Board flags widespread problems in apprenticeship programs, recommends reforms for 2026 sunset report

The California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology on May 19, 2025, focused an extended portion of its meeting on the status of cosmetology and barbering apprenticeship programs, reporting widespread problems and directing staff to pursue reforms in the board’s 2026 sunset review.

Executive Officer Christy Underwood told the board that investigators interviewed 115 apprentices and found significant payments and inconsistent program practices across sponsors. "Board staff spoke to 115 apprentices and found 25 apprentices, stated that they've paid 2,500 to 2,800; 7 apprentices stated they pay 3 to 3,500; ... 3 stated they paid $10,000; 2 apprentices stated they paid $15,000 for tuition to an apprenticeship program sponsor," Underwood said in the record. The board said those payments conflict with the apprenticeship model of "earn while you learn" and that many apprentices reported being paid by commission or not paid at all.

Staff described several recurring problems: low exam-application and pass rates among apprentices, training facilities that operate as independent businesses while using a sponsor’s approval (what staff characterized as "franchising" the sponsor approval), apprentices left unsupervised on clinic floors, and lack of consistent oversight by other agencies. Underwood noted the board’s enforcement team and licensing staff had devoted substantial work hours to investigating the issues.

Board members and public commenters stressed the program’s potential value, and multiple members proposed keeping apprenticeship as a pathway if the board could obtain stronger oversight and clearer rules. Committee chair Danielle Muñoz said the Enforcement and Inspections Committee supported staff’s proposed changes and that staff would prepare regulatory language for the board’s consideration. Members suggested forming a task force with program sponsors that are doing work "the right way" to craft concrete statutory fixes.

Staff put forward a draft set of recommended reforms to include in the board’s 2026 sunset report. Proposed steps included requiring apprentices to be employees earning at least the applicable minimum wage (no booth‑rental arrangements for apprentices), prohibiting program sponsors from charging tuition beyond modest kit/textbook fees, creating a one‑time approval plus periodic renewal (and fees) for program sponsors, clarifying the board’s authority to discipline sponsors, and requiring better onboarding and written apprenticeship agreements for each apprentice. Staff also flagged state and federal funding flows (WIOA and other grants) that may be used by sponsors and described instances where LEAs were invoiced for training hours for individuals who did not appear to have valid apprentice registrations.

Public commenters included current apprenticeship sponsors and barbers who described successful models and volunteered to join a task force. Board members agreed to add apprenticeship reform proposals to the sunset report and to convene a working group that will help draft legislative language for consideration in the next legislative cycle.

Why it matters: Apprenticeship programs affect workforce development, public safety and consumer protection. The board’s recommended reforms would change how programs are approved, funded and monitored and could require legislative changes to strengthen the board’s enforcement authority.

What’s next: Staff will include the recommendations and supporting data in the board’s draft sunset report for further review; the board signaled support for a task force to develop specific statutory language and implementation details.