Deregulation of Hair Braiders and Other Law Changes

There were many changes this past week for the cosmetology profession in Florida, including the deregulation of three registrations. Governor DeSantis signed the Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act. The goal is to reduce barriers to work in Florida.

The Act includes many changes under the DBPR, including deregulation of some registrations, removal of hurdles for licensing for out-of-state cosmetology professionals, salon changes, and a reduction of hours for obtaining a license for specialists. All of the changes look like they took effect on July 1st. Let’s review some of them.

Deregulation of “Other Registrants”, or Braiders and Wrappers

To me, this is one of the biggest changes in the Act. There are no longer links on the cosmetology board website to apply, renew, or manage these license types. Hair braiders, hair wrappers, and body wrappers have now been deregulated. Because of this, we have removed our 2-hour HIV/AIDS course for the renewal of these registrations. However, our 2-hour HIV/AIDS course for barbers will remain active.

We know we will have many hair braiders sending us messages in the coming months as they try to renew their hair braider license. Deregulation of hair braider licenses means there is not a license or registration to renew.

This change:

Removes registration requirements and licensure requirements for hair braiding, hair wrapping, and body wrapping by the Department.

Services Outside the Salon

Previously, it was very difficult to offer any services outside a salon. Now, properly licensed individuals can now offer some salon services outside the salon! Hair shampooing, hair cutting, hair arranging, nail polish removal, nail filing, nail buffing, and nail cleansing services outside of a licensed salon. These services may be performed at homes and other locations. These changes are especially helpful in our new, crazy COVID-19 world.

This change:

Allows cosmetologists or specialists performing services in connection with a special event to no longer be required to be employed by a licensed salon or be required to make an appointment for a special event through a licensed salon. Also properly licensed individuals may offer hair shampooing, hair cutting, hair arranging, nail polish removal, nail filing, nail buffing, and nail cleansing services outside of a licensed salon.

Reduction of Training Hours for Specialists

While Florida already has some of the lowest hour requirements in the nation, they further reduced the hours needed for nail, facial, and full specialists to get licensed.

• Nail specialist hours were reduced from 240 to 180.
• Facial specialist hours were reduced from 260 to 200.
• Full specialist hours were reduced from 500 to 400.

Reduction in Continuing Education Hours for Cosmetologists, Nail, Facial, and Full Specialists

Yes, there was already a board rule for a reduction of continuing education changes in February. You can read more about that here (New CE REquirements). But now it is in the Florida laws and rules.

You can check out our newly-board-approved 10-hour renewal course for cosmetologists, nail specialists, facial specialists, or full specialists.

This change:

Lowers the continuing education requirement for cosmetologists from 16 hours to 10.

Reduction in Training Hours for Barbers

Last year there was a reduction in hours for restricted barbers. This year, barber hours have been reduced.

This change:

Reduces the number of training hours required to be eligible for barber licensure from 1200 to 900 and specifies that the 900 training hours must be in sanitation, safety, and laws and rules. Reduces program certification requirements from 1,000 to 600 hours.

Easing the Endorsement Process and Reciprocity for Out of State Licensees

We are still waiting for more information on this change. It is a little vague to if there is going to be some sort of reciprocity agreement with other states. As of now it still looks like a 4-hour HIV/AIDS course is still required for all out of state Cosmetologists, Nail, Facial, and Full specialist applicants. Here is that course – Initial 4-Hour HIV Course.

The best news is that many cosmetologists that would need to take the cosmetology exam may not get to skip that step if their license in another state is active (New Yorkers, I am talking to you!).

Thoughts?

Any thoughts on these changes? Do these reductions in red tape put the public of Florida at more risk?

We are working on updating the website this week with these new changes. If you want to read the entire bill text, click here.

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