Major Announcement: New coalition moves to radically reform the beauty industry from within to streamline job entry and create one national standard of 1,000-hours for cosmetology licensure
Leaders in the professional beauty industry announced today the official launch of The Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition (FBIC) to advocate for reforms that strengthen and streamline the cosmetology job entry process, including advocating for a 1,000-hour standard for cosmetology curriculum hours in every state in America.
The coalition was formed by major industry leaders representing students, licensed stylists, salon business owners, manufacturers, distributors, and school owners to advocate for reforms that streamline industry standards and protect against licensing deregulation. One national standard of 1,000 cosmetology school hours aligns with the coalition’s effort to advocate for continuing education, national testing, and license mobility — reforms that will create flexibility, decrease student loan debt, and protect consumers against the deregulation of licensed beauty professionals.
Today’s occupational licensure model is inconsistent across the country and fails to keep up with the current economy, while burdening students with increased debt. Independent research conducted by the coalition shows that increased licensing hours do not correlate to increased exam passing rates or increased wages. However, proper baseline training and entry-level licensure is necessary to keep the public safe.
Professional Beauty Association Executive Director and FBIC Board Member Steve Sleeper commented,
“The Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition is working with state governments to enact common sense reforms to the cosmetology occupational licensing process. Ultimately, our work will positively impact the licensing process and support our salon owners who have a high demand for new licensed stylists. Industry-guided reform, focused on a national standard for cosmetology licensing, is the best way to support our future licensed salon professionals, while at the same time creating more employment opportunities.”
Rhoda Olsen, President of and The International SalonSpa Business Network, said, “Demand is high for beauty professionals across the county and the Bureau of Labor Statistics has said that our industry is poised to grow 10 percent during the next decade, surpassing all other occupations reviewed by the BLS. We must take the best approach to properly move students into the workforce to fill those job openings while maintaining health and safety standards for our clients.”
Throughout their education, licensed professionals study skin and scalp care, anatomy, biology, chemistry, and science-based infection control. Upon completion of education and verification via testing, licensed professionals are trained to utilize chemicals and tools safely to avoid injuries and the spread of infectious diseases. Governed by their individual state board of barbering and cosmetology, each state also has in place a consumer complaint resolution process that includes sending inspectors to examine establishments, conducting hearings to address consumer complaints, and assessing appropriate fines and penalties.
