State Update - May 27

May 27, 2026

HEADLINES

• Hour Reeducations Finalized in Washington, DC
• Oklahoma and Louisiana Governors Sign Sunset Extension Bills
• Legislative Updates from California, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, New York and North Carolina

THIS WEEK IN THE STATES

The current week finds 20 state legislatures actively meeting – including Alaska meeting in special session to debate tax breaks and alternative tax strategies for the $40+ billion Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (AKLNG) megaproject designed to transport natural gas from Alaska's North Slope for local use and global export.



The following four states are scheduled to adjourn their respective 2026 state legislative sessions this or next week: Illinois (May 31), Louisiana (June 1), New York (June 4), and Vermont (May 29).

HOUR REEDUCATIONS FINALIZED IN DC

District of Columbia regulations to reduce the course of instruction for cosmetology and barbering from 1,500 hour to 1,250 hours became final on May 22, 2026.  

The regulations also amend the requirements for obtaining an instructor’s license from the previous 1,000 training hours by creating two pathways for licensure. “Those that are currently licensed will be able to obtain an instructor’s license upon providing the Board documentation establishing their qualifications, including proof of having worked in the field for at least two (2) years and professional references. Recent graduates will be able to obtain an instructor’s license upon the completion of five hundred (500) training hours. For both pathways, applicants will be required to pass an examination.”

Additionally, the new rules eliminate the salon manager’s license; establish wax technician and a full wax and nails technician licenses, and; amend the braider license by renaming it “natural hairstylist and braider.” This revised license requires 200 hours – an increase of 100 hours – to encompass additional techniques and hair-health lessons.

Why this is important: The last four jurisdictions to reduce the course of instruction for cosmetology – the District of Columbia (1,250), New Hampshire (1,200), Oklahoma (1,250), and Utah (1,250) – have reduced to 1,200 or 1,250 hours.

OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR SIGNS COSMETOLOGY SUNSET EXTENSION BILL

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) signed a Board of Cosmetology and Barbering sunset extension bill – HB 3000 – into law. As previously reported, the measure extends Board’s sunset from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2031, and modifies the membership of the Board by requiring each of the 11 members to meet certain professional and geographic criteria. It also requires all licenses issued under the Board’s authority to be issued by Service Oklahoma – the state agency that issues driver’s licenses.

Why this is important: The enactment of HB 3000 ends over a year of uncertainty for the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering in the Sooner State.

Last May, Governor Stitt vetoed a “clean” sunset extension bill. In his 2025 veto message, the Governor stated the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering should be restructured or consolidated under a more appropriate umbrella.

The legislature, however, lacked the time to address the Governor’s concerns leading to beauty industry licensees protesting at the State Capitol to override the veto. Accordingly, the legislature and Governor Stitt agreed to extend the Board’s sunset one year to provide time for the necessary overhaul.

To this end, Senate amendments to SB 3000 helped address Governor Stitt’s previously enumerated concerns with the Board. They retain the Cosmetology and Barbering Board as a regulatory and enforcement entity but make Service Oklahoma the “customer service” entity for beauty industry professionals seeking to obtain or renew a license.

SUNSET BILL UPDATES FROM CALIFORNIA AND LOUISIANA

A California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology sunset extension bill was unanimously passed by the Senate late week. In addition to extending the Board’s sunset date until January 1, 2031, the measure would require apprentices to be “employed by the owner of a licensed establishment.” SB 1363 has been transmitted to the Assembly and is awaiting assignment to a standing committee.  

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a sunset extension bill for the State Board of Cosmetology, and 16 other Boards and Commissions, earlier this month. HB 338 establishes July 1, 2033, as the Board’s new termination date.

Why this is important: A state’s failure to pass a sunset extension bill could lead to deregulation and other unintended consequences. AACS closely monitors their progression to make sure harmful amendments are not added to these “must pass” bills. 

ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Delaware’s Cosmetology Compact bill received final legislative approval with a unanimous House vote last week. Once signed into law by Governor Matt Meyer (D), Delaware will become the 12th state to enact the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. Click here for a map of Compact states. 

Illinois HB 3460 received final legislative passage last week with a 55 to 2 Senate vote. If signed by Governor JB Pritzker (D), the bill would make professions regulated by the state’s Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act apprenticeable at double the course of instruction at a school and require apprentices to be compensated at least minimum wage.

Louisiana SB 54 received final legislative passage last week with unanimous House vote to amend and pass the bill. The Senate subsequently voted unanimously to concur in the House amendment. As currently drafted, SB 54 would permit estheticians to engage in blow drying hair services if they are performed in combination with other esthetics services permitted by law. The adopted House amendment removes a requirement for cosmetologists seeking to become a “registered teacher of cosmetology” to have 12 months of work experience before starting the 500-hour teacher training course.

After nearly a year of dormancy, New York A1916 was favorably reported from the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and is now in the Assembly Rules Committee, which will decide if the measure providing for licensure of laser hair removal technicians is calendared for an Assembly floor vote. Training requirements for laser hair removal technicians would be established by rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee.

North Carolina SB 808, which contains provision to reduce the course of instruction for cosmetology from 1,500 to 1,200 hours and establish a 900-hour hair design license, has been re-referred House Regulatory Reform Committee. A coalition of schools is being established to aggressively oppose the bill. Please contact StateGR@myaacs.org if you wish to connect with the organizing entity.

BILL TRACKING & QUESTIONS

Please visit the AACS State Legislative Tracking page to access bill text and to see what may be pending in your state(s). Please note that this resource contains bills not listed in this report that may be of interest or concern to your school or business.

Please contact StateGR@myaacs.org with comments or questions.