Hair Designer in Washington – New Bill
I’m not sure you if you have heard, but there is a House Bill that will be introducing a new license to the Cosmetology Mix. It’s called the Hair Design Bill, aka HB 1063. We’ve been tracking it where it introduces some different concepts, one of which is to introduce a new license that would allow an individual to do hair cutting, styling, color and chemical services, with the exception of the skin and nails.
Currently Washington State has a two licenses when it comes to hair; a barbering license that allows an individual to cut and style (e.g. no color or chemical services) or a cosmetology license that cut, style, chemical services, plus natural nails and some aspect of skin care. I’m simplifying the definition, but that’s the spirit of the licenses. This bill would take skin and nails out of the mix, and would reduce this new license to 1400 hours.
New licenses in Washington:
Cosmetology – 1600 Hours
Hair Design – 1400 hours (proposed)
Barbering – 1000 hours
Master Esthetics – 1200 hours
Esthetics – 750 hours
Manicuring – 600 hours
Instructor Training – 500 hours
When talking to the salons and spas, they are a little mixed on this license. Some salons support it; they share that a number of their stylist don’t do manicures or skin care. Some are a bit concerned; they expressed that although their stylist don’t do many manicures or facials, they do wax as a convenient up service, and am concerned that this won’t allow their stylist the flexibility to add on these additional services.
The intent of most laws are good, but it does make things a little more complicated. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you support, not support or am indifferent?
