Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Nail spas, beauty salons, barbershops, massage parlor, as well as tattoo salons have seemingly become the ‘new’ industry in the territory, creating a need for the American Samoa Board of Cosmetology, which regulates salon licensing, operator certification, and sanitation standards in the industry to become a vital and active entity.

To wit, recently, the Governor of American Samoa, Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, made two key appointments to the American Samoa Board of Cosmetology that also has a new chairperson, Ms. Veronica Maumegi Annesley.

Samoa News understands the board is wrestling with the issue of business licenses that have been issued without the necessary trade references or licenses required by law. How to deal with such licenses — let them run until they expire or seek renewal, giving the operators time to organize their required paperwork, or shut them down immediately — is a real problem.

THE BOARD

The board was established under ASTCA Title 31.1502.1 to protect public health and safety and is responsible for regulating the practice of cosmetology, hairdressing, permanent cosmetics, barbering, and tattooing to ensure that residents are safeguarded from incompetent or fraudulent practices.

According to this title, no individual may operate as a cosmetologist (hairdresser or cosmetician) or maintain a beauty shop/ salon without a valid license issued by the Board. 

For individual operators, applicants must provide three references that demonstrate good moral character and must possess a valid license from a U.S. state or an equivalent country. Additionally, they must provide proof of practice for at least three of the last five years.

For beauty salons, spas, barbershops, tattoo shops, piercing shops, permanent cosmetics, and sanitation services, a prior written certification from the Director of Medical Services is required to confirm that the establishment meets Department of Health standards. Furthermore, staff must prove that a Board-approved, U.S.-licensed operator will be working full-time on-site.

Before a business license in the field of cosmetology can be approved by the Department of Commerce, the establishment must first receive approval from the Board of Cosmetology.

 All salon licenses expire annually on December 31st and must be renewed to avoid suspension of operations.

The public should be aware of the enforcement procedures conducted by the Board, which include routine inspections.

The Chief Sanitarian or designated agents will inspect every beauty shop at least once every six months.

Committees made up of at least two Board members may conduct site visits to any proposed or existing salon.

Enforcement efforts may also involve coordination with other relevant agencies, such as the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Health (DOH).

A copy of the latest inspection report must be displayed in a conspicuous location on the business premises for public viewing. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the refusal, revocation, or suspension of professional certificates under this title.