Under what condition is it considered gross malpractice or incompetency?

Providing services under the influence of drugs or alcohol qualifies as gross malpractice or incompetency because it directly compromises the safety and well-being of clients. When a barber is impaired, their ability to perform tasks is significantly hindered, leading to potential harm, poor service, or injury. The profession of barbering requires a high standard of care, and being under the influence violates ethical and legal standards, thus marking the behavior as grossly negligent or incompetent.

Practicing without a license is also a serious violation, but it may not directly indicate incompetency in the execution of barbering tasks; it primarily addresses legal compliance. Failing to meet client expectations, while potentially a shortcoming in service, does not rise to the level of malpractice unless it involves significant harm or a breach of standard practice. Similarly, using unapproved tools can indicate negligence but does not inherently demonstrate gross malpractice unless those tools lead to direct harm or injury to a client. Thus, providing services under the influence of drugs or alcohol stands out as a clear and critical violation of professional standards.