Board unanimously backs apprenticeship reforms in SB 1363, watches AB 2771 provision on proof‑of‑training

The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology held a business session on May 18, 2026 and conducted several routine and policy items, including committee and minutes approvals, operational updates, exam changes, and legislative positions.

Board business and votes: The board unanimously approved the 2026 standing committee roster after a motion by Callie Mayfam and recorded roll‑call votes (members present voted "yes"). The board also approved minutes from the Feb. 23 and April 6 meetings by unanimous roll call. Monica (clerk) called each roll vote on record.

DCA and operations: Judy Berelli of the Department of Consumer Affairs provided a brief update covering Form 700 filing reminders, the relaunch of DCA's Enforcement Academy, formation of a DCA DEI subcommittee and an upcoming state agency reorganization effective July 1 that will create the Business and Consumer Services Agency and the California Housing and Homelessness Agency.

Licensing and examinations: Staff reported operational metrics (the board issued 7,718 licenses in the third quarter; the total license population is roughly 669,894) and described a change to renewal mailings (postcard reminders to encourage online renewals). The psychometric testing vendor PSI updated exam content effective April 1; cut scores were recalibrated (for example, cosmetologist cut score moved from 73% to 70 and barber from 70 to 66) and staff said they will post candidate information bulletins for schools and applicants.

Legislation: The board reviewed AB 2771 (BPPE sunset bill) and flagged a provision that would prohibit withholding documentation required under Title 16 (including proof of training) as a debt‑collection tool; staff recommended and the board took a watch position on AB 2771's POT language. Fred Jones of the Professional Beauty Federation of California later told the board he shared the watch concern, warning that restrictions on withholding records could complicate how schools manage unpaid tuition and noting broader federal Title IV changes that may affect trade‑school financing.

SB 1363 — apprenticeship reforms: The board heard an extensive briefing on SB 1363, the board's sunset/clean‑up bill, which extends the board through 2031 and includes multiple apprenticeship program reforms: it narrows which local education agencies (LEAs) may be associated with a sponsor, prohibits franchising of approvals, requires sponsor renewal and fees, clarifies enforcement authority and allows the board to seek revocation/suspension of program approvals through the Attorney General's process. Staff described the measure as a significant tool to reduce fraud and improve monitoring; "this is one of our most successful bills we've gotten," a staff member said, noting the bill's progress through Senate committees. Board member Fam moved that the board take a support position on SB 1363; a roll call recorded unanimous 'yes' votes by members present (the motion passed).

Public comment: Industry representatives praised the apprenticeship reforms and urged vigilance on AB 2771's POT language. The board also asked staff to return with briefings on federal workforce grant and Title IV changes that could affect cosmetology and barber schools.

Why it matters: SB 1363 creates new oversight, renewal and fee tools the board can use to regulate apprenticeship sponsors and LEAs and to curtail abusive or fraudulent programs; exam and renewal changes affect thousands of licensees and schools across California.

Next steps: Staff will monitor AB 2771 and work on regulation and implementation planning for SB 1363 if it becomes law; the board's support position was logged and will be communicated to legislators and stakeholders as appropriate.