Ok, so I need a qualified option on this. I suppose I could just call the state inspector, but I don't want to unnecessarily raise any red flags.

To preface, I'm currently enrolled in barber school with about 2-3 months left, and in Indiana.

My situation is that a great spot for a shop is available, but I won't be able to offer services until after graduation and licensure. So, for 2-3 months at minimum I'd be laying out rent and expenses on a shop space, tuition, and general living expenses with whatever I have in my savings and basically no income.

My question is, were I to go ahead and lease this space, would it be a violation of any state rule/law to simply offer free haircuts in my free time, and accepting tips? Or not accepting tips, if that'd matter?

I'm not even so concerned with the monetary aspect as just getting the fact a shop is coming out around town, and gain experience I can't in school (where we're lucky to get 2-3 customers a week). But, being a small town I don't want another shopowner to report me and lose my license before I even get it, and waste the time money and energy spent going to school.

I've reviewed all the regulations I can find and I can't find anything that'd prohibit this, but I'm sure someone out there is more versed than I am.