Oklahoma Bill Overhauls Current Cosmetology Law

posted on: June 19, 2024

Regulations, exemptions, and fees, oh my!

In May, Governor Kevin Stitt signed into law House Bill 2141 (HB 2141), impacting several cosmetology laws, including:

Regulating eyelash extensions, blow-dry styling, and makeup application services
Deregulating shampoo and hair braiding services
Adding master cosmetology and barber license categories
Changing cosmetology and barber curriculum hours
Amending apprenticeship requirements
Increasing licensing fees
Altering license renewal date

New: Eyelash Extension Specialist Certificate
New definitions from HB 2141 (pages 3 through 7) add new regulation requirements for some services, including eyelash extensions.

The bill defines an eyelash extension specialist as a person certified to perform eyelash extension application services by the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (Board) and who has passed a state written exam relating to general safety and sanitation. They must demonstrate proof of completing a minimum of 120 hours of training with a certified eyelash extension instructor.

Eyelash extension application is considered the application, removal, and trimming of threadlike natural or synthetic fibers to an eyelash. The service must include cleansing the lashes and lash line. Eyelash extension application does not include coloring or straightening agents, permanent wave solutions, bleaching agents, or any other service that may be considered under the practice of cosmetology.

Under HB 2141, an eyelash extension instructor is a person certified by the Board or a manufacturer of eyelash extension application products. An eyelash extension instructor must pass a state written exam relating to general safety and sanitation. A person may apply for an eyelash extension instructor certificate after receiving an eyelash extension specialist certificate and demonstrating proof of at least 60 hours of eyelash extension application services.

New: Blow-Dry Styling Certificate
HB 2141 also regulates blow-dry styling services. The bill defines blow-dry services as the practice of shampooing, conditioning, drying, arranging, curling, straightening, or styling the hair using mechanical devices, hairsprays, and topical agents, including balms, oils, and serums. Blow-dry styling includes the use and styling of hair extensions, hair pieces, and wigs. Blow-dry styling does not include cutting hair or applying dyes, bleach, reactive chemicals, keratin treatments, or other preparations intended to color or alter the hair structure.

An individual must complete instruction requirements to receive a blow-dry styling certificate. Twelve hours of education must be related to general safety and sanitation, four of which must be dedicated to learning how to use mechanical devices for drying, curling, straightening, or styling hair.

Establishment licensing and inspection requirements are not required at a business where a person performs blow-dry styling services.

New: Certified Makeup Artist
HB 2141 also regulates makeup application, defined as the application of a cosmetic, such as powder, foundation, rouge, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, or lipstick, to enhance the appearance of the face or skin and may be applied using an airbrush. Makeup application is not permanent makeup or tattooing.

A makeup artist is a person certified to practice makeup application. They must complete a minimum of eight hours of instruction requirements related to general safety and sanitation before offering makeup application services.

Establishment licensing and inspection requirements are not required at a business where a person performs makeup application services.

License and Certification Exemptions
In contrast to the new regulation requirements mentioned above, HB 2141 also removes licensing/certification requirements for some services.

Shampooing is the practice of washing or cleansing the hair using shampoo and conditioner and drying the hair using topical agents, such as balms, oils, and serums. Shampooing includes washing or cleansing hair extensions, hair pieces, and wigs. Shampooing does not include cutting hair or the application of dyes, bleach, reactive chemicals, keratin treatments, or other preparations intended to color and alter the hair structure. Individuals practicing only shampooing are not required to hold a license or certification.

Hair braiding is twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding hair by hand or with mechanical devices. Hair braiding includes the use of natural or synthetic hair extensions, hair and fibers, decorative beads, or other hair accessories. The service includes making wigs from natural hair or fibers, synthetic fibers, or hair extensions. Hair braiding includes the use of topical agents, such as conditioners, gels, moisturizers, oils, pomades, and shampoos. The service does not include the application of dyes, reactive chemicals, or other preparations intended to color, straighten, curl, or alter the hair structure, or use chemical hair-jointing agents such as synthetic tape, keratin bonds, or fusion bonds. Hair braiding technicians practicing only hair braiding are not required to hold a license or certification.

Master-Level Licensing
HB 2141 wants to help showcase your years of expertise and skill and introduces master-level license categories.

A master barber and a master cosmetologist are licensed professionals who have practiced barbering or cosmetology respectively for a cumulative period of at least 15 years. Once this time requirement is met, a barber or cosmetologist may request a master-level license from the Board.

A master barber or cosmetologist can provide instruction to no more than two registered apprentices at a time.

Curriculum
HB 2141 changes barbering and cosmetology curriculum requirements. On or before July 1, 2025, the Board must adopt new barbering and cosmetology curriculum of either:

1,000 clock hours for nonchemical-use licensure, or
1,250 hours of chemical-use licensure

Previous law required 1,500 hours of barbering or cosmetology course instruction.

Apprenticeship
Under HB 2141, two apprentices may be registered to receive training in any cosmetology or barber establishment—previous law allowed only one apprentice. Under the new law, a registered apprentice may receive compensation during their training in a cosmetology or barber establishment. An apprentice must complete 2,250 hours of apprenticeship training in a cosmetology or barber establishment, which is a decrease from the previous requirement of 3,000 hours.

Required apprenticeship curriculum must be created by a Board-approved organization. Practical and theory-related benchmarks must be administered by either a master barber or master cosmetologist at the end of each chapter/unit of the curriculum.

Fees Increase
HB 2141 increases fees charged to license and certificate holders after the bill’s November 1, 2024, effective date.

Student and School Fees

Student registration: $10 (previously $5)
License examination: $50 (previously $35)
Cosmetology and barber initial school license: $400 (no change)
Cosmetology and barber school license renewal: $125 (no change)
Apprentice registration: $10 (no change)

Professional License and Certificate Fees

Advanced operator license renewal: $40 (previously $25)
Facial operator license: $40 (previously $25)
Cosmetology license: $40 (previously $25)
Barber license: $40 (previously $25)
Manicurist license: $40 (previously $25)
Eyelash extension specialist certificate: $40 (new)
Eyelash extension instructor certificate: $40 (new)
Blow-dry styling certificate: $40 (new)
Makeup artist certificate: $40 (new)
Facial/esthetics instructor license: $45 (previously $30)
Manicurist/nail technician instructor license: $45 (previously $30)
Master barber: $40 (new)
Master cosmetologist: $40 (new)
Master cosmetology instructor license: $65 (previously $50)
Master barber instructor license $65 (previously $50)

Establishment Fees

Cosmetology establishment initial license: $60 (previously $45)
Cosmetology establishment license renewal: $45 (previously $30)
Barber establishment initial license: $60 (previously $45)
Barber establishment license renewal: $45 (previously $30)
Nail salon initial license: $60 (previously $45)
Nail salon license renewal: $45 (previously $30)

Reciprocity Fees

Reciprocity initial license: $45 (previously $30)
Reciprocity processing fee: $45 (previously $30)

Miscellaneous Fees

Duplicate license fee: $10 (previously $5)
Notary fee: $1 (no change)
Certification of records: $10 (no change)

License Renewal Date
Beginning November 1, 2025, all licenses and certificates renewed annually will be renewed every two years. The following fees will be charged to license and certificate holders.

Student and School Fees

Student registration: $10
License examination: $50
Cosmetology and barber initial school license: $400
Cosmetology and barber school license renewal: $250
Apprentice registration: $10

Professional License and Certificate Fees

Renewal advanced operator license: $80
Facial operator license: $80
Cosmetology license: $80
Barber license: $80
Manicurist license: $80
Eyelash extension specialist certificate: $80
Eyelash extension instructor certificate: $80
Blow-dry styling certificate: $80
Makeup artist certificate: $80
Facial/esthetics instructor license: $90
Manicurist/nail technician instructor license: $45
Master barber: $80
Master cosmetologist: $80
Master cosmetology instructor license: $130
Master barber instructor license: $130

Establishment Fees

Cosmetology establishment initial license: $120
Cosmetology establishment license renewal: $90
Barber establishment initial license: $120
Barber establishment license renewal: $90
Nail salon initial license: $120
Nail salon license renewal: $90

Reciprocity Fees

Reciprocity initial license: $90
Reciprocity processing fee: $90

Miscellaneous Fees

Duplicate license: $1
Notary fee: $1
Certification of records: $10

Bill Effective Date: November 1, 2024