Cosmetologists and Barbers of Iowa, Inc.(CBI)

4/7/2025

TAKE ACTION TODAY: Iowa’s Barber & Cosmetology Industry is Under Attack

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Click HERE to TAKE ACTION: ACTION ALERT

We must contiune this fight through the end of April 2025.

Make contact by emailing and calling your Senator as lest once a week.

Please mobilize with the action alert and the petition below.

Anyone can sign family, friends, and customers!

Change.Org Petition: Sign the Petition: Stop HF 711

UPDATE!

Quick update on the happenings with HF711 a bill to create a new establishment training program.

The bill was on the House debate calendar on Thursday, but we got pulled from the debate calendar. However, it is back on the calendar for Monday afternoon. IT IS TIME TO TAKE ACTION.

The Barber Project has put out a document to legislators (see attached) suggesting we are not telling the truth about HF711 when the truth is that they are lying -in black and white – about what the bill does. They have stated that the bill doesn’t allow coloring, but on Page 3, line 5 of HF 711 it specifically states they can shampoo, cut, and color hair.

Many legislators don’t like the idea of individuals being able to cut and color hair with no training or license, while others are open to less regulations. Hence why you see the messaging you do in the attachment. We need to make this issue about the public health and safety of Iowans. Using chemicals on the general public with little to no training or supervision is a disaster waiting to happen. There is a clear risk to the public.

Another concern that has been brought up is what license is going to be issued even if they are allowed to shampoo, cut and color hair because the apprentice/student is not learning all the elements required training for a full license. What protections are there for the apprentice and who makes those decisions? This has clearly not been thought out.

Please mobilize with the action alert and the petition below. Anyone can sign family, friends, and customers!

Change.Org Petition: Sign the Petition: Stop HF 711

Cosmetologists and Barbers of Iowa, Inc.(CBI)

Copied from an email from Advocacy Strategies and paraphrased for CBI membership, contact list and Facebook.

My Thoughts -Marilee Mai, CBI President

House File 711 proposes significant changes to the regulation and training of barbering and cosmetology professionals in Iowa. While the bill aims to create alternative pathways into the profession, it raises several concerns for currently licensed barbers and cosmetologists:

1. Establishment Training Programs: The bill introduces establishment training programs, allowing individuals to receive training directly within licensed establishments. This could lead to inconsistencies in training quality compared to standardized school programs.

2. Reduction in Training Hours: The bill proposes reducing the required training hours for licensure, which may result in less comprehensive education for new practitioners.

On-the-Job Training: Allowing unlicensed individuals to perform services under supervision could compromise service quality and client safety.

3. Increased Competition: Easier entry into the profession may saturate the market, reducing income opportunities for existing professionals.

4. Variability in Training Quality: Without standardized oversight, training quality may vary between establishments, leading to inconsistencies in practitioner competency.

Liability Concerns: Licensed professionals supervising trainees may face increased liability for any mistakes made by unlicensed individuals.

5. Public Perception: The perception of reduced training standards could diminish the profession's credibility.

Insurance Implications: Insurance premiums for establishments may rise due to the increased risk associated with unlicensed practitioners providing services.

6. Client Safety: Clients may be exposed to higher risks if services are performed by inadequately trained individuals.

7.Professional Oversight: The bill may strain the capacity of the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences to effectively oversee and regulate the profession.

Erosion of Professional Standards: Allowing alternative training pathways might lead to a gradual erosion of established professional standards.

9. Economic Impact on Schools: Traditional barbering and cosmetology schools may experience decreased enrollment, impacting their financial viability.

10. Inconsistent Skill Levels: Clients may encounter inconsistent service quality due to varying training backgrounds among practitioners.

11. Regulatory Challenges: Implementing and monitoring the new training programs could present significant challenges for regulatory bodies.

12. Job Security: Current professionals may feel their job security is threatened by an influx of new practitioners entering the field through less rigorous training programs.

Expanding My Thoughts from Above

1. Establishment Training Programs

House File 711 introduces the concept of establishment training programs, where individuals can receive hands-on training directly within licensed establishments rather than attending formal educational institutions. While this may increase accessibility to the profession, it also raises significant concerns about the consistency and quality of education. Unlike licensed schools that follow standardized curriculums and are subject to rigorous oversight, establishments may vary widely in their training practices. This inconsistency could result in a workforce with uneven levels of competence, putting both clients and the reputation of the profession at risk.

2. Reduction in Training Hours

The bill proposes reducing the number of required training hours for licensure, which may significantly diminish the depth and breadth of education new practitioners receive. Licensed cosmetologists and barbers undergo comprehensive training that covers sanitation, infection control, anatomy, safety, and technical skills. Reducing these hours undermines the thorough preparation needed to perform services safely and professionally. Inadequately trained individuals may inadvertently expose clients to health risks, including infections and injuries, and may lack the skills to provide consistent, high-quality services.

3. On-the-Job Training and Supervision Risks

Allowing unlicensed individuals to perform services under supervision poses substantial risks. Licensed practitioners who oversee trainees may face increased liability if a trainee makes mistakes or causes harm. In cases of malpractice, the supervising professional could be held accountable, even if they were not directly involved in performing the service. This increased risk could deter experienced professionals from participating in such programs, thereby limiting the availability of qualified mentors and compromising the quality of training overall.

4. Variability in Training Quality

Since establishment-based training lacks the standardized curriculum of accredited schools, quality can vary significantly from one location to another. This disparity creates an unpredictable level of skill and knowledge among new practitioners. Clients may receive substandard services from inadequately trained individuals, damaging the reputation of the entire industry. Additionally, inconsistent training could make it difficult for employers and clients to trust the competency of new graduates, leading to confusion and potential safety hazards.

5. Increased Liability for Licensed Professionals

Licensed barbers and cosmetologists who agree to supervise unlicensed trainees may find themselves at an increased risk of legal liability. If a trainee’s actions result in client harm or malpractice claims, the supervising professional could be held responsible for failing to adequately oversee the work. This increased burden may discourage experienced practitioners from offering supervision or mentorship, further limiting training opportunities and reducing the quality of hands-on education.

6. Public Perception and Professional Credibility

The profession’s credibility may suffer if the public perceives that entry requirements and training standards have been lowered. Clients may lose confidence in the skills and knowledge of licensed professionals, especially if stories of malpractice or injury become more common. Reputational damage could ultimately lead to a decline in client numbers and income for established barbers and cosmetologists, as clients might seek services from providers who adhere to stricter training standards.

7. Insurance Implications

Insurance companies may respond to the increased risk posed by unlicensed trainees and reduced training hours by raising premiums for professional liability and business insurance. Licensed professionals could be forced to pay higher rates or face policy changes that limit coverage in cases involving unlicensed or inadequately trained individuals. Establishments could also struggle to maintain coverage if insurers deem their practices too risky. This financial burden could further strain small businesses and deter new professionals from entering the field.

8. Client Safety Concerns

Reducing training standards and allowing unlicensed individuals to perform services increase the risk of harm to clients. Inadequate knowledge of infection control, improper use of equipment, and lack of proficiency in techniques could lead to health hazards, including cuts, burns, and infections. Clients who experience adverse outcomes may lose trust in the entire industry, damaging the reputation of both individual practitioners and the profession as a whole.

9. Regulatory Challenges and Oversight

The Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences will face significant challenges in effectively regulating and monitoring establishment training programs. Inspecting and evaluating numerous training sites to ensure compliance with safety and educational standards will require increased resources and manpower. Without adequate oversight, unqualified practitioners may enter the workforce, compromising public safety and the profession’s integrity.

10. Erosion of Professional Standards

The introduction of less rigorous training paths and the proliferation of establishment-based education may gradually erode professional standards. As the public becomes aware of the reduced training requirements, they may perceive licensed professionals as being less skilled or less reliable. This could result in decreased respect for the profession and lower overall client expectations.

11. Inconsistent Skill Levels Among Practitioners

Clients may encounter significant variability in the quality of services due to the lack of standardized education. This inconsistency could harm client satisfaction and negatively impact the reputation of businesses that employ less-trained workers. Clients who receive subpar services may associate the experience with the entire industry, making it harder for reputable professionals to maintain client loyalty.

12. Regulatory and Compliance Challenges

The implementation of establishment-based training programs will require robust systems to track and verify compliance with state regulations. The Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology will need to increase inspections and monitoring efforts to ensure that training meets minimum safety and competency standards. Without proper regulatory measures, unlicensed or inadequately trained individuals could operate without accountability, jeopardizing client safety and the profession's reputation.

13. Tax Collection and IRS Implications

A critical oversight in House File 711 is the lack of clarity regarding how taxes will be collected from those participating in establishment-based training programs. Unlicensed individuals performing services may not be properly registered for tax purposes, creating a potential gap in IRS reporting and compliance. Licensed professionals and establishment owners may inadvertently become liable for unreported income or face audits if trainee earnings are not properly documented and taxed. This lack of clear tax policy could have far-reaching financial and legal consequences for business owners and practitioners alike.