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Cutting Edge News
FL Session 2009 Legislative Update #1
As the only professionally managed association for the beauty industry in Florida, FAB's primary mission is to advocate for new laws and regulations that will help the industry continue to flourish while also fighting legislation that will damage it.
As we head into the 2009 Florida Legislative Session, FAB is closely monitoring all legislation that will positively or negatively impact the industry. In an effort to help keep you fully informed, FAB will be producing short video legislative updates. As session moves forward, FAB may call on you to offer your voice by writing letters or emails or calling your legislator.
Currently, FAB is tracking two bills that involve our industry. The first bill is SENATE BILL 1566, which is sponsored by Senator Joyner. This bill, if passed, would authorize barber services to be provided by unlicensed interns or apprentices. Many professionals in the industry oppose any internship or apprenticeship program citing research which shows an increase in the amount of unlicensed activity after such a policy is implemented. Additionally, FAB, along with many others in the industry, is concerned that the state would not have enough resources to adequately monitor interns or apprentices and the internship programs to determine if they are meeting the educational requirements. FAB has been working diligently to increase the educational requirements in Florida for this industry and fears that an apprenticeship licensing method would undermine the industry's efforts to create a stronger, more competitive work force.
The second bill is SENATE BILL 1130, sponsored by Senator Sobel. This bill introduces legislation to regulate tattoo artists and tattoo parlors. By default, permanent make-up artists and permanent make-up salons, which are represented by FAB Professionals, would be included in this regulation. Although FAB supports licensing and regulating permanent make-up artists and salons, we are not in favor of a requirement that would force permanent make-up professionals to intern at a tattoo parlor to become eligible to be licensed. FAB is working closely with the bill sponsor, The Florida Professional Tattooing Guild, to craft an exemption for permanent make-up in this area.
Additionally, many of you are concerned about the possibility of a "service tax" being introduced this year, which would affect you and your business. Know that FAB is closely monitoring any discussions of a service tax and will fight against it.
Please continue to visit www.FABprofessionals.org and make sure you are signed up to receive our e-Newsletter, FABPRO. Also, if you are not a member of FAB Professionals, please take a few moments to review the membership benefits and join online today!
FAB Membership Special!
Today is your chance to join the growing list of salons that are already members of FAB! The Florida Association of Beauty Professionals (FAB) has a new, great special for membership fees- only $200 a year!
Almost immeadiately, you and your employees will receive access to all of FAB’s member benefits, including healthcare. FAB Pro Insurance Services can help you save thousands of dollars each year on health insurance for your employees.
We are dedicated to working hard for you, so you will also receive licensing and regulatory assistance when you need help with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
More of our benefits include keeping you on top of what’s going on in your industry by receiving vital news and updates, as well as reading what other salon owners have to say.
When you join FAB, you are joining a growing movement that is advocating for new laws that will strengthen your bottom line. Additionally, you will be helping to defeat bad regulation and legislation that would adversely affect your business.
Team up with something that will listen to you and support your salon. Call us today to discuss how membership with FAB Professionals could save your salon thousands of dollars this year. Call FAB Professionals at (850) 580-4064 and join today.
FAB PRO Skin and Nail Certification is HERE!
FAB Professionals is the exclusive provider of Prometric’s National Certification for Nail and Skin professionals in Florida. In response to last year's vetoed cosmetology bill, which sought to increase hours and require an examination for skin and nail technicians, FAB launched the voluntary FAB PRO National Nail and Skin Certification so that students will be better prepared, more marketable and obtain licensure in other states more easily. FAB understands that Florida’s students need to be able to compete with other professionals on a national level and the National Exam sets the industry standard.
FAB invites any school in Florida that wants to make the FAB PRO Certification available on-site to call (850) 580-4064 to schedule a testing date. In order to pass, students must score at least a 75%. Anyone who receives a passing score on the examination will receive a certificate stating that he/she has met the standards of a FAB PRO Nationally Certified professional.
The FAB PRO Certification for Nail and Skin professionals will cost $60 for members of the association and $75 for non-members. FAB will provide registered students with materials needed to prepare for the exam, and FAB will proctor the exam on location to ensure fairness in the administration of the exam. Tests will be scored by Prometric, the test developer.
This national certification will immediately provide an edge to professionals entering the workforce or those who are already practicing.
To find out more about being certified or schedule an examination date at a school, please call FAB Professionals at (850) 580-4064.
Spotlight
Befriend FAB on FACEBOOK!
FAB PRO is now on Facebook! It is an easy, fun way to communicate with us and stay on top of the latest news. We have created the FAB PRO Facebook community as a convenient way for you to not only keep in touch with FAB, but also for you to network with other beauty professionals.
Search for the name “FAB Pro” in the search box in the top right corner of the tool bar. We also have a separate fan page you can explore. You can find the link to the fan page on the “FAB Pro” profile page.
Adding FAB as your Facebook friend is effortless and will help you build your professional network. Add FAB PRO on Facebook and stay in touch!
Become a FAB PRO Certified Green Conscious Salon.
Is your salon green conscious? Would you like for your salon to carry the FAB PRO Green Conscious Salon Certification?
FAB invites all Florida salons to go green by becoming a FAB PRO Certified Green Conscious Salon. This certification is an effort initiated by FAB Professionals to encourage and promote green consciousness in the beauty industry. Not only can salons decrease their carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier Planet, but they can also save money with lower utility bills by implementing greener technology and attract new, green-conscious consumers.
This is a self-certification program that requires salons to meet certain minimum standards in order to qualify. Once qualified, the certified salons will receive a window decal indicating that the salon is a FAB PRO Certified Green Conscious Salon, a listing on the FAB Web site and a marketing kit to promote your business to the public as having met the standards as a FAB PRO Certified Green Conscious Salon.
In order to qualify, a salon must demonstrate successful completion of criteria in three areas: communication, commitment and waste reduction. A salon must also demonstrate the completion of two additional green activities and one salon-specific green activity.
To download an application for certification, please visit us online at http://www.fabpro.org/green.
March 9th is Barbie Day! So FAB wants you to use this day to show off your creative talents. Style somebody or yourself in a look inspired by Barbie and e-mail us the picture! Be as imaginative as you want to be. You could style Wedding Barbie, Motorcycle Barbie, 1950’s Barbie or create your own original style! The photographs will be judged on creativity, hair, make-up and similarities to the Barbie Doll. The first place winner will win a gift basket and a $100 Target gift card! Additionally, your picture will be published in next month’s newsletter and featured on the FAB PRO blog! Remember that Barbie isn’t afraid to try anything with her style, so have a lot fun with this!
E-mail your pictures to fabpro@fabprofessionals.org by March 31st. Include in your submission a picture and short description of what you did to achieve the style.
FAB is calling on all of you to contribute to our monthly e-Newsletter, FAB PRO. We are currently looking for your rudest customer moments. If you have a story about a situation with a rude customer and how you creatively dealt with it, please let us know by emailing fabpro@fabprofessionals.org, subject "e-Newsletter."
FAB PRO's Blog is Creating Buzz
Something new is in store for the FAB PRO Web site. Our new intern, Blake Korb, has taken over the blog and has been posting on what's new, hot and happening in the beauty industry. She is putting a new spin on it, and it is going to be something you won't want to miss. We want this to be a forum for you to discuss everything that is on your mind about the industry, and more. So check it out regularly and be sure to respond.
Issues and Information
Florida Board of Cosmetology Says NO to Fish Pedicures
The Florida Board of Cosmetology ruled last month that Florida salons are not permitted to use live fish in pedicure services. "Fish Pedicures" as it has been referred, utilize small Carp fish called Garra Rufa, which eat dead skin off of the feet. Lacking teeth, they don't eat living tissue, but they apparently slurp off soft decaying skin with great gusto.
The Board says that because disinfection cannot occur between uses, there is great sanitary concerns for Floridians. The issue has created quite a lot of buzz across the country. Florida is one of the few states that has directly ruled on the issue. Fish pedicures are popular in Asia, but have been banned in Texas, Washington, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in recent weeks.
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