This week’s report features 2024 state bill enactments from Michigan through Washington State. Michigan SB 702 - Increases the number of hours required for licensure as a cosmetology instructor (from 500 to 600), manicurist (from 400 to 600), and esthetician (from 400 to 750).
Michigan HB 4647 – See above.
Minnesota SF 5289 – The omnibus Jobs, Economic Development, supplemental appropriations bill includes provisions requiring prospective cosmetologists, hair technicians, managers, and instructors to: (1) successfully complete training on the properties of the hair and all hair types and textures, including coil, curl, or wave patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair; and (2) have experience providing services to individuals with hair of all types and textures, including coil, curl, or wave patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair.
Mississippi HB 313 – The Act merges the state’s barbering and cosmetology boards, and establishes cosmetology, esthetician, and nail technology apprenticeships that are double the course of instruction at a school. These apprenticeships “shall be monitored or mentored” by an appropriately licensed instructor, and “only one (1) apprentice may be mentored by any person at the same time.” Other provisions of the Act amend Mississippi Code Ann. § 73-7-16 – Licensing of Schools to require school applicants to obtain a $50,000 surety bond and provide certain notifications in advance of a closure.
Mississippi HB 1795 – Provides a $1.45 million FY2025 appropriation to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
North Carolina SB 607 - the Act contains language to exempt persons expressly confined to the shampooing and blow drying of hair from barbering and cosmetology licensure. The multi-occupational licensure reform Act also increases the course of instruction for massage therapy from 500 to 650 hours.
Nebraska LB 16 – Provides for universal licensure recognition for applicants holding a similar credential for at least one year. It also allows judicially involved individuals to submit a “preliminary application” to determine licensure eligibility.
Nebraska LB 78 – Defines massage therapy as a health service.
New Jersey A4587 – Increases the hours required to obtain licensure as a teacher in cosmetology-hairstyling or as a massage and bodywork therapist. According to the measure’s official statement, “current regulation for cosmetology-hairstyling and current law for massage and bodywork therapy requires 500 hours. This bill increases each requirement to 600 hours. The increase allows individuals seeking the respective license to qualify for certain federal aid.”
New Jersey A2581 – Allows cosmetology and hairstyling courses with theory-related subject matter to be taught using distance learning technology.
New Jersey A1507 – Permits chair and booth rentals.
Oklahoma HB 2998 – Creates the Laser Hair Removal Act. The measure establishes regulations for laser hair removal, including physician oversight of facilities and the use of FDA-approved devices. The Act stipulates 40-hours of instruction for laser practitioners and physician involvement in complication management.
Oklahoma HB 2141 – The Act contains provisions to lower the course of instruction for barbering and cosmetology to 1,000 hours for nonchemical-use licensure or 1,250 hours of chemical-use. To this end, the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology has been tasked with adopting new curriculums on or before July 1, 2025.
The measure also establishes a 600-hour requirement for all instructor licenses, which is a 400-hour decrease for barbering and cosmetology instructors and a 300-hour increase for specialty instructors. Additional provisions:
- deregulate shampooing and hair braiding, and provide for a blow-drying styling certificate that could be obtained from the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology after receiving 12 hours of instruction in safety, sanitation, and the use of mechanical devices.
- establish a 120-hour eyelash extension specialist license and provide for eyelash extension instructors;
- eliminate the cosmetician license which includes hair arranging and the application of makeup;
- allow barbering and cosmetology apprentices to receive compensation;
- reduce barbering and cosmetology apprenticeship training hours from 3,000 to 2,250;
- double from one to two the number of apprentices allowed to receive training in a cosmetology or barbering establishment, and;
- revise licensure fees.
Oklahoma HB 3158 – Requires the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering to issue licenses to nonprofit schools within correctional facilities and mandates specific application procedures.
South Dakota HB 1233 – Amends apprenticeship training requirements to specify that a licensed instructor must supervise the apprentice, provides for part-time apprenticeships, and permits the transfer of hours “between an apprenticeship, program, or school if allowed by the institution.”
Tennessee SB 2732 – Enacts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact.
Tennessee HB 1859 – Prohibits a licensing authority from automatically barring an individual from licensure because of the individual's criminal record and requires the licensing authority to provide individualized consideration of the individual's criminal record and current circumstances before denying an application for a license.
Utah HB 365 – Allows telemedicine to be used for an initial consultation before the initiation of a cosmetic medical procedure. Utah licensed master estheticians are considered to be a part of “Delegation Group A,” along with physician assistants and registered nurses, for cosmetic medical procedures.
Utah SB 112 – Creates a 100-hour eyelash extension license; reduces the training and experience requirements for the instructor licenses; clarifies the definition of "direct supervision;” allows a licensed instructor to teach the instructor's scope of practice at any licensed school, and; adds dermaplaning to the practice of master esthetics. Under the measure, cosmetologist/barber instructors are required to have 1,600 hours of experience as a practitioner (3,000 hours were previously required) and 240-hours of on-the-job training (400 hours were previously required). Similar reductions apply to barber, electrologist, esthetician, hair designer, and nail technician instructors.
Utah HB 216 – Eliminates the “minimum time period” requirements for prospective barbers, estheticians, and massage therapists. Under prior law, prospective barbers had a period of not less than 25 weeks to complete 1,000 hours of instruction and prospective estheticians had a period of not less than 15 weeks to complete 600 hours of instruction.
Utah HB 58 – This non-occupational specific Act establishes a licensure by endorsement process and broadens the Division of Professional Licensing's discretion to accept substantially similar education or experience in satisfaction of standard licensing requirements.
Virginia HB 322 – Enacts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact.
Washington HB 1889 – Allows persons to receive professional licenses and certifications regardless of immigration or citizenship status. | 
