Patron revises barber licensing bill; educators urge stronger guardrails and subcommittee carries measure to 2027

Delegate Williams presented a substitute to HB 742 designed to create an alternative licensure pathway for barbers. Under the substitute, trainees would register with the state and train under a licensed supervisor; after six months a licensed supervisor could vouch for a trainee's competency and the trainee could sit for the state licensure exam. The patron said the substitute creates a "training barbershop" registration pathway and would include limits such as a four-year window with a 90-day grace period for passing the exam.

Natasha Green, an educator at a barber school (Paul Mitchell School, Roanoke), testified in opposition. She said schools prepare students for the state board exam and cautioned that shop-based sign-offs could allow candidates who are not prepared for the exam to sit and fail. Delegate Carol and others asked how the bill would ensure that supervisors signing off maintain the same professional standards as regulated schools and apprenticeship programs; the patron said the state licensure examination would remain the competency benchmark.

Given concerns about guardrails and implementation, Delegate Cole moved to carry the bill over to the 2027 session to allow the patron to work with stakeholders. The motion to carry over was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.