Committee advances bill to remove licensing requirement for makeup artists

The House Business Committee voted Feb. 17 to send House Bill 121 to the House floor with a do-pass recommendation, a measure that would eliminate the state licensure requirement for makeup artists.

Sponsor Representative Jeff Ehlers said the license was established in 2018 and currently covers a small number of registrants. “Currently there's only 36 licenses,” Ehlers told the committee. He said the bill would not bar makeup artists from practicing; it would remove the requirement that they hold the state license.

Members asked whether public-health or safety issues had arisen. Representative Barbieri asked whether complaints had prompted the original licensure; Ehlers and other committee members said they had not found consumer complaints. "If you look in the line about complaints in the last 5 years, there have been none," Ehlers said, citing Department of Professional Licensing material.

Legislators also discussed overlaps with cosmetology and barber licensure. Representative Wheeler sought clarification whether activities such as hairstyling or hair services would be affected; Representative Veil (responding for DOPL) said barbers and cosmetologists would remain licensed and that the change applies to makeup artists specifically. Committee members asked about eyelashes and permanent makeup; DOPL representatives said eyelash application does not fall under the makeup-artist definition and that permanent makeup (tattooing) is not covered by this provision; Idaho does not require a license for tattoo artists, a committee member noted.

Representative Wheeler moved to send House Bill 121 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation; the motion carried by voice vote.

Supporters framed the bill as deregulation to expand opportunity for people practicing makeup artistry; opponents raised questions about safety where procedures touch sensitive areas such as the eye. The record shows the committee advanced the bill to the House floor.