Board of Electrology recommends approval for Illinois Dedicated Electrology Academy program

Board of Electrology acting chair Dr. Solca said the board would consider a recommendation on the Illinois Dedicated Electrology Academy’s program after Department of Public Health staff described the curriculum and cross‑state training arrangements.

The board recommended approval of the program after Department of Public Health staff said the course includes 205 hours of online theory and 400 hours of in‑person clinical training for Connecticut applicants and that any laser content is presented as theory only so students can explain differences between laser and electrolysis.

Debbie Brown of the Department of Public Health told the board the program director, identified in the materials as Miss Stapleton, described a limited “laser theory” unit intended to help students explain the difference between laser and electrolysis to clients, not to authorize students to practice with lasers. Brown said she had written communication from the program confirming the laser content is theoretical: "what I do have in writing is is the communication I have from her, regarding the fact that it's just theory, only that they're just going over what laser is so that they know the difference between laser and electrolysis." The transcript indicates Miss Stapleton was not present at the meeting.

Board members raised two principal concerns during discussion. Arlene expressed uncertainty about whether the program’s hours matched Connecticut requirements and said that discrepancy could affect approval. Brown provided a detailed breakdown included in the packet: for Connecticut applicants the program lists 205 hours of theory (delivered online) and 400 hours of clinical practice completed in Illinois. Brown summarized the clinical-hour breakdown she received from the program: 45 hours for legs (including bikini area), 45 hours for arms (including underarms), 150 hours for face, 60 hours for chest and back, 30 hours for sterilization and sanitation, 40 hours for consultations, 30 hours allocated to set up and cleanup and 30 minutes between clients; the packet labeled these documents "breakdown of theory hours" and "breakdown of practical hours." Brown also said the program listed program costs for Connecticut applicants as $2,205 for the theory portion and $400 for the clinical portion.

Board member Jan O'Neil asked that the program put the laser limitation in writing so Connecticut applicants would be notified in advance and the board would not need to pursue grievances later. Jan O'Neil told the group: "it has to be in writing because we don't wanna have to send them to grievance after and then say the school hasn't, notified them of that." Brown said she had the program’s written confirmation that the laser instruction is theory only and that Connecticut electrologists are not authorized to use lasers; she also said the program indicated Illinois likewise does not authorize electrologists to practice with lasers.

After the discussion, acting chair Dr. Solca called for approval and the board members present voiced assent. The transcript does not record a formal motion text, mover, seconder, or a roll‑call vote but captures verbal approvals by members present; the record shows the board issued a recommendation to approve the program as presented and documented.

Why this matters: the recommendation affects training and licensure paths for electrology students who live or plan to work in Connecticut and Illinois. The board’s request for written confirmation that laser content is theory-only seeks to reduce later licensing or grievance disputes when trainees return to jurisdictions where laser practice is restricted.

The board concluded its discussion with the acting chair thanking members; Department of Public Health staff indicated the written communication from the program was in the meeting packet and would be part of the record.