House Bill 399 and Senate Bill 245 seek to significantly reduce the number of clock hours required for licensure as a cosmetologist/barber from 1,500/1,800 hours to 1000 hours. Currently a newly licensed cosmetologist/barber in the State of Ohio can seek licensure in 30 states without the need of investing in any additional education. If HB-399/SB-245 becomes law, that same newly licensed cosmetologist/barber would lose reciprocity with most of the country.
The proponents of this bill claim that the current licensure requirements are overburdensome and that lowering hour requirements will lead to less debt. No one will argue that less debt is a bad thing, however HB-399/SB-245 doesn’t make cosmetology or barbering education any cheaper, it simply removes half of the education. Buying a car for 50% off seems like a great deal until you realize that the car you bought is missing half of its parts.
Support the beauty industry and beauty professionals by making sure that education and licensure standards are not lowered in order for a few large companies to make a few more bucks. Protect my profession.
Please sign the both petitions for House Bill 399 and Senate Bill 245.