TDLR: combined establishment license, body-waxing for barbers, and new signage rules take effect in stages

TDLR presenters described changes that affect shops and salons under the consolidated statute and proposed rules.

Angela Sanders, cosmetology program specialist, said that effective Jan. 1, 2023 a separate barbershop and cosmetology salon license will no longer be required for a business to offer both services: "A separate barbershop and cosmetology salon license will no longer be required to offer both barbering and cosmetology services." She added the change is optional — businesses may continue to operate as single-discipline establishments if they prefer — and warned owners to ensure that each practitioner performing a service holds the appropriate underlying license.

On sanitation and signage, Yvonne Lopez, licensing manager, said all establishments must post combined sanitation rules beginning Jan. 1, 2023. She also reminded attendees that an expanded human-trafficking sign requirement (available in five languages) must be posted and that the sign does not require color printing.

Sean O'Neil, barber program specialist, described changes to license-display options and scope of practice: beginning Jan. 2023 licensees may display a digital image of their license with a photo on a phone or tablet instead of an original paper license, and class A barbers will be permitted to perform body waxing — previously limited to hair removal from the neck up. "Effective January 2023 ... barbers will be able to remove superfluous hair from a person's body," he said, while reiterating that straight-razor shaving remains a barber-exclusive service.

TDLR cautioned that the full transition of establishment license types and issuance of new license documents will take additional administrative work on the agency side and that businesses might not receive new physical license cards by the day the law's effective dates arrive.