HB664 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kurt Wallace

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Cosmetology, Board of, continued in the name of Cosmetic Arts, Board of, regulation of cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, and natural hairstylists and their shops and schools, Secs. 34-7B-1 to 34-7B-27, inclusive, added; Secs. 34-7A-1 to 34-7A-25, inclusive, repealed

Summary

HB664 creates a single Alabama Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to regulate barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, natural hairstylists, and their shops and schools, replacing the previous cosmetology board.

What This Bill Does

The bill repeals the old Alabama Board of Cosmetology and establishes the Alabama Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, including transitional provisions for existing board members and procedures. It defines new professional categories, sets licensing requirements and renewal rules, establishes a board fund and a formal fee schedule, and gives the board authority to regulate licenses, shops, and schools, including disciplinary actions for violations. It also creates detailed apprenticeship, school, and instructor requirements, plus bonding, insurance, and facility standards for schools, and specifies how appeals and hearings work.

Who It Affects

• Cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, natural hairstylists, and threading professionals — face new licensing categories, hour and education requirements, renewal schedules, and potential disciplinary actions.
• Shop and school owners — must meet new licensing, bonding, insurance, floor plan, and operation rules and may be subject to annual fee schedules and regulatory oversight.
• Students and apprentices — participate in registration, apprenticeship programs with specified hours and supervision, and progress through instructor- and school-related requirements.
• The general public — gains stronger state-regulated oversight of professionals and facilities to ensure safety and quality of services.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to regulate barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, natural hairstylists, and their shops and schools; repeals Chapter 7A and establishes Chapter 7B, Section 34-7B-1 et seq.
• Board composition and governance: seven gubernatorially appointed members (two cosmetologists, two barbers, one esthetician, one manicurist, one consumer), with district representation, four-year terms, diversity requirements, and per diem for meetings.
• Executive director and staffing: board hires an executive director in the merit system; the director hires staff subject to merit guidelines.
• Licensing framework: creates personal licenses and business licenses (shops and schools) with expiration rules, display requirements, and reciprocity options; late fees apply for renewals, and licenses must be renewed by specific dates.
• Hours and education requirements: barbering (1,000 hours in licensed school or 2,000 hours under supervision), cosmetology (1,500 hours in school or 3,000 under supervision), esthetics (1,500 hours in school or 3,000 under supervision), natural hair styling (210 hours), manicure (750 hours or 1,200 hours under supervision), and related pathways for instructors and combined practices.
• Apprenticeships and students: defines apprenticeships with supervision rules and requires sponsor certification of completion; sets age and education prerequisites for students and apprentices; threading licensed as a registered activity.
• School requirements: schools must post bonds ($50,000) to protect students, carry liability insurance, provide floor plans, maintain records, ensure instructor ratios, and show proof of contracts and financial forms; ownership changes require board approval.
• Disciplinary authority: board may deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for specified misconduct; hearings with notice; civil penalties up to $750 per violation; enforcement and appeal provisions.
• Fees and funds: board must establish a comprehensive fee schedule for licenses, renewals, examinations, reinstatements, and related services; all fees go into the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Fund.
• Transitional provisions: existing licenses and board actions transfer to the new board; references to the old board are treated as references to the new board; constitutional/local-funding provision notes and exceptions for local expenditures.
• Effective date: act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Cosmetology, Board of