State Update - October 1

October 1, 2025

HEADLINES

• Barbering Hour Reduction Proposed in Michigan
• Review of 2025 Apprenticeship Bills

THIS WEEK IN THE STATES

The current week finds nine state legislatures actively meeting – including New Mexico and Oregon meeting in special session. While Oregon is continuing a multi-week special session focused on transportation funding, New Mexico opens a special session on Wednesday to preemptively increase funding for food assistance and rural health care. According to Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, the special session is need “to protect essential services and minimize the damage from President Trump’s disastrous bill.”

BARBERING HOUR REDUCTION BILL INTRODUCED IN MICHIGAN

Republican House members introduced several bills of interest last month.

HB 4908 would allow cosmetology apprentices to perform shampoo services without a license if he/she has completed at least 350 hours “of instruction in the general cosmetology curriculum.” A similar provision for cosmetology school students is already in state law. 

HB 4909 changes the requirement that schools and apprenticeship programs submit reports to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs from monthly to “on request.” The bill also clarifies that students and apprentices complete “not less than 350 hours in the general cosmetology curriculum” before practicing on the public, while students in specialized areas like natural hair cultivation, manicuring, skin care, or electrology can practice after completing one-quarter of their required curriculum hours. 

HB 4911 provides for mobile barbershops.

HB 4927 would reduce the course of instruction for barbering at a schools or apprenticeship program from not less than 1,800 hours to not less than 1,500 hours.

House Bills 4908, 4909 and 4911 have been referred to the House Regulatory Reform Committee. HB 4927 has been referred to the House Economic Competitiveness Committee.  

Why this is important: Michigan has full-time state legislature with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans controlling the House. All four bills listed above have at least five Republican sponsors/co-sponsors.

HB 4927 would harmonize barbering and cosmetology training at a school at “not less than 1,500 hours.” Michigan cosmetology apprenticeships however require “not less than 2 years in a licensed cosmetology establishment in which hair care services, skin care services, and manicuring services are offered.”  

WEST VIRGINIA

Modifications to proposed barbering apprenticeship rules were filed last week following review and comment by the Legislative Rule Making Review Committee. Most of the revisions are technical in nature. The underlying rulemaking was initiated to harmonize regulations with West Virginia Code and to remove requirements which the Board considered to be unnecessary.

Additionally, chemical texture services and hair coloring were added to the curriculum as an optional service that may be taught to the apprentice.

Why this is important: West Virginia’s rulemaking process is multi-step and requires approval by the Legislative Rule Making Review Committee and passage of a bill during the 2026 legislative session.  

REVIEW OF 2025 APPRENTICESHIP BILLS

The following is a review of 2025 bills focused on apprenticeships and “establishment training programs” or “provisional certificates” which may or may not be the same as an apprenticeship. Bills listed in red are dead and bills listed in green have been enacted into law.

Indiana HB 1320 expands U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships to barbering and manicuring.

A multi-occupation Montana apprenticeship bill – HB 336 – authorizes apprenticeship licensure for (i) barbering; (ii) barbering nonchemical; (iii) cosmetology; (iv) electrology; (v) esthetics; and (vi) manicuring.

Iowa SF 711 provides for a 2,000-hour establishment training program. The state also has U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships.

North Dakota HB 1126 contains provisions that authorize U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships for cosmetology, esthetics and manicuring.  

Oregon enacted a bill similar to Iowa SF 711 except they used the term “provisional certificates.” HB 2380 also limits the seemingly ambiguous “provisional certificates” to less populated areas of the state.

Utah SB 330 contains language stipulating that apprentices would be required to complete the same number of hours as the course of instruction as a school for each respective license or permit.

Michigan HB 4927 would reduce the course of instruction for barbering at a schools or apprenticeship program from not less than 1,800 hours to not less than 1,500 hours.

Pennsylvania HB 87 would expand the types of individuals qualified to instruct an apprentice in a cosmetology salon. According to the sponsor’s memo, “in order for an individual to obtain their cosmetology training within a licensed cosmetology salon as they work to fulfill licensure requirements, they must do so under the direction and supervision of a licensed cosmetology teacher.” To this end, HB 87 would allow cosmetologists with at least 10 years of experience to train an apprentice. Additionally, it adds language requiring licensed teachers supervising apprentices to have at least five years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist.

Nevada AB 225 would have permitted federally registered apprenticeship programs in barbering, cosmetology, hair design, esthetics (both basic and advanced), nail technology, and electrology.

Wyoming HB0257 would have established 1,600 hour barbering apprenticeships.  

BILL TRACKING AND QUESTIONS

Please visit our 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.