Michigan Raises Esthetics, Manicuring, and Instructor Education Hours

In early July, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Senate Bill No. 702, changing the state’s minimum hour requirement to receive an esthetics, manicurist, or instructor license.

The new education requirements apply only to individuals who began a program on or after July 1, 2024, and affect training programs as follows:

• Esthetics license: 750 hours of training (an increase from 400 hours)
   
• Manicurist license: 600 hours of training (an increase from 400 hours)
   
• Cosmetology instructor license: 600 hours of instructor training (an increase from 500 hours)

The increase in training hours is a result of changes that were issued last fall in the federal Gainful Employment rules. Aid-eligible schools would not have been able to offer esthetics, manicurist, or teacher training programs in excess of the 400- and 500-hour state requirements and maintain federal aid eligibility as of July 1, 2024. Federal funding requires schools to offer a minimum of 600 hours to maintain eligibility. The training-hour increase safeguards student access to aid.

Effective Date: Immediate