COSMETOLOGY COMPLIANCE S.B. 702 (S-1):
SUMMARY AS PASSED BY THE SENATE
Senate Bill 702 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Occupational Code to increase the number of hours of training required to receive an occupational license for cosmetology instructors, manicurists, and estheticians.
Currently, the Code requires the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to issue a license as a cosmetology instructor to an individual who meets all the following requirements:
-- Is of good moral character.
-- Has a high school diploma or its equivalent.
-- Is licensed as a cosmetologist under the Act.
-- Has at least three years of practical experience in natural hair cultivation, hair care services, skin care services, and manicuring services, at least one year of which must be in a cosmetology establishment.
-- Has passed an examination approved by LARA and the Board of Cosmetology.
-- Has completed at least 500 hours of instructor training.
The bill would require that an individual who began instructor training on or after July 1, 2024, complete at least 600 hours of instructor training. Additionally, the examination would have to be approved by LARA in consultation with the Board.
The Department is required to issue a license as a manicurist to an individual who fulfills all the following:
-- Is at least 17 years of age.
-- Is of good moral character.
-- Has had an education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade.
-- Has passed an examination prescribed by the board and LARA.
-- Has completed at least 400 hours of training, either in a licensed school of cosmetology or as an apprentice for at least six months in a licensed cosmetology establishment where manicuring is practiced; the training must include a minimum of practical applications as prescribed in the rules promulgated by LARA.
The bill would require that an individual who began training on or after July 1, 2024, complete at least 600 hours of training. Additionally, the examination would have to be approved by LARA in consultation with the Board.
The Department is required to issue a license as an esthetician to an individual who fulfills all the following:
-- Is at least 17 years of age.
-- Is of good moral character.
-- Has had an education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade.
-- Has passed an examination prescribed by the board and LARA.
-- Has completed at least 400 hours of training, either in a licensed school of cosmetology or as an apprentice for at least six months in a licensed cosmetology establishment where manicuring is practiced; the training must include a minimum of practical applications as prescribed in the rules promulgated by LARA.
The bill would require that an individual who began training on or after July 1, 2024, complete at least 750 hours of training. Additionally, the examination would have to be approved by LARA in consultation with the Board.
BRIEF RATIONALE
The U.S. Department of Education adopted rules that, beginning July 2024, will require that cosmetology students be eligible for Federal financial aid only up to and for the number of hours of training that the State requires for licensure. According to testimony, while statute currently requires only 400 hours of training for a manicurist to receive a license, some large educational institutions in the State require 600 hours of training to complete their programs. Under the new rules, students could not receive Federal financial aid for training after the first 400 hours required by statute. Some have argued that the State should increase the number of hours required for licensure to the number of hours required by some educational programs in the State to ensure that cosmetology students do not lose Federal financial aid.
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.