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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Aspiring Barbers and Cosmetologists in Iowa Can Now Learn on the Job Instead of Paying Thousands for Classes
Nearly 20 percent of Iowans must obtain an occupational license before they can work. A new law is lowering barriers to employment in the Hawkeye State. Last week, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 711 into law, creating an apprenticeship program that allows unlicensed individuals to provide cosmetology and barbering services under the supervision of someone who is licensed and after completing two hours of education on sanitation rules. Businesses that participate in this program are required to register with the state's Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences and comply with safety and sanitation requirements. Consumers must also receive written disclosure that the services are performed by an unlicensed provider partaking in an establishment training program. The enactment of this bill will significantly reduce the barriers to working in Iowa's barbering and cosmetology industries. Under previous regulations, an individual required a license before making an income from providing salon and barbering services. But to obtain a license, one had to first graduate from a board-approved cosmetology program (with an average tuition of $19,508), complete 1,550 hours of supervised practice, and pass an examination—all to enter a profession in which half make less than $25,990 a year, according to the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit public interest law firm. But now unlicensed employees will have the opportunity to immediately earn income while learning how to cut, color, shampoo, and style hair under licensed cosmetologists who own the establishment training programs. These business owners, rather than a board-approved school, are "responsible for ensuring education, training, skills, and competence of persons who provide services in the owner's establishment." And while those in the program may use the experience to take the licensing exam and obtain a license after completing 2,000 hours of supervised practice, it is not a requirement to continue working. Iowa's barbering and cosmetology industries are divided on the impact the legislation will have. Kristen Van Hauen, a stylist and hair salon owner, told WHO-13, the local NBC affiliate, that "giving people the opportunity to just start doing hair, [is] not going to help strengthen our industry as a whole." She's also concerned that the professionalism of the industry will be diminished. But others disagree. Lindsey Mollenhauer, another hair salon owner, believes the law will offer more specialized education opportunities. "If anyone had a bad haircut, which a lot of us have. I think we need to consider that it was given by a licensed cosmetologist or a licensed barber," she told WHO-13. "So, the license doesn't necessarily speak to quality or craftsmanship." The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), a membership organization for beauty professionals, opposed the Iowa legislation, along with a similar deregulatory bill in Arizona that failed earlier this year. The PBA's director of government affairs, Myra Irizarry Reddy, told American Salon that "the current licensing process ensures beauty professionals are educated in sanitation, chemical safety, and client protection." Lowering cosmetology standards and "allowing untrained individuals to provide salon services," Reddy said, would expose "businesses to lawsuits, liability, and uninsured workers." But business owners are in a better position to know which risks they are willing to take on to meet their customers' demands. Iowa's sweeping change is a good start, and hopefully a sign of more occupational licensing reform to come in the state and across the country. The post Aspiring Barbers and Cosmetologists in Iowa Can Now Learn on the Job Instead of Paying Thousands for Classes appeared first on
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa cosmetologists divided over bill aimed at easing licensing for industry
DES MOINES, Iowa — A bill moving through the Iowa Legislature has the attention of those working in the barber and cosmetology industry. House File 711 aims to create an apprenticeship that would allow unlicensed individuals to learn how to cut, color, shampoo, and style hair under a licensed cosmetologist. After the apprenticeship, those individuals have the opportunity to obtain their license, but the bill doesn't require that they do. Those in the industry are divided on the bill, with one side saying the bill deregulates the industry and allows for employers to take advantage of those in their apprenticeship, while others say the bill increases accessibility, and that licensing doesn't automatically mean better services behind the chair. 'For the future of this industry, giving people the opportunity to just start doing hair, it's not going to help strengthen our industry as a whole. I think it will diminish the professionalism of it to, but that's my biggest concern,' said Kristen Van Hauen, owner of Van Hair Collective. WATCH: Ben McCollum, Iowa hold introductory press conference Hauen also says that licensing allows stylists to move around the state and nation to different salons, whereas an unlicensed stylist could be trapped at a certain salon due to not having the ability to leave. Hauen says HF 711 doesn't ensure the longevity of careers for those who undergo an apprenticeship without obtaining their licensing. Meanwhile, Lindsey Mollenhauer, owner of Elevencherry Salon, feels differently and says that the bill allows for better-specialized education. 'If anyone had a bad haircut, which a lot of us have. I think we need to consider that it was given by a licensed cosmetologist or a licensed barber. So, the license doesn't necessarily speak to quality or craftsmanship,' said Mollenhauer. Mollenhauer says she does agree that sanitation guidelines should continue to be prioritized, and says that she is glad that education is still in HF 711, as the bill requires two hours of education related to barbering and cosmetology laws in the state and rules of sanitation. Currently, Iowa does have apprenticeships as a pathway to licensure registered under the United States Department of Labor. However, through this program, apprenticeships are not the primary route to becoming a hairstylist, and education must be received in a board-approved school. Iowa News: Iowa cosmetologists divided over bill aimed at easing licensing for industry WATCH: Ben McCollum, Iowa hold introductory press conference WHO 13 Farm Report: Tuesday, March 25 Iowa State Fair releases teaser photo for remaining Grandstand act Heroes of the Heartland recognized by American Red Cross Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa Barber Coalition urging lawmakers to approve bill to allow training on the job
DES MOINES, Iowa — On Monday, outside of the Iowa State Capitol building, the Iowa Barber Coalition held a press conference urging lawmakers to support House File 711. Iowa Senate amends, approves Governor Reynolds' school cellphone restriction bill The bill passed out of the Iowa House last week with bipartisan support. The proposal would allow those wanting to get into barbering to gain experience while working in a barber shop. The way Iowa code is currently set up, those looking to get into the industry have to get a license through a cosmetology school. The bill is an alternative to the traditional route. Licensed shop owners would be able to hire workers and provide supervised training. Licensed barbers would need to take a two hour educational class to be eligible to train and supervise people coming to work in their business. April 4 is the second funnel deadline for Iowa lawmakers, so in just a couple of weeks the group will know the fate of the legislation they are pushing for. Iowa News: Tractors line Highway 14 to honor longtime Jasper County farmer Iowa Barber Coalition urging lawmakers to approve bill to allow training on the job Iowa Senate amends, approves Governor Reynolds' school cellphone restriction bill Skylar Vann and Oklahoma easily dispatch Iowa from women's NCAA Tournament, 96-62 WHO 13 Farm Report: Monday, March 24th Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa bill could shave off requirements for barbers, cosmetologists to earn licenses
A bill that could lead to new pathways for barbers and hairstylists to earn their licenses is making its way through the Iowa legislature. 'I feel like we just need to have more than one pathway,' Craig Hunt, a licensed barber, told Our Quad Cities News. House File 711 would create a general training program that allows unlicensed individuals to work under supervisors in barbershops and hair salons, and ultimately earn a license. The program would be paid. 'There's only 1,000 licensed barbers in the state, and one of the reasons there is only 1,000 licensed barbers is because we are already forced to learn cosmetology, even when we went to barber school,' Hunt said. 'Now we are forced to take a strict cosmetology test.' Some of the push-back on the bill includes the thought there could be a drop-off in quality of work and customer safety protocols not being taught. 'It's not changing the number of hours required to obtain a barber or cosmetology license,' Hunt said. 'It's currently 1,550 hours if you go the school route. Before I can even take him on, he has to take a health and sanitation course that he has to pass.'Ramiro Kepford, owner of Haus of Heir in Davenport, also sees the bill as beneficial. 'I think it's on us as an industry as a whole,' Kepford said. 'I think once they are in here we can kind of dictate what they are learning and really make sure they are coming out of that training program ready to go.' The bill advanced through the Iowa House, but it still needs Senate and governor approval to become law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
