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TDLR advisory board recommends package of curriculum, distance-learning and licensure edits under HB 1560
Summary
After hearing public comment from schools and trade groups, the TDLR Barbering and Cosmetology Advisory Board voted to recommend adoption of rule edits that keep harmonized licensure without adding a new high‑school‑diploma requirement, allow blended theory/practice hours, raise the distance‑learning cap to 50% for theory hours delivered remotely, permit a combined curriculum option for both licenses, and increase the hair‑weaving/esthetician combined program to 900 hours.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's (TDLR) Barbering and Cosmetology Advisory Board recommended adoption of a set of changes to draft rules implementing House Bill 1560 after a daylong virtual session and public comment from schools and trade groups.
Assistant general counsel Derek Burkhalter walked the board through the draft text and 70 written public comments that focused on three main subjects: how the proposed 1,000‑hour curriculum divides theory and practice, limits on distance education, and whether the merged standards should add a high‑school‑diploma or equivalent requirement for some licenses.
Public commenters representing schools and national associations urged flexibility. Brandon Martin, owner of Avenue 5 Institute, said the draft "remove[d] that discretion" for schools to allocate extra theory or practice hours when students need additional preparation. Karina Santoro, vice president of product at Milady, warned the draft could "impose unnecessary restrictions on schools by defining the full scope of the thousand hours while leaving out some critical topics."
Board action focused on staff proposals and several member motions. The advisory board voted not to add a new education prerequisite requiring a…
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