RE: Increasing online course instruction for cosmetology, barber, manicurist, and esthetician programs, and reopening cosmetology testing centers.
Proposed Cosmetology Rule
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) is proposing a permanent rule amendment (file:///C:/Users/ehaden/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/QM2YX4W9/OTS-2330.1.pdf) that would allow cosmetology schools to offer 50% of their course study online, an increase from the currently permitted 25% of theory online. This rule change is in response to the novel coronavirus. During Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation, in which emergency rules allowed schools to offer 100% of theoretical instruction online, the DOL saw value in additional online instruction, including the potential to decrease costs for students and schools.
Under the current definition of “online training,” theoretical instruction is not to exceed 25% of course study. The DOL is therefore proposing to amend WAC 308-20-010 definitions to:
“Online training: means an approved electronic learning environment through a
licensed school in which a student is enrolled. Online training may be used for
up to fifty percent of the approved course of study.”
The current definition states “this training is limited to theory only.” The proposed rule allows for “approved online training.” Removing the theory-only limitation would give schools greater flexibility in deciding which courses to offer online. You can submit comments regarding the proposed change until July 27, 2020, by one of the following methods:
Email: csap@dol.wa.gov
Phone: 360-664-6651
Mail: Cosmetology Schools and Apprentice Shop Program
ATTN: Department of Licensing
PO Box 9026
Olympia, WA 98507
Cosmetology Testing Centers Reopened
Also in response to COVID-19, all cosmetology, hair design, barber, manicurist, esthetician, master esthetician, and instructor testing centers were closed. Upon careful consideration with an emphasis on safety, testing centers have reopened. The Washington State Department of Licensing issued the following important information you should know:
- “Registration for candidates who have already paid and were previously scheduled to take their exams are now open. DL Roope/ISO Quality Testing (our 3rd party testing vendor) will be reaching out via email or phone to all of the previously registered candidates to offer them priority to the available exam dates/times.
- Once all of the previously registered candidates have been contacted, DL Roope/ISO Quality Testing will be opening registration to all other candidates. Registration will take place as it has in the past through DL Roope/ISO Quality Testing’s website: http://www.dlroope.com/washington_exam_information.cfm?state=9
- On-site testing will resume at all testing centers on Monday, July 27.”
Testing centers will reopen with limited capacity and additional safety measures to comply with the governor’s Safe Start plan. Masks are required at the testing center. Admission letters from DL Roope/ISO Quality Testing will detail further safety guidelines and instructions. For any questions regarding exam registration or testing center procedures, call 866-773-1114.