State Update – April 16

April 16, 2025

HEADLINES

• Nevada Hour Reduction Bill Fails to Meet Deadline
• Oklahoma Sunset Bill Continues to Advance
• Committee Advances Ambiguous Oregon Training Program Bill

THIS WEEK IN THE STATES

The current week finds 38 states actively meeting – including the following four legislatures that are scheduled to adjourn over the next two weeks: Arkansas (April 26), Arkansas (anticipated on April 16), Indiana (anticipated on April 24), and Washington (April 27). 

NEVADA HOUR REDUCTION BILL WILL NOT ADVANCE

AB 225 failed to meet a committee reporting deadline and pursuant to Joint Standing Rules is ineligible for further consideration this year. As introduced, the bill would reduce the course of instruction for barbering (from 1,500 to 1,000 hours), cosmetology (from 1,600 to 1,000 hours), hair design (from 1,000 to 600 hours), and expand apprenticeships. The measure would also deregulate blow-dry styling, hair braiding and shampoo technology. Additionally, it contains provisions allowing unlicensed individuals to cut hair under the immediate supervision of a barber, cosmetologist or hair designer if they disclose to the customer that they are not licensed.

The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee received letters of testimony in support of the bill from the Institute for Justice, the owner of franchise barbershops, and several other interested parties. Letters of testimony in opposition were submitted by AACS, multiple hair braiders and schools, the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, and National Association of Barber Boards of America (NABBA). 

Why this is important: Nevada’s legislature does not meet annually. Therefore, the earliest deregulation, hour reductions and apprenticeships can be revisited by the legislature is 2027.  

NORTH DAKOTA COSMETOLOGY MODERNIZATION BILL NEARS FINAL PASSAGE

The Senate Workforce Development Committee favorably reported HB 1126 with amendments. The modernization bill requested by the State Board of Cosmetology would: expand the Board from five to seven seats; establish a 1,100-hour advanced esthetics license; allow “any person authorized to do business” in the state to own a “salon establishment;” provide for inspections generated by a complaint; eliminate the high school graduation requirement for prospective cosmetology students; simplify and reduce training hours needed to obtain an instructor’s license and establish a required curriculum; authorize U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships for cosmetology, esthetics and manicuring, and; expand licensure reciprocity.



Advanced esthetics means the practice of advanced cosmetic preparations or procedures using the hands or a mechanical or electronic apparatus for esthetic purposes. “The term includes: (1) Advanced chemical peels; (2) Microneedling; (3) Nonablative procedures; and (4) Extractions using lancets.”

The Senate amendments add language stating “certain advanced esthetic services, as determined by rule adopted by the board, may be limited in scope or required to be performed under the supervision or direction” of a physician, physician assistant, or advance registered nurse who is sufficiently trained or certified in the procedure being supervised.

Under the bill, student instructors would need to complete 240-hours (with more than two years of professional experience) or 480-hours of training (with less than two years of professional experience). Under current law, instructors must receive at least 960-hours of training at a cosmetology school.

The bill is now eligible for consideration on the Senate floor. 

Why this is important: If enacted, North Dakota will join Washington, DC, and six states (MN, NV, OR, UT, VA, and WA) in offering an advanced or master license that permits the performance of services and procedures not included in the state’s basic esthetics license. Scope of practice limitations and medical supervision provisions have been increasingly debated by state policymakers as esthetic procedures involve lasers and other FDA-regulated devices.

Additionally, the authorization (or expansion) of registered apprenticeships for beauty-industry professions have generated considerable 2025 legislative activity – including Indiana and Montana which have respectively passed 2025 bills.  

COMMITTEE APPROVES AMBIGUOUS OREGON TRAIL PROGRAM BILL

The Senate Education Committee voted 4 to 1 last week to amend and favorably report SB 207. As currently drafted, the measure would establish an ambiguously defined “provisional certificate program” that would allow holders to perform cosmetology services under the supervision of a certified practitioner.

The Committee also requested that a subsequent referral to Ways and Means be rescinded to clear its way for consideration on the Senate floor. 

Why this is important: According to testimony submitted by the Aveda Institute Portland, the alternative training program bill “leaves too many critical questions unanswered and places the burden of implementation on the Board of Cosmetology without clear legislative guidance… There is no clarity on how students (certificate holders) would receive the comprehensive, state-approved curriculum that prepares them for success in their careers and on their written and practical exams — exams that are costly and require travel to Salem for each attempt.” Additionally, “the bill does not address who would cover the costs of instruction or whether salons would be required to pay students/apprentices, or vice versa. These are substantial gaps that could lead to inconsistencies in education and ultimately harm students more than help them.” 

HAIR BRAIDING DEREGULATION BILLS ON THE MOVE IN ILLINOIS & NEW MEXICO

In Illinois, both the House and Senate took recent action on hair braiding deregulation bills. The House voted unanimously last week to pass HB 3356. The Senate companion – SB 2348 – is currently on the Senate floor after being favorably reported from the Senate Licensed Activities Committee. 

A New Mexico hair braiding deregulation bill – HB 281 – was signed into law last week by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D). The Governor also signed a bill – SB 127 – exempting make-up artists and hairstylists who are employed in theatrical or cinematic productions from New Mexico licensure.

Why this is important: According to the Institute for Justice, 37 states completely exempt braiders from licensure.

OKLAHOMA SUNSET BILL CONTINUES TO ADVANCE

HB 1030, which extends the sunset for the state’s Board of Barbering and Cosmetology until July 1, 2028, is currently on the Senate floor after the Senate Administrative Rules Committee favorably reported the sunset extension bill earlier this month. A successful vote would clear the measure for enrollment and transmission to Governor Kevin Stitt (R).



Why this is important: Legislation must be enacted this year for the state’s Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to remain operational. The Board is currently operating under a one-year grace period after a 2024 sunset extension bill failed to receive a final House vote. 

MICHIGAN CONSIDERS OFFSITE SCHOOL FACILITIES

The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee recently reported two bipartisian bills of interest to the Committee of the Whole. SB 131 would allow licensed schools to operate an offsite “secondary school facility” to teach cosmetology in a classroom setting if specified requirements are met. A tie bared bill – SB 130 – would modify licensure fees.

Why this is important: According to testimony, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) issued licenses to cosmetology schools to operate secondary facilities in the past, but the practice ended when LARA deemed that it did not have the necessary statutory authority to provide these licenses. Similar House and Senate bills died last year after partisan and interchamber squabbles limited productivity during Michigan’s lame-duck session.

LICENSURE COMPACT BILL UPDATES

In Kansas, four compact bills – including the Cosmetology Licensure Compact – were combined in a Conference Committee report to HB 2069. The enacted legislation was signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly last week.

A Texas Cosmetology Licensure Compact bill – HB 705 – was unanimously reported from the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee without amendment(s) last week. The bill will soon be eligible for consideration on the House floor. 

Washington's Senate Labor and Commerce Committee recommended passage of the state’s Cosmetology Licensure Compact bill with an amendment that will make the Act effective June 1, 2028. According to testimony, “A longer implementation timeline will ensure Washington State has the opportunity to work through the cost considerations and address the policy implementation.” 

Why this is important: As previously reported, the Washington State Compact bill – HB 1023 – has a significant fiscal note with an estimated cost of $8.15 million over 10 years. It indicates that the additional fee to licensees “are projected to be greater than $500 but not exceed $1,000 for a multi-state license.” The longer timeline may allow state regulators to identify best practices to reduce implementation costs.

ON THE REGULATORY FRONT...

Texas’ Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) published proposed changes to 16 TAC, Chapter 83, Barbers and Cosmetologists in the March 28 issue of the Texas Register. As previously reported, the proposed rules will repeal multiple obsolete rules and promulgate new rules that: reorganize rule sections; clarify definitions and services regulated by the Department; update terminology and citations; clarify licensing provisions for establishments and schools; update school facility and signage requirements; and clarify curriculum requirements.

Due to an error, the public comments information for the rulemaking was published incorrectly. The information should have been published as follows:

Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted electronically on the Department’s website; by facsimile to (512) 475-3032; or by mail to Shamica Mason, Legal Assistant, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711. The Department will continue to accept comments on the proposed rule changes until May 5, 2025.

BILL TRACKING AND QUESTIONS

Please visit our newly enhanced 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.