Cosmetology and Barber Board outlines licensing volumes, inspection workload and modest budget request

The Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board presented its biennial budget request and described steady licensing and inspection workloads to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

"The board plays a vital role in supporting industry professionals and ensuring compliance with infection control and safety standards," Executive Director Lori Pearson said. She reported that in FY 2024 the board issued roughly 25,000 practicing and independent contractor licenses, approximately 4,800 boutique service registrations, about 16,000 salon and shop licenses and roughly 1,400 tanning facility permits. The board also administered about 16,000 examinations that year.

Pearson said the board’s recommended spending authority is $5,523,000 for FY 2026 and $5,000,841 for FY 2027. She noted the board is largely self‑sustaining through fees and that revenue and expenditures fluctuate because a majority of license renewals occur in odd‑numbered years. The board reported completing more than 16,000 facility inspections in FY 2024 and receiving 1,346 complaints.

Pearson told senators that recent legislative changes allowed reductions in certain administrative hearing and postage costs and that the board adjusted barbering licensure fees to align with cosmetology fees. She said the board licenses four types of training schools (private, career technical, adult education and corrections programs) and that licensing revenue supports board operations and a related fund.

Senators had no follow‑up questions at the hearing and took no immediate action.