New Delaware Apprenticeship Rules Enable Multiple Pathways to Work

Building new industry-specific skills through hands-on experience with the opportunity to earn and learn alongside seasoned practitioners with a professional license in view . . . OK, apprenticeship does paint itself a nice picture! In fact, apprenticeship is a leading theme in the legislative world lately, and Delaware was fast on the uptake. In June, the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (Board) released final rules that establish standards and requirements for esthetics, cosmetology, barbering, nail technology, and electrology apprenticeships.

Below, we break down Delaware’s new rules and discuss apprenticeship applications, teachers, hours, curricula, and supplies. You’ll learn apprentice and teacher qualifications, and may find inspiration to become one, too.

Apprenticeship Applications
On an apprenticeship application, the applicant must identify:

• The apprentice teacher
• The apprentice teacher’s qualifications
• The shop where the apprenticeship will take place

If the apprentice changes teachers or locations, the apprentice must submit a new application to the Board within 30 days of the change. If the apprentice does not submit a new application within 30 days, hours acquired after a change will not count toward examination and licensure.

Apprenticeship Teacher
An apprentice teacher is a licensee who is responsible for instructing an individual, who is applying for licensure by apprenticeship, the required curriculum in their respective field of practice. The apprentice teacher must meet the following requirements:

• An apprentice teacher must be an active, licensed practitioner in good standing with at least three years of work experience in the profession the apprentice is studying.
  • However, a nail technician and an esthetician applicant may apprentice with a cosmetologist
  • Similarly, a barber applicant may apprentice with a cosmetologist if the cosmetologist has completed a minimum of 35 hours of shaving instruction
• An apprentice teacher can supervise and train no more than three apprentices.
• An apprentice teacher may not be the employee of the apprentice.
• An apprentice teacher must comply with the Board’s laws and rules—failure to comply with the Board’s laws and rules may subject the apprentice teacher to discipline.

Apprenticeship Hours
Apprenticeship hours can only be acquired after an apprentice license has been issued. An apprenticeship can only be completed in a licensed shop—a mobile shop does not suffice.

The apprentice teacher and apprentice are responsible for keeping an accurate record of the apprentice’s clock hours. Daily worksheets documenting clock hours must be maintained on Board-approved forms. Every three months, the apprentice must give the Board written documentation, signed by the apprentice teacher, the number of clock hours obtained to date.

An apprentice cannot work on a client until the apprentice has gained adequate skills and knowledge to perform the service. The apprentice teacher is responsible for all services performed by an apprentice and must receive a written statement from clients that states they acknowledge the work is being performed by an apprentice; the apprentice teacher must sign every statement.

If an apprentice chooses to end their apprenticeship, the apprentice teacher must notify the Board within 30 days. The apprentice teacher must submit the apprentice’s license and a notarized, signed transcript of the total hours accumulated by the apprentice to the Board and provide the apprentice with a copy of their transcript. Apprentice records must be kept within the shop for five years.

In the event an apprentice cosmetologist or barber wants to transfer apprenticeship hours to a school or program to finish their cosmetology or barbering education, they can transfer up to 1,800 apprentice hours. The transfer ratio is two apprentice hours to one transfer hour, allowing an apprentice to transfer to an educational program totaling 1,500 hours. A minimum of 600 hours of coursework must be completed at a school. The Board must provide documentation of the apprentice hours to the school before the transfer. Accepting or denying apprenticeship hours is the school’s or program’s discretion.

Cosmetology Apprenticeship Supplies
A cosmetology apprentice teacher is required to ensure that each apprentice has the basic supplies listed below. If the supplies are provided by the apprentice teacher, the teacher cannot charge the apprentice more than fair market value for the supplies.

• Alcohol to clean implements and an appropriate disinfection container
• Closed container to store disinfected implements
• Closed container to store soiled implements
• Closed container to store soiled or disposable towels/linens
• Closed container/cabinet for clean towels/linens
• Mannequin
• Basic combs, brushes, and clips
• Scissors/shears and thinning shears
• Razor with a guard and disposable blades
• Disposable neck strips and protective capes
• Disposable or reusable gloves
• Perm rods and end papers
• Rollers
• Marcel curling iron and flat iron
• Blow dryer
• Consumable supplies for hair services, such as hair shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, etc.
• Manicuring kit
• Current standard textbook and workbook

Barbering Apprenticeship Supplies
A barbering apprentice teacher is required to ensure that each apprentice has the basic supplies listed below. If the supplies are provided by the apprentice teacher, the teacher cannot charge the apprentice more than fair market value for the supplies.

• Mannequin and bearded mannequin
• Brushes
• Shears and thinning shears
• Straight razor with changeable blades
• Mug and shaving brush—with nylon bristles that can be disinfected—and shaving cream
• Clippers, guards, and trimmers
• Dusting brush with nylon bristles that can be disinfected
• Neck strips and shampoo cape
• Hair cloth and clips
• Blow dryer and styling brush
• Tweezers
• Appropriate disinfection container
• Ten towels
• Closed container for soiled or disposable towels/linens
• Closed container/cabinet for clean towels/linens
• Alcohol to clean implements
• Standard current textbook and workbook
• A copy of the laws and rules of the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

Esthetics Apprenticeship Curriculum
An esthetics apprentice teacher is responsible for ensuring their apprentice completes the following 1,200-hour curriculum:

• Sanitation and hygiene: 50 theory hours and 175 practical hours
• Professional practices: Six (6) theory hours and 14 practical hours
• Health and sciences: 130 theory hours
• Consultation and recordkeeping: 20 theory hours and 60 practical hours
• Machines, apparatus, and safety: 10 theory hours and 80 practical hours
• Skin care procedures: 44 theory hours and 441 practical hours
• Makeup: 20 theory hours and 100 practical hours
• State laws, job search, and business skills: 50 theory hours

Esthetics Apprenticeship Supplies
An esthetics apprentice teacher is required to ensure that each apprentice has the basic supplies listed below. If the supplies are provided by the apprentice teacher, the teacher cannot charge the apprentice more than fair market value for the supplies.

• One facial table for every two apprentices
• UV sanitizer
• Tweezers and comedone extractors
• Cleansers and liquid soap
• Skin fresheners (toners) and astringents
• Acids, including one or more of the following approved peels (alpha hydroxyl aids 3.5 pH or above): glycolic, sallcylic (beta peel), mandelic, citric, lactic, or azelaic
• Emollient creams and moisturizers
• Foundation, concealer, powder, and blush
• Lipstick and lip color
• Eye shadows, eyeliners, mascaras, and mascara wands
• Eyebrow pencils
• Eyelashes and adhesives
• Professional pencil sharpener
• Disposable sponges and applicators
• Cotton swabs, round cottons pads, rectangular rolled cotton, and cotton balls
• Wooden spatula
• Muslin strips
• Disposable gloves
• Barbicide 90% and alcohol to clean implements
• Current standard textbook and one workbook
• A copy of the laws and rules of the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

Nail Technology Apprenticeship Curriculum
A nail technology apprentice teacher is responsible for ensuring their apprentice completes the following 600-hour curriculum:

• Sterilization/sanitation: 16 theory hours and four (4) practical hours
• State laws and job search: 20 theory hours
• Manicuring and pedicuring: 80 theory hours and 220 practical hours
• Chemicals and chemistry: 40 theory hours
• Nail wrapping: Four (4) theory hours and 10 practical hours
• Artificial nail services: 10 theory hours and 176 practical hours
• Nail art techniques: Four (4) theory hours and 16 practical hours

Nail Technology Apprenticeship Supplies
A nail technology apprentice teacher is required to ensure that each apprentice has the basic supplies listed below. If the supplies are provided by the apprentice teacher, the teacher cannot charge the apprentice more than fair market value for the supplies.

• One nail station and chair with adequate light for every two apprentices
• A paraffin wax machine with paraffin wax
• UV gel light
• Appropriate disinfection container
• Sealed container to store disinfected implements
• Supply tray
• Finger bowl/manicuring bowl with nail brush
• Closed container with cotton
• Steel cuticle pusher, cuticle nippers, metal nail file, and manicure scissors
• Acrylic nippers
• Fingernail and toenail clippers
• Spatula
• Tweezers and metal tongs
• Emery boards, nail buffers, and orangewood or birchwood sticks
• Pedicure slippers and toe separators
• Nail polish, colored nail enamel, and base coat and top coat
• Polish remover
• Cuticle remover and cuticle oil
• Hand cream and massage lotion
• Mannequin hand or practice fingers
• Materials for acrylic sculptured nails
• Footbath
• Antiseptic foot spray
• Liquid soap
• Foot file or paddle
• Covered container for soiled or disposable towels/linens
• Closed container/cabinet for clean towels/linens
• Alcohol to clean implements
• Current standard textbook and one workbook
• A copy of the laws and rules of the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

Electrology Apprenticeship Curriculum
An electrology apprentice teacher is responsible for ensuring their apprentice completes the following 600-hour curriculum:

• Introduction to electrolysis and three accepted methods of permanent hair removal: 30 hours
• Integumentary system: 12 hours
• Neurology and angiology: 12 hours
• Endocrinology: 12 hours
• Biology of hair growth: 20 hours
• Skin assessments: 40 hours
• Blood borne pathogens: 10 hours
• Bacteriology and sterilization, microbiology of the skin, and safety procedures: 34 hours
• Clinic/office management, client relations, communication, professional ethics, and management issues: 10 hours
• Consultations: 40 hours
• Practice hours: 350 hours
• Laws and rules of the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering: 10 hours
• State board exam preparation and review: 10 hours

Electrology Apprenticeship Supplies
An electrology apprentice teacher is required to ensure that each apprentice has the basic supplies and materials required to learn electrology, including a copy of the laws and rules of the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. If the supplies are provided by the apprentice teacher, the teacher cannot charge the apprentice more than fair market value for the supplies.

Effective Date: June 11