Esthetics are alot like a cosmetology they need to have as many hours or more  GA. Has an esthetician program they have 2000.hours and they have a step by step Curriculum of what is needed to get an Esthetics licenses. As a school I would want the best for my students and I would want the state to want the best in this field . Lot of what is needed in an Esthetics is what we make cosmetology get in their Curriculum.

 

Thank you ,

Faith Riley

Total Changez School Of Cosmetology  

I am a spa owner and licensed esthetician. I feel like the state should not go crazy in regards to the number of hours that is required for a license. Some states have as little as 300 hours and some as many as 1000. I feel that 300-500 hours is proper for the basic license. And an additional 300-500 hours for the Masters License.

I also feel that Microderm and Glycolic, Beta Hydroxy & Alpha Hydroxy treatments should be included in the basic license. They are low-risk treatments with no recovery period. Treatments such as Jessner, TCA, laser, and mid-high grade chemical peels should be for the Master Level Esthetician. In addition, I think it is totally ridiculous to propose that Estheticians can not do body treatments. Skin is skin and we are more certified to put products on skin than a massage therapist.

I want to make sure that the amount of hours and new rules are FAIR to everyone and not a scheme for schools to make more money and other practices (Dermatologists, Massage therapists) to gain more market share.

While I feel that it is very important to have the estheticians in this state licensed to protect the public against uneducated individuals providing services that  could harm members of the public, I am concerned to see that microdermabrasion, glycolic, alpha and beta hydroxy peels will be included in a license that costs an extra $11,000.  For the school owners that proposed this regulation to categorize these services with the medical grade services of  Jessner peels, TCA peels, and laser treatments makes me wonder if they truly understand what is being taught at their schools.  Even more alarming is that individuals that are on the board and who proposed this new regulation are the same individuals that will make a fortune off of these services as they are the school owners. 

The public can purchase glycolic, alpha and beta hydroxy products off of the shelves in CVS and a home microderm kit from Rite Aid.  As the regulation is written, as a technician with 600 hours of schooling plus experience, I would be able to perform a microdermabrasion on my longstanding guests on one day and the next day after the law is put in effect, I would not be able to provide her microderm services unless I chose to pay a school additional monies for their certificates?  Unless I chose to give one of the schools an additional $11,000, I would have to inform my long term guests that I was no longer able to provide these services because we missed a deadline unknown to us when we started school (the deadline being, I should have started school earlier).  Who is this law really helping?  As written it is not protecting the public but financially assisting the esthetics schools.

I propose the following:

- there should be licensing for estheticians, 600 hours without question

- glycolic, alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy and microderm should be part of the basic license

- laser treatments, medical microdermabrasion, TCA and Jessner peels should require more schooling and additional licensing

- anyone who will receive a financial benefit from this new law should remove themselves from the lawmaking process.  It is unethical and a conflict of interest.

Even if those of us with 3 years of experience were to apply to be grandfathered to receive a masters license, we have never performed these advanced medical services so either we will be given a license to perform TCA and Jessner peels that we have never learned or performed or we will have to pay the schools some amount of money to receive credit hours so that we may receive our master's license. 

Thank you for your time.

We have a deep concern for the consideration of categorizing Microdermabrasion and Glycolic Services as a medical grade offering that would require additional schooling.  It unfortunately seems as a great way for the schools to make additional money that clearly is not necessary, and long term they will be on the only ones truely benefiting from this change.  Those of us who have been providing these services to our guests already, will be deeply effected.  It will portray us as less than trustworthy in the services that we provide or as if what we had provided our guests in the past was not an adequate service. In the world of today where you can buy glycolics and microderm kits at your local Wal-mart, it makes no sense not to allow a liscened professional to provide these services in a safe controlled environment.  Clearly some services should only be performed by those with extensive training and a higher level of liscensing, but these two services are not the ones.  We have not experienced complications performing these services, and only allow those who are properly trained to even be capable to offering them to our guests.  Please reconsider this change to the law.

As an esthetician, it makes no sense to me to take away the microdermabrasion and glycolic services.  I have been providing these services for many years and I am more than qualified to do so.  I have more experience than someone coming straight out of school, regardless of an advanced license.  Not only will this affect me financially, but it will hurt the business that I work for and my credibility as an esthetician.  I can see not valid reason for this change to take place. 

I’m writing this email because I’m very concerned on this new law that might be passed.  I’m talking about glycolic and microdermabrasion treatments.  It makes me very upset that if this new law is passed I will either go back to school which will be about $10,000.  I have been doing this treatment for 4 years now and never had a problem.  My income depends on these treatments.  All the training and classes I have taken should be taken into consideration, and I have been trained on these two treatments.  My question is why can’t we be grandfathered in?

 

Mayulee Nelson, Esthetician

Red Door Spas

Fairfax Corner

4210 Fairfax Corner West Ave.

Fairfax, VA  22030

703.968.2922

FYI the law has already changed (see end of comment).  The public comment is for proposed regulations.

Comment: Waiver of Examinaiton should be

VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-700 through 54.1-703 and 54.1-704.1 through 54.1-706 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-703.3, relating to the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; Board for Barbers and Cosmetology; regulation of estheticians.

[H 2510] Approved

"Esthetician" means a person who engages in the practice of esthetics for compensation.

"Esthetics" includes, but is not limited to, the following practices of administering cosmetic treatments to enhance or improve the appearance of the skin: cleansing, toning, performing effleurage or other related movements, stimulating, exfoliating, or performing any other similar procedure on the skin of the human body or scalp by means of cosmetic preparations, treatments, any nonlaser device, electrical, mechanical, or manual, for care of the skin; applying make-up or eyelashes to any person, tinting or perming eyelashes and eyebrows, and lightening hair on the body except the scalp; and removing unwanted hair from the body of any person by the use of tweezing, chemical, or mechanical means. However, "esthetics" is not a healing art and shall not include any practice, activity, or treatment that constitutes the practice of medicine, osteopathic medicine, or chiropractic. The terms "healing arts," "practice of medicine," "practice of osteopathic medicine," and "practice of chiropractic" shall mean the same as those terms are defined in § 54.1-2900.

"Esthetics instructor" means a licensed esthetician who has been certified by the Board as having completed an approved curriculum and who meets the competency standards of the Board as an instructor of esthetics.

"Esthetics spa" means any commercial establishment, residence, vehicle, or other establishment, place, or event wherein esthetics is offered or practiced on a regular basis for compensation under regulations of the Board.

"Master esthetician" means a licensed esthetician who, in addition to the practice of esthetics, offers to the public for compensation, without the use of laser technology, lymphatic drainage, chemical exfoliation, or microdermabrasion, and who has met such additional requirements as determined by the Board to practice lymphatic drainage, chemical exfoliation with products other than Schedules II through VI controlled substances as defined in the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.), and microdermabrasion of the epidermis.

I respectfully ask the board.

 

Individuals who are allowed an exemption through waiver of examination should only be granted this waiver when they have been performing 100% of the modalities and above all, the process should be a VERY closely monitored. The board should develop a very strict process by which the application for waiver of examination is reviewed, conducted and approved. 

 

In a previous comment: “Even if those of us with 3 years of experience were to apply to be grandfathered to receive a masters license, we have never performed these advanced medical services so either we will be given a license to perform TCA and Jessner peels that we have never learned or performed or we will have to pay the schools some amount of money to receive credit hours so that we may receive our master's license.” says it all. 

 

Close scrutiny should be practiced to ensure individuals like the one who left the aforementioned comment should not be grandfathered in.   

 

The individuals who have attended “training approved by the board” should be allowed to perform these services not those who are allowed to slide by.

 

Licensed Estheticians who are serious and well educated should not have to suffer because of untrained individuals slipping through the cracks.  Public safety will therefore be compromised. 

18 VAC 41-70-20 (B)(1) requires a student to have attended a school approved by the Virginia Board of Education before being eligible to seat for licensure.  The Virginia Board of Education no longer regulates esthetic postsecondary institutions.  The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) was transfered regulatory authority as of 7/1/04.  Please change the language in this section to require the student to have completed their instruction at a school certified to operate by SCHEV.

We have found that some esthetic postsecondary institutions have elected to allow their certificate to operate expire, informing SCHEV that they are no longer offering instruction.  If these schools are continuing to operate, they are in violation of 23-276.12 of the Code of Virginia and any degree, diploma, certificate, program or course of study offered by the school after its reported closure, shall be punishable as a class 1 misdemeanor.

I hope that the Board of Barbers & Cosmotelogy will confirm the schools certification prior to approval of its graduates.  I can be contacted at lindawoodley@schev.edu.

My concern is that by requiring an additional 600 hours  for a Master Aesthetician license the state will be making it impossible  and too limiting for aestheticians to earn a living.  It will force many experienced and educated aestheticians to spend thousands of dollars only to do what they have already been doing.  I also feel that the state can not guarantee a good education.  I and many other aestheticians in this state have had to seek education in other states because there are simply few quality schools in Virginia.   The only one really benefiting from these changes are  the up and coming schools that will be making money off of our tuition.  I feel that requiring 600 hours for a basic aesthetician license is a step in the right direction but lets take it one step at a time. 

I attended both a 600/600 hour (basic/master) esthetics program and a 300/300 hour program, both in Virginia.  I can honestly say that I learned more from the 300/300 hour program, their quality of education far surpassed the quality in the 600/600 hour program, in half the time and at more than half the cost.  The 600/600 hour school seemed more concerned with making money, not only through tuition but also by requiring students to bring in many clients and charging them a good deal of money for the services.  The only reason I attended the 600/600 hour program was because the owner was on the esthetics board and lead me to believe that the esthetics licensure would be approved for 600 basic/600 master.  I also agree with the other comments about school owners, who stand to benefit most from the 600/600 hour licensure, being a conflict of interest.  I agree that the state of Virginia needs esthetics regulations, but to go from having no licensure to one of the toughest in the nation is far too dramatic of a leap.  I believe that if schools are providing 'quality' education then a 300 hour basic and a 300 hour master program would be sufficient, as most states surrounding Virginia require a total of 600 hours to perform all esthetic functions, including chemical peels and microdermabrasion.

The state really needs to consider who is pusing the master aesthetician license.  It is the owners of the schools.  A master aesthetician license will only hurt the current aestheticians.  We will be unable to do our job that we are more then qualified to do.  We won't be able to afford to go back to school for 600 hours and we will not be able to get a good education if we do.  Aestheticians won't have the option of going out of state for quality education because no other neighboring states even offer such programs.  The only one benefiting from this extra 600 hours are the school owners who will be gaining an average $6,000 from both current aestheticians that don't leave the field or move to other states to work, or new students.  Let the new licensure weed out the uneducated estheticians but do not let this hurt the educated, qualified, hard working idividuals that practice safe skincare.  Don't let these new school owners win. 

Also I would like to point out that most spas in the area will suffer too when the aestheticians will have to cut out half the services they can do if this law gets passed.   

The proposed hour requirements that include lymphatic training reflect the same hour and course requirements for a licensed medical practitioner to work with the lymphatic system. Proper lymphatic training obtained through continuing education overseen by a board not even closely related to esthetics and which includes extensive hours and treatments for the torso and limbs is currently offered only to Physicians, nurses, occupational, physical and massage therapists.  Crossing over into a field that includes medical training implies that the schools of cosmetology are now equipped to train students without a medical background to perform a medical technique which in many cases can only be provided with a prescription.

Requiring a master esthetician to accumulate the same number of hours as a Lymphedema Therapist with a medical background is more than just extensive, it is dangerous..  It serves as a burden to the esthetician to get properly trained, and misleads the public into thinking that the training is the same as what Lymphedema therapists with a medical background receive. There are far too many medical history factors and potential medical dangers when dealing with the torso and limbs in doing lymphatic therapies.

I propose that for skin care a basic understanding of lymphatic drainage is sufficient.  However to add the additional required hours and to claim that they are working the torso and limbs indicates that the schools are borrowing content from the more intensive lymphatic training courses open to medical professionals only.  The schools of cosmetology cannot expect to offer this aspect of training unless their own instructors are qualified in medical treatments and in particular certified in Lymphatic Instruction.  If the schools of cosmetology want to increase their hour requirements for a master esthetician they should focus on treatments within their own field, and not borrow content and hour requirements from another profession.

It is my opinion that esthetics should not cross over into massage, or physical therapy. 

Lynn Phillips CLT

Equilibrium Therapy LLC

Grandfathering

I have many concerns in regard to the proposed esthetics regulations, especially in regard to protecting the clinicians currently in the workforce. There are many skilled estheticians in Virginia who are performing treatments at the level of master esthetician. An esthetician should not be denied a master license because an element might be missing from their education and/or work experience as stated in the definition of a "master esthetician." These proposed regulations will hurt many clinicians who have worked very hard to open a business, build a clientele and earn a living.

Spa License 18 VAC 41-70-80

What is the definition of a spa? If the esthetics facility is a single entity with no other employees and does not offer spa services (i.e., hydrotherapy, body treatments, etc. that are traditionally performed by "spas,") how will they be classified? Why should a single esthetic practitioner have to pay a "spa" fee since they are already required to have a license (plus a fee) to practice?

Prorating of Fees

If someone opens a spa in the last quarter of a cycle, their fee should be pro rated. Otherwise, the licensee will have to pay full fees twice within months of establishing their business.

Instructor License

At present there is only a handful of schools that offer the master esthetics program. If schools are not presently offering a master program, there will be a shortage of instructors available to teach the master curriculum. These school instructors will see themselves having to go to those schools that currently offer the programs. How will this be addressed?

Part V – Esthetics Schools

School Curriculums

The curriculum as stated in the May 1st draft will seriously hurt many estheticians, spas/salons and schools if these regulations are adopted at 1200 hours beginning July 1, 2007. I am for two-tier licensure and 1200 hours but feel strongly that 1200 hours should be our ultimate goal and not our starting goal. Many states are in the process of increasing their hours but have done so incrementally over many years. With Virginia having had no regulations and to start with 1200 hours will cause a hardship to those with less than 1200 hours and severely impact their right to work. If these proposed regulations are implemented, many spas, salons, and independent skin care businesses may have to close their doors. I am sure this is something the Board wants to avoid.

All schools should be allowed to offer the master esthetician program in modules to allow estheticians currently in the workforce the ability to obtain their master licence. Estheticians who are currently working will find it difficult to go back to school. There are a few schools that are prepared to offer the modules and these charge exorbitant fees.

My recommendation for establishing hours is as follows:

July 1, 2007 Basic Esthetician Licensure – 400

                    Master Esthetician Licensure – 300

July 1, 2009 Basic Esthetician Licensure – 600

                    Master Esthetician Licensure – 300

July 1, 2011 Basic Esthetician Licensure – 600

                    Master Esthetician Licensure – 600

The curriculums as stated in the proposed draft are too specific and should be written globally. Writing in too many specifics (i.e., equipment to be used, types of chemical peels and microdermabrasion crystals to be taught) should be left to the individual schools. Products and equipment vary and schools should decide which to choose as long as adequate theory and practical hours are taught. Many schools may wish to approach a topic as theory knowledge (i.e., dermaplanning) versus having actual practical sessions to reduce their liability and insurance costs.

Continuing Education

There was no mention of continuing education in the proposed regulations. The esthetics industry is growing at a rapid pace and it should be mandatory that estheticians keep their skills at top level.

As an educator of Estheticians for over 6 years, I should like to address the new VA regulations.  While I am in favor of a good basic program (500-600 hours), I feel it is unjust to expect students to do a further 600 hours for a Master program.  As is currently outlined in draft, an esthetician who would like to practice, ie: Microdermabrasion, would be required to do a full 600 hour program, learning techniques that he/she may not want to include in his/her practice.  This, surely, is unjust, not to mention expensive and time prohibitive for the majority of students.  In fact, it would seem the only people to benefit from such a program would be the people offering a 1200 program.  Also, has the board considered those therapists who are currently offering a few, but not all, of these services?  Are they, too, going to be expected to do a further 600 hours of study?  In fact how are those currently practicing to be grandfathered in?  Moreover, I have read nothing on how the board proposes to grandfather in those who have completed Esthetician training in another country.  It is my view that such a Master's program, as now drafted, would not only negatively affect students' prospects, but would also cause problems of enforcement for the board.

I feel that students would be better served  by allowing them the right to choose the fields of expertise they wish to pursue, and that these adjuncts to their basic training be offered in modular form, with a certain amount of hours fulfilled in practical application.  Moreover, the draft as it now stands, crosses lines into other professions.  For example, manual lymph drainage for the esthetician should be confined to the chest and face.  Whole body manual lymph drainage is infringing on the profession of Massage Therapist.

While I congratulate the board in trying to regulate the profession of Esthetician, it is my belief that in some cases it has been misinformed by persons who only have their own interests at heart.  Therefore, I ask that the board reconsider the 600 hour Master program and, instead, offer continuing education units (already in place for Massage Therapists) in the various disciplines in modular form.

Respectfully,

As stated in a prior public comment meeting, I do not believe that a 1200 hour program is necessary for a number of reasons.  First, every state surrounding the commonwealth has a 600 hour program, and I believe that is all that is necessary for Virginians.  A total of 600 hours for both levels is sufficient. I personally feel that a break down of 400 hours for Aesthetician and 200 additional hours for Master is sufficient.  However, I do believe that education is important, and would like to propose an elective CIDESCO program for those who would like to further their education with a more prestigious title.  Second, a 1200 hour course would cause undue financial hardship on many.  As an example, I referred seven students to one school when the rate was $3,300 and was told that all but a few had to drop out due to lack of funds to complete their education.    

 

I would like to see the schools truly give better education and be under close scrutiny to ensure that they are delivering the quality of education that the aestheticians and public deserve.  Continuing education and the grandfathering clause need to be addressed.  There is a great amount of concern from aestheticians currently practicing in advanced modalities whether they will be allowed to continue to do so without going back to school and spending more time and money to achieve what they already have accomplished.

 Section 6 lymphatic drainage is also a concern.  To assume that an aesthetician should be able to do full body lymphatic drainage is a serious mistake.  The regulations should be rewritten to limit the aesthetician to the use of a gentle lymphatic drainage method to the face and neck with proper contraindication training.  We need to clearly spell out the difference between working on someone for wellness (i.e. clarifying the skin) versus working on someone with an illness, post cancer or invasive surgical support (i.e. lymph node removal – part of the lymph system).  We also need to specifically ensure that aestheticians can not provide lymph compression wraps.

 

The goal of the school should be to give a good quality education.  I see many schools trying to compete with spas by offering services for fees.  I also see some schools competing in the sales arena by capitalizing on selling equipment from their locations....some of which have underhandedly gone around sales reps to achieve their self-serving objectives...unfortunately, a representative from one of these schools is a board panel member.  The control tactics and politics have been unreal.  It is amazing to what lengths some people will go to "win" and achieve their own self-serving interests.  Furthermore, I see A LOT of schools, spas and medical offices that are filthy!  It is appalling.  Sanitation needs to be addressed and enforced.  Excellence must be modeled in the schools.

 

A more detailed letter has been sent via certified mail.

 

Thank you,

 

Cathie Hilton

 

 

I think that a two tiered 600 hours (300 each tier) is sufficient to achieve our objectives.  I have not heard one person say that they agree with the 1200 hour proposed regulation.  Surely these voices are being heard...if not, why not?

 

 

The additional 600 for a master aesthetician license will only hurt current aestheticians.  I feel the 600 hour requirement is a wonderful idea for the state of  Virginia and it will weed out the people who practice unsafe aesthetics with little to no education.  The truth is that there are many good aesthticians in the state of VA and many that have worked hard to build a business and clientel.  This clientel will be lost and incomes will drop if we can not do most of our treatments that will be require a master aesthetics license.  I myself will not be able to do most of the treatments that I currently offer to my own clientel.  I was educated by one of the best schools Von Lee International School of Aesthetics in Baltimore Maryland.  I am good at what I do and have a loyal clientel.  I stay up to  date on changing technology and continue my education.  I do not feel that the current schools are experienced and have the knowledge to teach a quality education.  I have had experience with one school that is pushing for the master aesthetics program and was very dissapointed.  Many of my own clients have come to me with dissapointment after being former clients of another schools president.   If many of my own clients are a leaving with bad reviews will we be getting a quality education?  What standards will be set?  Aestheticians will not have a  choice to  go to a well known school out of state.

We as aestheticians will only lose.  We will lose clients, we will lose money, we will lose a chance to get a quality education and we eventually lose our careers.  The presidents of the schools will be the only ones who will gain when they collect $10,000 from each new student. 

 

 

260 Hours Florida 350 Hours Alaska 300 Hours Delaware Massachusetts Pennsylvania 400 Hours Michigan 500 Hours Oregon South Carolina Wisconsin 550 Hours Colorado

600 Hours Arizona Arkansas California District of Columbia Hawaii Idaho Iowa Maine Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Rhode Island Texas Utah (Basic License) Vermont Washington West Virginia Wyoming

1200 Hours Virginia 1200 Hours Alabama Utah (Master License) 1000 Hours Georgia Kentucky Puerto Rico -- (Must be cosmetologist) 750 Hours Louisiana South Dakota Tennessee 700 Hours Indiana 650 Hours Kansas Montana

 

The chart above was listed on an Esthetic Board Members website.  Please note it lists Virginia as requiring 1200 hours. I was not aware that the number of hours has been offically decided, but maybe this board member has decided for the rest of us. 

 

If you are a practicing Esthetician, then you are obtaining continuing education hours by attending Conferences, Additional Classes (held by Master Estheticians), Experience with current clientele and so on. We have "trained" ourselves to feel confident in the treatments that we do by putting forth our passion towards our clients, while using the basics of our schooling and as listed above our continued education.

 In Conclusion...

I don't think that stuffing us into a room with another text book for 600 hours is the answer!

Forcing us to go back to school to do what we are already doing is absolutly wrong.  As a licensed aesthetician with a great education (that I had to get out of state) I will not be able to do most of the treatments that I currently do.  If you think this will not effect you please go and check most of the products that you use.  I am sure there are many that have a percentage over what the state is going to regulate.  Maybe it's not a medical grade peel but that doesn't matter the state is going to tell you that you cannot use it unless you go back to school spend $10000 on 600 more hours to learn what you already know.  This is crazy.  We won't be able to afford to go back to school because we won't have an income.  The only people who will be gaining from this is the people pushing for it.  The schools.  Where were these schools ten years ago when there weren't any regulations and aestheticians had to go out of state to get a quality education.  The state cannot do this at this point.  Don't go from 0-60 in once seconed.  Please let's stand up for our career and our futures as aestheticians and keep it at 600 hours.  If the the master aesthetics license is approved I will be forced to take my knowledge and business out of the state of Virginia.