I received this notice in my email and I cannot find anything in any of the links to give me a clue as to "what" is being altered or reveiwed or if it will have any impact on my current license.

Very bizzare that I have been a licensed cosmetologist since 1980 and have never seen a state inspector. Then out of the blue....an inspector calls and sets up an appointment. come on after thirty two years!!!  what is going on?  also I would like to address the renewal fees which almost tripled... what in the world???  In the economic distress that we already encounter in this day and time who thought it necessary to almost triple our license renewal fee? I am just a little  overwhelmed and confused. maybe someone can enlighten me or at least inform me of what is going on... Thnx

Type So why or what is the regulatory action !what are you going to change and why ?Va. keeps on raiseing taxes why not have inspections boy are they needed I know I could shut down some doors and raise some money just by inforceing the laws that are out their.HEALTH  theats do you even know how many razors are used in peds, alot ,inforce the laws that are their But why not tell us what you are talking about, cant find the info.Thanks for the infomation.

I have been living in another state and have not practiced for several years.  i do not plan to renew my license. Therefore, no regulatory action is needed.

I like to keep my license up to date just in case I need it... but I haven't worked in years...so I have noooo earthly idea what this "Action" of sorts has to do with me since I always renew on time and without fail...Somebody care to enlighten me????......Hello?????...............I'm waiting.........??????????......Stilll waiting.........................?????????????

 why is there no information as to what this is about? If it affects us why aren't we being informed as to what this Regulatory Action is so we may have a say?

I have had my Virginia license since 1998 just in case; I have always renewed on time and have never had a citation or complaint. So when I received this notice I was a bit confused.

I am not a Hair Dresser. I am a Nail Tech. How will this effect me? 

SO WHAT DOES THIS SUPPOSE TO MEAN FOR PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE CURRENT LICENSE?? AND HAVE HAD THEM FOR MANY YEARS????? THANX

 I AM BARBARA L. HENSLEY AND I HAVE BEEN A COSMETOLOGIST SINCE 1969. THAT IS HAVING A LICENSE THAT SAYS I UNDERSTAND AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE INDUSTRY WHICH IS SANITATION. IF I AM CORRECT IN UNDERSTANDING THIS CHANGE YOU ARE SAYING NO ONE WILL NEED A LICENSE TO WORK IN A SALON. I HAVE HAD A COSMETOLOY SCHOOL FOR MANY YEARS AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT NEW PEOPLE TRAINIING FOR THIS NO NOTHING ABOUT SANITATION AND THIS WILL OPEN A HUGE CAN OF WORMS. WOULD EITHER OF YOU WANT TO HAVE A SERVICE IN A SALON FROM SOMEONE THAT HAS HAD NO TRAINING. MANY STUDENTS COME IN AND HAVEN'T A CLUE WHAT THEY NEED TO LEARN BUT ARE DEPENDING ON A SCHOOL TO TEACH THEM EVERYTHING IN ORDER TO BE EMPLOYED IN A GOOD SALON. MANY SALONS WOULD STOP HIRING ANYONE. I DOUBT THAT ANY SALON COULD GET INSURANCE IF NO ONE WAS LICENSED. WHAT ON EARTH IS THE STATE THINKING ANYWAY. I WOULD BE DISSAPOINTED TO KNOW I LIVE IN A STATE THAT HAS NO REGARD FOR THE PUBLIC. PLEASE RESPOND. THANK YOU

As I understand this NOIRA you are proposing to do a detailed review of the regulations of the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology.   The revision of the regulations that grandfathered in and established the Master Estheticians License and now requires a detailed testing if one is to obtain that certification places an unnecessary and heavy financial burden on the estheticians who for one reason or another were unable to provide the required documentation on time to receive their Master certification. I am one of those. Now in order for me to receive a Master Certification, I must attend a basic program of instruction costing thousands of dollars which I do not have, not to mention months of time which I also do not havel.  I have been in this business for more than 35 years and have more experience that many of the estheticians that have been certified as Master and still do not know the basics of the profession let alone the basics of the treatments they provide. Several came tome for information on how to do things they should have learned or experienced in order to have received the Masters Certification.  I have even heard  some have been Certified bought their hours and never attended training.  I personally know of several estheticians who have done skin all their careers but because they were out of the area when the regulations changed are no longer allowed to do skin even though that was their specialty areas.  Something is very wrong with regulations that prevent people from earning a living at what they have been trained to do all their lives but were unable to get their licenses before the cutoff period.  There is also something wrong with regulations that do not require practical testing before awarding a Master esthetician license and then following up with annual professional development to ensure that the latest treatments are being used. We are dealing with the safety of the public here.

Since 2002, five new licensure programs became effective.

Why? and why didn't fees from those extra programs cover their costs?

You really need to find something better to do with your time.  A clue for $50...oops!  I mean $150.

I JUST POSTED A COMMENT AND I WAS READING AS IF THE STATE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE ACTUAL LICENSE OF OUR INDUSTRY. I MAY HAVE NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD THE ACTUAL MEANING AS IT WAS NOT EASY TO UNDERSTAND. I JUST HOPE THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. IS ANYONE READING IT AS I AM!!!

The proposed amendment to the existing regulation would make the attempted obtainment of a license,
certificate, or permit by false or fraudulent representation grounds for license revocation or suspension;
denial of application, renewal or reinstatement; or imposition of a monetary penalty. The amendment is
needed to keep the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology Regulations consistent with the Board’s Tattooer
Regulations and Esthetics Regulations, which already contain the said language proposed herein.

In other words, they would like to make it more difficult to get re-instated, as well as then have more of a right to "close down" any business that they deem "not up to standards" as far as cleanlinessand sanitation.

just wondering what does all this mean to licenced hairstylist? will it cost us more to renew or a different type of proceedure to obtain and continue holding a dpor licence?

As if the economy isn't tough enough to deal with, we are looking a a fee increase. If the agency is getting too burdsome to work within its budget then maybe a reduction in the agency is appropriate. The costs should not go up based on time a rate has been in effect. at least not during the worst economic recession in 20 years. Some of us are not employed because of the lack of Jobs, however we must still pay to renew our license. Maybe this needs to be readdressed a year or two from now after a review of the operating costs of the agency

PLEASE PROVIDE A THUROUGH EXPLANTION OF THIS EMAIL/ NOTICE.

is text and enter your comments here. You are limited to approximately 3000 words.

Is this an overall action, or an action being taken against individuals?  More information/explanation, please.

I am not 100% certain, but I believe that this action simply states that they will be reviewing certain health and safety regulations to find out if they are necessary. If not they can be eliminated, ultimately reducing costs for Barbers and Cosmetologist. As with any industry, (i.e. food, and public service) there are certain safety and health codes we must follow. There are also periodical reviews of these procedures to make sure they are necessary and efficient so as not to waste resources and money if it is not necessary. Of course by doing these reviews, it can also be determined whether or not extra precautions need to be taken in certain areas in order to reduce liability for the Barber/Cosmetologist. I will read over it again to see if I can pull anything else from it.

Public health and safety should be of the greatest importance in this industry. Our customers trust that they are walking into a salon that practice what we ALL have been taught.  If you never have a caused the spread of germs it's because you were educated properly.  This is not the time to be lax on sanitation/sterilization procedures. We are professionals who have earned a license.  Doctors and nurses have their sanitation and sterilization procedures to follow. Are they next for review? Imagine what would happen then!

I don't mind the fee increase if it means the board regulating more to remove people and businesses that are dangerous to our industry. It would also force people not practicing hair to drop their license. If re-education was required, it would also help reduce risk to the public. Currently, people who are not practicing can purchase products and chemicals with their license, but they do not have the knowledge to do the service safely and are hurting the professionalism of our industry. Instead of purchasing from a salon, products that are recommended and safe, many get any old thing from someone with a license at cost. This should be reserved for those of us actively working with the appropriate knowledge. This is the problem and why there are increasing complaints and concerns surrounding the use of chemicals in our industry. Specifically, ppd reactions to color, smoothing treatments, product allergies, and other adverse reactions due to volatile chemical combinations, not to mention total disregard for sanitation. This industry should be competitive through the requirement for education and certifications to perform services, not how well you can learn from you tube, but if no one enforces it then it means nothing. 

The regulations need not be changed they need to be enforced. I have been a working, licensed Cosmetologist since 1974.  Owner and educator, I have watched the rules and regulations get more lax and the things like education and sanitation almost non existant. You have to have more licenses but no continuing education. People can get a License and never even work in the field they hold a license in but can reap the beefits of said license. Discounts on supplies one example, working out of their homes with no business license or even current skill levels.  The new cosmotologists need more training and hours, we have gone from 3000 hrs to 1000 for those who get Public School training.  It  then takes 2 full years to new licensees  where thye are even useable and most, never last in the profession even that long, but will keep the license active with out any additional training. Every  licensed profession requires addtional training to keep a license. Why not ours?  We use chemicals that can cause harm if not used properly.  Germs and disease can be spread easily. In the past Inspectors came in every now and then and did  license checks and sanitation checks. In 15 years I have seen no-one. I happened  to run a Spa where everyone held a license and sanitation was at the forefront. Yet,  I know many salons don't even know if their help is licensed and don't care. They need the help and the pickings and knowledge base is not good!  We don't need  rules that don't do anything to improve our field we need the ones we have to be enforced to clean our profession up! We need sanitation and occasional license checks. Otherwise, there is no point to the license and what we do right has no value. We live in a society where people expect licensed professionals to adhere to a higher standard. We affect peoples self- esteem and should be maintaining good sanitation practices  and skills to keep everyone safe.

Yes, can someone explain what this is about??

I am in support of maintaining (at minimum) the current safety and hygiene regulations.  As written, I don't believe they sufficiently protect public health and safety.  There are too many gray areas leaving many salons guessing about what is required.  The risk of spreading communicable bacterial/viral infections is high as a result.  For example:  a wax applicator should be limited to one dip. The applicator has the potential to come into contact with body fluid (sometimes blood).  Double Dipping contaminates the entire pot of wax.  So many salons double dip as a result of budget concerns and because wax manufacturers claim their products are "anti-microbial".  The warmer doesn't achieve a sufficient temp to kill all potential pathogens.  I can go on and on.  I'm willing to contribute other examples if you contact me using the e-mail listed.

I am also in support of implementing CE requirements to maintain licensure.  There are so many new chemicals we have access to and are using without the benefit of sufficient training.  This significantly impacts public health.  The recent introduction of Keratin Smoothing Treatments is a prime example.  Stylists have access to those chemicals, which have now been proven by OSHA and the FDA to contain harmful cancer causing chemicals.  There are so many individual licensees who no longer work in salons who continue to purchase and use chemicals without benefit of proper education and training.  Not only does this practice harm consumers, it harms the hairdressers themselves.  Again, I can comment further and share research if you need an advisor during this process.

I am in support of fee increases that will provide the state with the necessary funding to protect stylists and consumers.  I am in favor of strict enforcement and in favor of more frequent safety inspections.  For me, licensure fees are a necessary cost of doing business.

Thank you,

Crystal Rivenbark 

In reading the VA Proposed Amendment in the Regulatory Code for Barbers and Cosmetologists, it appears as though they are attempting to amend the regulations for schools of cosmetology and barbers as it pertains to the teaching of public safety, hygiene, and cleanliness.  If I am reading this correctly, it appears that they are proposing to amend the regulations  requiring greater emphasis on these areas of the teaching and  practice of cosmetology to better educate new students of cosmetology in the importance of maintaining public safety, hygiene and cleanliness, and the prevention of the spread of disease, bacteria, injury, etc.  It does not indicate anything about requiring CE courses or increasing renewal fees. 

I do not practice anymore but keep my license for future needs.  If you are going to raise the fees I will not be renewing my license when it comes due!!!  Our economy is at its worst and you want to raise ours fees plus further education you must be joking.  Seems I have wasted my money all these years.  Thanks for nothing!  Maybe, you should down size and cut your expenses like everyone else is trying to do.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology intends to consider amending 18VAC41-20, Board for Barbers and Cosmetology Rules and Regulations. The purpose of the proposed action is to amend the regulations pertaining to general entry requirements, renewal and reinstatement requirements, school requirements, and standards of practice including sanitation and safety standards; and consider other necessary changes.ype over this text and enter your comments here. You are limited to approximately 3000 words.

not sure what this email is about but from what everybody else is saying it is with the fees... the fees are already high enough they have jumped 90.00 since the last time i renewed and that is triple what it cost two years ago I payed 50.00 to renew and now I have to pay 140.00 and that is a big jump.  I have been doing hair for 22 years and the last 11 in the same business and plan on continuing to stay their.  so I will keep my license but not sure that the fees are a needed increase.

I think that more state inspections needs to be enforced at the nail salons. Although, I am not currently working as a nail tech, I have visited several nail salons and have witnessed a lot of unsanitized activity. Including, but not limited to the use of razors when doing pedicures. 

I am confused. What will happens next to my hair salon? I am a few years in the business, haven't experienced anything like this at all.

The changes are not listed in the documentation provided.  From reading the comments I am not alone in the confusion of the email received.  Please clarify and extedn the commenting period.

My position on deregulation: Don't do it. If anything a stricker guidlines should be in place.

Position on Safty inspections, they are needed, and should be implemented asap.

Approximately 1/3 of the Cosmetology Instruction Textbook subject matter pertains to Anatomy, & Sanitation.  State Boards are given. Licenses are received.  Public service industry sanitation is a constant challenge.  The skills learned in Cosmetology School are designed to permanently implant not only sanitation to protect the public but ourselves a well.  The Cosmetologist know well the super bugs are killed by Steam, Barbacide, Formaldahye, and Alcohol.  They are trained to protect themselves with face mask.  These are skills that are never forgotten. These skills are used not only at the salon/spa but at home as well.  Mandating Continuing Education for License Renewal would only add to the unemployment in VA.  Salon owners know all too well it is increasingly difficult to hire Cosmetoligist.  Cosmetologist often take a few years off from employment to have children then return to the workforce with no lapse of skills and knowledge.  Continuing Education Mandate only profits the schools profit margin. VA state schools profit margins should never be an issue in state regulation however lobbist have made it their business to influence state regulations. These lobbist site  the problems stem from the licenses issued with short time frame instruction.  The addition of mandating continued education would devert the resposibility of state libility to the public by diverting the lack of salon  inspection.  In 23 years our salon was inspected one time.   This state burden shift to license holders of responsibility is covering the states lack of enforcement officials and poor budgeting.  This is an easy budget fix but it under the veil of deception to cosmetologist.   http://www.opensecrets.org/    This website has a wealth of information.

Increase the short term instruction  and manadate instruction manuels to include the same course instruction concerning Anatomy and Sanitation as Cosmetology.  Also, mandate business management psychology to the instruction program.  This ensures these ladies and gentleman obtain the training to open their own salons/spa one day.  The 500 hours of instruction which was cut in the training reduction to accomadate the high school instruction programs deleted the business management psychology section to training. To complete the instruction program in a timely fashion less emphasis was placed on the anatomy and other important issues. Look at the statistics of the years of license renewal. This has harmed the industry of no less than 60 hour work weeks.  Adrenal stress due to the Low Thyroid is a common problem with Cosmetologist lack of employees.  To implement continuing education for license renewal would only be a counter productive solution to increasing proficiency of sanitation in salon.  Most of the sanitation problems of short term licensing instruction programs  generate poor work ethics deleted or not mandated in training.  It is very clear politics is the issue at hand not sanitation. 

We completely understand the need to increase the license fee but to increase it more than double the original fee was completely unnecessary.  If there should be any increase in fees it should be in small increments.  We talked to many Comotologist and found majority of them decided to leave the profession since the fee is too great for them to pay.

You mention that there are other programs that needs to be funded too but are those program really necessary?  Couldn't they be combined to lessen the large fee?  

Yes, we area all suffering from the economy but that doesn't mean you should drag us cosmotologist further down the dirt and then leave us hanging under the sorching sun.

The changes that you are making may be necessary. How ever, They will not impact the industry in the way that will make the industry safer or healthier economically. when new salons of any type open they submit a floor plan indicating how many work stations are at the site. And the biggest health issue affecting the industry is unlicensed people working in licensed shops for booth rent. And DPOR in ability to monitor and or render these locations unsafe. In fact the way in which you investigate complaints is unsafe. Put a tax on every chair submitted for all salons,shops nails whatever it is. So salons wont have empty chairs. It lowers the owners investment. and increases DPOR revenue per 25$ each chair when invesgators enter a location chairs mean someone with a license is working using the original blue print to determine penalties. It is Dpor responsibility to regulate the industry so that we with license profit in return unlicensed people who lower our standards and force us to have lower prices which make a increas in the fees to much to pay. You should also penalize the beauty supply stores for selling commercial grade products to the public. A definite health problem. Make it standard requirement that in order to sale our product you have to have a license in one of the industry areas. And for god sakes police the industry if you are raising prices. Stop taking money and not doing the job. I dont mind paying whatever the fees are but you guys really need to do a much better job. Because none of us is making enough money because you not closing people down who desreve to be closed and you penalizing only the ones with liscenses. thats not fair to anyone. So get it right this time. thank you Seanpaul barber braids and beauty academies.

I think Board Certified Cosmetologists should absolutely be required to complete any type of continuing education offered.  I also think, more importantly,  the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations should  mandate AND enforce a law along with a representative from every city in Virginia to bar and fine ANY INDIVIDUAL PRACTICING IN A SALON IN THIS INDUSTRY  WITHOUT A CURRENT, UP TO DATE STATE LICENSE! This practice alone would raise extra money for the State, provided the fine is followed with a collection of the money owed.  There are currently numerous individuals who practice in salons WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF LICENSURE WHO ARE OVERLOOKED DUE TO LACK OF MANPOWER IN THE FIELD and we end up having to pay for it.  If you are to enforce safety and infection control issues, you have to crawl before you walk.  Removing unlicensed individuals from current licensed salons would help with this matter.  Furthermore, the licensee's picture should appear on the license itself, just like a drivers permit, so the license cannot be switched from station to station when needed.  Safety and Infection control is one of the most important parts of any salon or school with the vast spread of the new "super bugs", so if strict codes aren't mandated and met, action should be taken and fines should be given.  Thank you.

http://www.cdc.gov/       

Above listed Centers for Disease Control is the Federal Educational Website which will issue continuing education.  Free of charge, free of missing work, and free of capitalization of schools little monies niche or if due to multiple reasons miss the class loosing your license.   Every Salon / Owner has the CDC at their access and may update their employees free of charge.  It is the salon/ spa owners responsibility to regulate and provide employees information regarding sanitation.  

The bottom line is who profits from Mandating Continuing Education.  It is not the individual who has worked hard for their license and stands the chance of loosing it.

Lobby for a National License.  Husband or Wife or significant other gets transferred to another state.  There is a work lapse before the next state will license you.  We loose many a hairdresser to this problem.  They find work in other job sectors often with more benefits because they can't afford the work lapse.  

I 2nd the lobby for a National License. I moved out of state and would like the possibility of working in my current state instead of commuting to go to work. I'm also thinking of moving down south and would love to be able to do hair there. I was told I would have to go back to school to obtain the other state's license. I refuse to pay thousands and go all the way back to the beginning doing pin curls and roller sets. That would just be crazy!

Wondering what this about? Seems like things have been fine the way they are.

Can someone please explain to me what this is about? I am new to this, I became a licensed cosmetologist last year. I would appreciate if someone would explain me this email that i recieved.  Thank you!!

Additional Reminder: 

Our Taxes fund the High School Cosmetology program.

Federal Pell Grants will help obtain funding for Private Vocational Education.

In short everytime we pay our taxes we pay for these license.

We need to protect these license and future of these families.  To Mandate Continuing Education for license renewal will only cause hardship.  This only leads to Cosmetologist working with expired license or not working at all.  Hair shows provide the updates on products and methods and sometimes sanitation.  This Combined with the Center for Disease Control is all that is necessary.

In this time of national economic crisis we should put the families and the ability to monitarily support our families first.  Never put a Cosmetologist license at risk over political handshake.

Increase the number of hours on the lower end license to include more emphasis on the sanitation, anatomy & encourage local health department to check for sanitation. Lobby for National License so no one has a break in work. 

Remember we all pay the price for political pettiness.  Message to board:

Choose your battles wisely because we all pay for the boards mistakes in the end.  Many have been made in years past. Presently we all pay the price.

Ok so I am frustrated to learn that as a Hair Stylist that has my Instructors Certification as well as a new salon owner, that next year this same time I will be sending DPOR a total of $515 not to including my additional fees of $50 for my local city business license and state business property taxes. As a small business owner I believe this is ridiculous and unfair. This is my reasoning, First I paid and complete my education in 2004, the hours required, paid to take the test, passed the test, paid for licensing for the first time and then every two years afterward and now although I passed the education requiresments of the state board, paid and passed every requiered test, now I have to pay extremely inflated prices to remain licensed and a salon owner. I just after all these years am able to get started as a salon owner and now this. Please someone help, I don't understand. I already thought it was crazy that we continue to be taxed on something we earned. I hope you consider how this will effect us as license professionals. How did this go un noticed. Why wasn't our opinion important before the fee change? I am all for contiuning education or CE requirements I do that anyway although VA don't require it but please don't increase our fees. Its wrong, just wrong. I am one individual having to pay out $515 every two years, that just don't seem fair. Please help

I am still very unclear about what the changes actually are.  Can someone explain in lamens terms (non-legal jargon) what is being change and what impact it will have stylists who are currently licensed and new salon owners.

Now is not the time to increase license renewal fees, or tag on the renewal process any hoops to jump through, jump or loose your license or to make life difficult on anyone in the America.  Does anyone have stats on how many Cosmetology licenses issued in the last ten years and of these licenses how many are still working today?  How many of these licenses completed the High School program? 

http://appropriations.senate.gov/webcasts.cfm?method=webcasts.view&id=fa6ec11f-47a9-4d14-ba30-f4f9d36c45f6%20

When  I tried to open it, it wont open

http://appropriations.senate.gov/webcasts.cfm?method=webcasts.view&id=fa6ec11f-47a9-4d14-ba30-f4f9d36c45f6%20

Cut paste the above into address bar.  

It is the boards responsibility to enforce guidelines and eliminate anyone not following the standards. If this is actually going to be done by raising fees, then go for it, but I want to see real changes!

CE is necessary to ensure safe services for new chemicals and techniques. No one ever knows it all and anyone who thinks they do, should be removed from the industry. Expecting people to do it on their own is naive.  It needs to be regulated. 

Our fees are very low even with the increases. If CE or fee increases cause a stylist to drop their license, then they must not have been working anyway, so it isn't going to make them homeless. As far as I'm concerned, the ones weeded out will make it better for the rest.  More clients for us and better retail sales. Also, that will be one less untrusting client I have to deal with because of the last bad experience from untrained individuals. 

Finally, I spend alot of time and money on my constant re-education and I am frustrated with lack of respect we receive because of how easy it is to get in and stay in our industry.

i read the form that was available at this sight what does this mean and how will it effet me there is no information on the page.

The State Board has been kind enough to open a town hall meeting.  Thank You State Board for giving us this time! 

This is our time to voice our opinion not only for today but to ensure the future of our profession.

I challenge each and everyone of you to forget about politically correct lingo or what you think the board wants to hear.  Think of your profession and the future profession awaiting young talent and adult talent awaiting to have a future for their families. 

State Board is giving us the opportunity to speak.  

What changes would you like to see made in regulations and in training, and state board exam that would ensure the student still be working as a cosmetologist 10 years or longer from the time of walking out of the state board exam? Given the state of the economy and increasing challenges facing our families we need take this time and address this question.   Many walk from the exam take their first job, quit and never work another day as a hairdresser.  Talent lost, taxes lost, and pell grant money lost.  

Internship as part of training program as few as 25 hours would give the individual a feel of profession away from classroom setting into the real world to break the transition?   Large companies use this Human Resources tool.  This is just a suggestion and an example.  Something must change.

What changes can we make? Mandatory Continued Education will not solve this problem.  

Speak!  People Speak!  We have the chance to help the board make a difference.