Committee backs a standalone hairdresser license to shorten training and testing

The committee voted to report House Bill 5902, a bill that creates a standalone hairdresser (limited cosmetology) license and a $48 biennial fee. Representative Regas said the bill responds to students who must complete the full 1,500-hour cosmetology program to practice hair services and are tested in areas they do not intend to use.

Regas said the hair license allows people who want to cut hair (men and women) to avoid training and testing in unrelated services. "It's the same cost as a regular cosmetology license, which is $48 every two years," Regas said, noting the measure is primarily a licensing adjustment rather than a substantive regulatory change.

The clerk read support cards from cosmetology schools and industry representatives. Representative Thompson moved to report HB5902 with recommendation; the clerk recorded the motion prevailing with 15 ayes and no nays.

Sponsors said the measure is intended as a straightforward technical change to make licensing more practical for entrants to the profession.