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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Finance2026-06-09

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill makes several changes to North Carolina's cosmetic art licensing requirements. It reduces training hours for cosmetologists (from 1,500 to 1,200 hours), eliminates the apprentice license category and converts existing apprentices to cosmetologists, creates a new hair designer license (900 hours) and hair braider certification (24 hours), reduces training hours for natural hair care specialists and teachers, allows mobile cosmetic art shops to operate, and reduces continuing education requirements for license renewal.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill reduces barriers to entry for cosmetology workers, particularly for natural hair care and braiding specialties that serve specific communities.
• •Lower training hour requirements and the elimination of apprenticeships allow workers to enter the field faster and more affordably.
• •Creating specialized licenses for hair braiders and designers better matches licensing to actual job duties.
• •Mobile shops increase service accessibility to underserved areas and give workers flexibility.
• •Reduced continuing education hours lower ongoing compliance costs.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may worry that reducing training hours could compromise public health and safety standards in cosmetic services.
• •Eliminating apprenticeships removes a structured pathway with direct professional supervision.
• •Critics might question whether 24 hours is adequate training for hair braiding certification compared to other specialties.
• •Mobile shop regulations may be harder to enforce for sanitation and safety compliance.
• •Concerns could exist about whether these changes adequately protect consumers or maintain professional standards across different cosmetic art specialties.