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Legislative Update - February 2008
FAB Professionals met with supporters and the sponsor of HB 415, Rep. Jennifer Carroll, and SB 996, Sen. Wise's legislative aide, Feb. 12 in an attempt to compromise and move forward with legislation to support and strengthen Florida's cosmetology industry. Carroll agreed to a 1,500-hour increase instead of an 1,800-hour increase for required hours for licensed cosmetologists. This was done by agreeing to keep the 1,000-hour hair technician license, now called a "hair stylist" license. Incoming students will have the choice of obtaining their cosmetology license at 1,500 hours or a 1,000-hour hair stylist license. In summary, HB 415/SB 996 offers a 1,500-hour cosmetology program at licensed schools throughout Florida. The additional licenses by examination are 600 hours for estheticians, 350 hours for nail technicians and a 1,000-hour hair stylist license. An outline of each license and their permitted services is below. FAB Professional members have struggled with the 1,000-hour hair stylist program. The issue at hand was for the high school cosmetology programs which under current requirments can complete the program by the time a student graduates. The creation of the 1,000-hour program satisfied the important need for these programs. FAB Professionals tried to negotiate "cut out" language which was not accepted. Carroll agreed to amend HB 415/SB 996 to allow the application for examination and licensing submission to the DBPR in the last 100 hours of education in any of the fields of cosmetology. It will allow the student to secure an exam date prior to graduation and pre-approval for licensing if all requirements for licensing are met upon passing the exam. The same application fee and examination fee will be in effect as they are now, and there would be a six-month window from date of application approval to complete the examination. If the student misses this six-month window, a new application and fee must be submitted for a new approval of exam and license. While compromising on the hair stylist license, FAB Professionals feels that the reduction in hours from 1800 to 1500 for licensed cosmetologists will help the schools promote the selection of education for fully licensed cosmetologists. With the creation of the new hair stylist license the association will continue to educate the industry on the limited ability of these licensees to practice outside of the state of Florida. Further clarification within HB 415/SB 996 relates to the ability for a licensee to be able to practice in their chosen field upon passing of the exam. In order to reduce unlicensed activity, there will be no supervised practice allowance for any individual who failed all or part of their respective exam. However, those who pass the exam and upon awaiting the issuance of their licenses may practice under the supervision of a licensee within their respective field. Last week, HB 415 passed through the House Committee on Business Regulation and the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries unanimously. HB 415 has a Senate sister bill which mirrors the House bill. SB 996 passed through Regulated Industries unanimously on March 4th. It then passed through the House Council (Entrepreneurship) on March 6th and will head to the House Floor for voting. The bill has several Senate Committees to work its way through before making it to a final vote. This process might prove to be more difficult. Again, this is a big step forward in bringing a unified voice to the Florida Legislature. What The Bill Does: · Grandfathers all current cosmetologists and holders of nail technician and facial specialist registrations. · Changes the license requirements for Cosmetologist:
· Creates three (3) new licenses:
· Allows students to get to work faster by providing exam application processing at 100 hours prior to graduation, so students can schedule their exam upon graduation. · Requires students to pass licensure exam prior to working in the public. · Improves reciprocity for licenses with other states. The following individuals participated in the meeting on February 12th: Rick Wallace (FAB Professionals) Rep. Jennifer Carroll Dee Alexander (Sen. Wise's Office) Anita Coppedge (North Florida Cosmetology Institute) Kim Matthews (North Florida Cosmetology Institute) Catherine Turner (American Academy of Cosmetology) Evelyn Williams (American Academy of Cosmetology) Tom Petrillo (Aveda Institute) Judy Owens (Aveda Institute) Laurel Ritenbaugh (Plant City High School) Susan Lehr (Florida Community College at Jacksonville) Myra Jowers (Professional Educator) Dan Washburn (Great Clips, Inc. Franchisee) Mez Varol (International Academy) Joanne Powers (The Salon Professional Academy - Gainesville) - via phone Doreen Scalea (Boca Beauty Academy) - via phone Tara Dowdal (Paul Mitchell The School) - via phone Susan Miller (Hillsborough County Public Schools) - via phone Andrea Beverly (Hillsborough County Public Schools) - via phone Nancy Bradley (Commission for Independent Education) - via phone Cosette Whitmore (Hillsborough County Public Schools) - via phone
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