E to H accordingly, inserted "other than a student" near the beginning of Subsections D and H, rewrote Subsection G, and made minor stylistic changes throughout the section. Laws 1997, ch. 218 contains no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, is effective June 20, 1997, 90 days after adjournment of the legislature. See Volume 14 NMSA 1978 for "Adjournment Dates of Sessions of Legislature" table.