Cosmetology board seeks overhaul of licensure, advanced aesthetics license and fee increases

House Bill 1126, a broad rewrite of cosmetology statutes, was presented to the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee by members and staff of the State Board of Cosmetology. The board said the updates are designed to modernize definitions, create an "advanced aesthetician" license, expand apprenticeship pathways and raise fees to cover new technology and administrative costs.

Board member Maureen Warner summarized the bill for the committee, citing three full pages of changes to revise terminology, add new definitions and create a scope of practice for an advanced aesthetician license. Warner said the board serves roughly 8,000 licensees and 1,816 establishments and that the board has not raised fees since 2003. "We have not requested fee increases since 2003," Warner said, arguing that modern licensing software, data security and…