The State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology heard a petition Aug. 6 from Keying (Eying) Elmer seeking reinstatement of her revoked cosmetologist license.

Keying Elmer testified through a registered Hmong interpreter, Matt Marchetti, that she did not physically assault an inspector during a 2019 inspection. She acknowledged being present during the inspection and said she later completed sanitation and anger-management courses. Elmer told the board she has not worked regularly as a licensed cosmetologist since her husband died but asked for reinstatement because she needs to return to work to support herself.

Deputy Attorney General Caitlin Dougherty summarized Elmer’s licensing and disciplinary history: citations issued to the establishment and to Elmer, an administrative hearing finding that she interfered with an inspector, and a board decision in 2021 revoking the license and ordering costs of $11,667.50. The board denied a 2021 petition for reconsideration and later denied a 2024 reinstatement petition; Elmer filed a new petition in June 2025.

Elmer submitted a security-camera video with her petition. The board displayed the footage; Elmer said the recording demonstrates that she did not grab or pull the inspector and that any touching was “a light touch.” The board admitted the petition packet and Attachment 2 as administrative hearsay by agreement; it also admitted the video into the record. Elmer’s daughter, Elora Elmer, testified the daughter and siblings are assisting the petitioner with rehabilitation, training in native language, and payment planning; the daughter said the establishment’s most recent inspection was allowed and completed.

Board members questioned Elmer about the dates, whether she understood the discipline applied to her personal license, her sanitation coursework and anger-management certification, and how she would behave if inspectors return. Elmer said she would allow inspections and comply with probation and restitution requirements. The board did not decide the petition; the administrative law judge closed the record and said the board would consider the evidence in closed session and issue a written decision by mail.