Barbering and cosmetology.

Assembly Member Nguyen's barbering and cosmetology reform legislation redefines the scope of regulated beauty services in California by removing basic hair care practices like shampooing and styling from state licensing requirements. The bill maintains existing regulations for chemical treatments, cutting, and coloring while creating a new category of unlicensed hair care services that requires practitioners to disclose their licensure status to consumers.

The legislation eliminates the separate hairstylist license category while preserving core elements of barbering and cosmetology practice. Licensed activities continue to include chemical processing, hair cutting, facial treatments, nail care, and other technical services. Practitioners who provide basic hair care services like washing, arranging, or styling at commercial establishments must now notify clients about their unlicensed status.

Additional provisions standardize licensing fees across professional categories, with initial licenses ranging from $35-50 and renewals capped at $50. The bill also clarifies that barbering and cosmetology training programs in correctional facilities must meet state standards for graduates to qualify for licensing examinations. Local agencies face no additional costs from implementing the modified regulatory framework, as the bill explicitly exempts them from state reimbursement requirements.