Bloodborne Pathogens Certification for Nail Salon and Cosmetology Professionals (2026 Update)

Nail salons, hair salons, barbershops, and cosmetology clinics are places of relaxation and self-care. But beneath the surface, these businesses involve regular exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), for example, from cut cuticles, nicked skin during shaving, accidental punctures, and shared tools. This makes bloodborne pathogens (BBP) certification an essential requirement for salon professionals.

While many people associate BBP training exclusively with healthcare, the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 applies to any workplace where employees have “reasonably anticipated exposure” to blood or OPIM – which includes the beauty industry.

Why Nail Salon and Cosmetology Professionals Need BBP Certification

Tool use

Every day, nail technicians, cosmetologists, barbers, and estheticians use tools that can break the skin: cuticle trimmers, nippers, razors, dermaplaning blades, lancets, and needles. When these tools come into contact with blood the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission is real.

Common exposure scenarios in salons and clinics:

• Nipping cuticles that bleed during a manicure or pedicure
• Accidental cuts from razors during shaving or hair removal
• Dermaplaning or microdermabrasion that breaks the skin
• Extractions during facials that draw blood
• Waxing that causes bleeding
• Needle sticks during microblading or PMU procedures (see our microblading BBP guide)
• Sharing or improper sterilization of reusable tools between clients

Bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV can be transmitted when contaminated blood enters the body through a cut, abrasion, or mucous membrane. Hepatitis B can survive on surfaces for up to 7 days, making proper sanitation and training critical.

Beauty industry risks

The beauty industry is linked to several health hazards:

• Bacterial infections include infections caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas.
• Delayed diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and other skin diseases because of failure to refer clients
• Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, chemical burns, eyelid dermatitis, hair and facial products such as hand eczema, nail fungus, and yeast; reactions to nail, and loss of hair or nails
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
• Toxicity from acrylic and lacquer fumes
• Using chemical peeling solutions incorrectly
• Warts

OSHA Requirements for Salons and Cosmetology Businesses

The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires that employers with at-risk employees:

1. Provide BBP Training

Training must be provided at no cost to employees, during working hours:

• Before initial assignment to duties with exposure risk
• Annually thereafter (within 12 months)
• Whenever new tasks or procedures affect exposure risk

2. Establish an Exposure Control Plan

A written plan that identifies:

• Job classifications with exposure risk
• Tasks and procedures that may cause exposure
• Steps being taken to reduce or eliminate exposure
• Procedures for handling exposure incidents

3. Provide PPE at No Cost

Gloves are the minimum requirement, but depending on the service, the following PPE may be needed:

• Disposable nitrile or latex gloves
• Face masks
• Eye protection (safety glasses or face shields)
• Disposable aprons or gowns

4. Offer Hepatitis B Vaccination

Employers must offer the Hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost to employees with occupational exposure, within 10 days of assignment.

5. Maintain Records

• Training records must be kept for 3 years
• Medical records (including exposure incidents) must be kept for duration of employment plus 30 years

Common Bloodborne Pathogens in Salon Environments

Hepatitis B (HBV)

HBV is highly infectious and can survive outside the body for up to 7 days. It is transmitted through blood and body fluids and can cause chronic liver disease. The Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective and should be offered to all at-risk salon employees.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

HCV is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. It can survive outside the body for up to 4 days. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. Many people with chronic HCV do not show symptoms for years, making prevention through proper training and precautions essential.

HIV

HIV can be transmitted through blood and certain body fluids. While the virus does not survive long outside the body, the risk of transmission in salon settings exists through contaminated sharps or open wounds. Universal precautions protect against HIV transmission.

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM)

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) was created by OSHA to guarantee that the hazards of all chemicals manufactured or imported are evaluated and details about their hazards are communicated to employers and employees. According to HCS, employers and employees have a right to be informed about the hazards and exposures of the chemicals to which they are subjected, as well as any protective measures they can take.

Chemical classification, labeling, and safety data sheet regulations were recently amended by OSHA to coincide with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. With this, According to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, product manufacturers must issue salon owners with a safety data sheet (SDS) for every product used in the salon that may consist of hazardous chemical substances at 1% or higher or, that could be released into the atmosphere above OSHA or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists’ limits. Chemicals with 0.1 percent or higher that may cause cancer should also be provided with SDS.

The SDS discusses the product’s health risks and provides safety guidelines for workers. In general, the SDS must include information on:

• When using the product, users are exposed to health and safety concerns.
• Ingredients in the product that has the possibility of being hazardous
• Exposure of users to the ingredients through various manners.
• Precautions for using and storing the product safely, as well as what to do in an emergency

Preventing Nail Salon Worker Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

There are several options for preventing employees from inhaling these hazardous substances.

Numerous salons are upgrading to vented workstations, which prevent dust and pollutants out of the eyes of technicians and clients. There are additional rules in place to ensure that salons have various air entry and exit points, and a ventilation system is required in some regions to help with this process.

Furthermore, these health risks have been recognized by national organizations and government agencies and have been urging salons for enhancement. Among the groups working to educate nail technicians and salon owners about the concerns is the California Health Nail Salon Collaborative, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The steps to avoid exposure and preserve worker health, according to OSHA, are as follows:

• After using disposable gloves, immediately throw them at the proper disposal.
• Request that the person uses a cotton ball or tissue to stop the bleeding, and then dispose of the spent material in the right receptacle after the bleeding has stopped.
• Contact with blood or bodily fluids must be avoided as much as possible.
• Clients with cuts, open wounds or sores, blisters, or infected skin on their hands, feet, or nails should be discouraged.

Many institutions, notably the Boston Public Health Commission and the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, restrict working on customers with serious health difficulties.

• Consider being vaccinated against hepatitis B. Employees who will be exposed to blood or other infectious materials at work are eligible for a free hepatitis B immunization.
• Do not touch the blood if the customer is bleeding.
• To avoid spreading germs, wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Wash your hands before and after working with clients.
• Immunization policies differ by state, therefore check with your local or state health authority for the most up-to-date information on hepatitis B vaccination policies in your area.
• Open cuts or broken skin should be bandaged to avoid contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials from a customer or employee.
• Wear gloves.
• Follow your state’s cosmetology board’s standards;
• Clean and disinfect instruments after each client. Instruments can be cleaned and disinfected in a variety of methods.
• Disinfect foot basins and spas after each client and at the end of the day to avoid exposing employees and other clients. Follow the guidelines set forth by your state’s cosmetology board for cleaning and disinfecting foot basins and spas.
• Offer your employees bloodborne pathogen certification in line with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

Which BBP Course Do Salon Professionals Need?

Most nail salon and cosmetology professionals will need the Bloodborne Pathogens: Body Art Professional course if they perform services that break the skin (dermaplaning, microblading, PMU, waxing that may cause bleeding).

For those providing strictly surface-level services (hair styling, basic manicures without cuticle work, makeup application), the General Workplace course may be appropriate.

If you are unsure, check with your state cosmetology board for their specific requirements.

Conclusion

• Nail salon and cosmetology workers have occupational exposure risk and need BBP certification
• OSHA requires initial training, annual refreshers, and a written Exposure Control Plan
• Hepatitis B vaccination should be offered at no cost to at-risk employees
• Proper glove use, tool disinfection, and Universal Precautions prevent transmission
• State cosmetology boards may have additional requirements — check your state
• BBP certification is available online and takes approximately one hour to complete