Subcommittee advances bill to add trichology training to Georgia cosmetology curriculum

A House subcommittee on professional and occupational licenses voted to advance House Bill 684 on a voice vote after adopting a technical amendment to a deadline.

The bill would add trichology — the study of hair and scalp disorders — into cosmetology training, proposing 50 hours of instructor training and 30 hours for students, proponents said. The amendment corrected a date in the bill from 06/30/2025 to 06/30/2026 on the recommendation of the legislative counsel.

Why it matters: Proponents told the committee they have observed a rise in scalp disorders and hair loss since the COVID-19 pandemic and said cosmetology programs currently offer only cursory information on trichology. Connie Judge, a licensed cosmetologist and founder of the National Trichology Training Institute, told the panel, “I have never seen this much hair loss in my entire career,” and urged that formal curriculum time be dedicated to scalp disorders.

Shiera Smith, a licensed instructor and certified trichologist who teaches in a Georgia beauty college, said students “get very little” trichology instruction and that demand has risen recently, describing current classroom materials as insufficient. “If we had it more to give, then it would be very, very helpful in this industry,” she said.

Enforcement questions: Several members raised concerns about enforcement and unlicensed practitioners. Representative Williams thanked sponsors for the bill but warned of a large informal “kitchen” cosmetology sector operating without licenses and asked whether the bill addresses enforcement. The bill’s sponsor and witnesses said enforcement is constrained by a lack of inspectors and board capacity; Chairman McDonald observed that inspectors are stretched thin and cannot pursue many unlicensed operators. Members urged appropriations to consider funding additional inspection staff.

Procedural action: Representative Williams moved a ‘do pass’ recommendation to send the measure to the full committee; a second was noted but not identified in the hearing. The committee adopted an amendment to change the bill’s deadline date to 06/30/2026, then approved the bill as amended and moved it forward.

What’s next: House Bill 684 will be considered by the full committee. Supporters said the measure is intended to improve baseline education in cosmetology schools rather than to be the primary mechanism for shutting down unlicensed operations.

Sources: Testimony from Connie Judge (founder, National Trichology Training Institute) and instructor Shiera Smith; committee discussion and procedural record during the subcommittee hearing on House Bill 684.