Delaware Code
Subchapter I. Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
§ 5103. License requirement; applicability of chapter; exemptions.

(a) No person shall engage in the practice of cosmetology, barbering, electrology, or nail technology, or act as an instructor in said professions, or hold himself or herself out to the public as being qualified to practice the same; or use in connection with that person's name, or otherwise assume or use, any title or description conveying or tending to convey the impression that the person is qualified to practice cosmetology, barbering, electrology, or nail technology, or act as an instructor in said professions, unless such person has been duly licensed under this chapter.
(b) Whenever a license to practice as a cosmetologist, barber, electrologist, or nail technician, or act as an instructor in said professions, has expired or been suspended or revoked, it shall be unlawful for the person to practice cosmetology, barbering, electrology, nail technology, or act as an instructor in said professions.
(c) This chapter shall not be construed to prohibit practice by:

(1) Persons who are licensed to practice cosmetology, barbering, electrology or nail technology in any other state, district or foreign country who, as practicing cosmetologists, barbers, electrologists or nail technicians enter this State to consult with a cosmetologist, barber, electrologist or nail technician of this State. Such consultation shall be limited to less than 30 days in any calendar year.
(2) Any student of an accredited school of cosmetology, barbering, electrology or nail technology who is receiving practical training under the personal supervision of a licensed instructor in cosmetology, barbering, electrology or nail technology.
(3) Any student who is enrolled in a work-study, student-learner, apprenticeship or similar program where the employment is an integral part of the course of study, and the employment is procured and supervised by the Delaware public school system.
(4) Any cosmetologist, barber, electrologist or nail technician, commissioned by any of the armed forces of the United States, or by the United States Public Health Service.
(5) Persons employed to demonstrate, recommend or administer cosmetic preparations, lotions, creams, makeup, perfume or hair appliances or tools intended for home use, for the purposes of effecting retail sales, if those persons neither accept payment from the consumer for that demonstration nor make the demonstration contingent upon the purchase of any product or service.
(6) Persons employed to render cosmetology or hairstyling services in the course of, and incidental to, the business or employers engaged in the theatrical, radio, television or motion picture production industries, modeling or photography.
(7) Persons authorized by the laws of this State to practice medicine and surgery, dentistry, chiropractic and similar occupations, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurses' aides, physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, when acting within the scope of their profession or occupation.
(8) Persons engaged in the practice of hair braiding. Hair braiding does not include hair cutting, application of dyes, reactive chemicals or other preparations to alter the color of the hair or to straighten, curl, or alter the structure of the hair. Hair braiding may involve the use of hair extensions when the extensions are attached only by natural means.
(d) Shop license; necessity. — No person, firm, corporation, partnership or other legal entity shall operate, maintain or use premises for the offering of or rendering of any 1 or more of the services encompassed in the definition of cosmetology without first having secured a shop license from the Board.
(e) Services rendered in unlicensed shop or school; prohibition; exceptions. — No person shall offer or render any of the services encompassed within the definition of cosmetology in a place which is not licensed as a shop or school, except that a practicing licensee, duly licensed pursuant to this chapter, may render the services which that practicing licensee is licensed to offer, as long as the practicing licensee is sponsored by a licensed shop and a record of those services is maintained by that shop, on the following individuals:

(1) Patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other licensed health care facilities;
(2) A decedent in a funeral home;
(3) An invalid or handicapped person in the person's place of residence;
(4) Inmates or residents of institutions of the Department of Correction or the Department of Human Services;
(5) Performers or models, prior to, in anticipation of, or during a performance; or
(6) Potential consumers of cosmetic preparations, lotions, creams, makeup or perfume which are intended for home use if the application of the product is made for the purposes of effecting a retail sale and the person neither accepts payment from the consumer for the service, nor makes the provision of the service contingent upon the purchase of any product or service.