Utah Bill Could Decimate Educational Standards

You went to school and trained hard for your professional license. The public recognizes your credentials that demonstrate your education and knowledge. If there was a bill that devalued your designation and implemented low instructional standards, would you stand up with your peers?

We need advocates to help us strike down House Bill 330, which takes a step toward deregulating esthetics and cosmetology (yes, you read correctly). The bill wants to create poorly structured apprenticeships and mini-licenses that would lead to a permit as an alternative to classroom training and licensure. How bad could it be? The bill would grant a permit to:

• A barber apprentice after 130 hours (or less)  
• A chemical hair apprentice after 260 hours (or less)  
• An esthetics apprentice after 200 hours (or less)
• A haircutting apprentice after 150 hours (or less)

It’s essential we protect regulatory oversight in Utah and oppose this bill. Read the letter we sent as inspiration to write to your elected officials—tell them how this bill could negatively affect you and the industry. The bill is moving fast, so act now! Here are some key talking points:

• The proposed number of apprenticeship hours are unreasonably low and would leave permit holders woefully unqualified to practice.
• With such limited hour requirements for permits, apprentices will not receive adequate education in universal precautions, sterilization, and sanitation procedures; without vital training in infection control, a consumer may be at risk of contracting viral, fungal, bacterial, or communicable diseases.
• By proposing the same apprenticeship hours for some programs—including cosmetology, electrology, eyelash/eyebrow, master esthetics, nail technology, and master barber—as those for traditional classroom education hours, the professional license will be devalued. Most apprenticeships across the country require double the hours of traditional classroom education.
• School enrollment will be negatively impacted if apprenticeship hours mirror classroom education hours.
• Mini-licenses and apprenticeship permits would provide no portability for individuals who want to practice across state lines or move to another state.