A Program Evaluation and Financial Compliance Audit of the State Board of Barber Examiners

#378Report ToThe Mississippi LegislatureA Program Evaluation and Financial Compliance Auditof the State Board of Barber ExaminersJuly 14, 1998State law provides the Board of Barber Examiners with authority to regulate thestate’s barbering profession. Because the board has not adequately regulated theprofession, it cannot ensure the public that barbers have demonstrated the requiredknowledge and skills or that barbers consistently adhere to sanitary standards.In the area of examination and licensure, the board does not consistently verifythe completeness and accuracy of educational and training information submitted bylicensure applicants. The board’s testing process for barbers and barber instructors isnot valid and reliable because it does not fully comply with recognized testing standardsfor professional regulatory boards. With regard to inspections and investigations, theboard cannot ensure that its inspections are conducted on a regular basis and in auniform manner because the board has not established formal policies and proceduresfor such inspections. Also, the board violates state law by its failure to adopt rules andregulations for the recording, investigating, and resolution of complaints against barberlicensees.The board has not adequately accounted for its funds because it has not collectedor made timely deposits of license fees in a manner consistent with state law and hasnot followed all state regulations and accepted business ...