Relating to the practice of barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences and providing transition provisions

Description

Senate File 540 merges the Boards of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences and the Board of Barbering into the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (the Board). It does so by repealing Iowa Code chapter 158, which governs barbering, and makes conforming changes elsewhere in the Iowa Code. The powers and responsibilities of both boards remain unchanged by the merger, and administrative rules are to remain in effect until the Board amends, rescinds, or supplements the rules, or the rules expire.

This Bill also changes the definition of “cosmetology” by removing arranging, braiding, and dressing of hair and adding hairstyling. The Bill adds nail technology and barbering to the practices encompassed within the definition of “cosmetology.” “Manicuring and pedicuring” are also removed from the definition of “cosmetology arts and sciences,” and the definition of “salon” is changed to include a readily movable establishment. The Bill provides a definition of hairstyling and adds “hairstyling” to the list of cosmetology arts and sciences disciplines. The Bill directs the Board to adopt rules for the licensure of persons who practice barbering and hairstyling. Under current law, both cosmetologists and barbers can provide services that include hairstyling, and while this remains unchanged by the Bill, the Bill does direct the Board to create a new license permitting barbering and hairstyling licensees to provide only barbering and hairstyling.

Background

The Iowa Department of Public Health has contracted with the company LaunchIT for the past six years to provide software support for the AMANDA professional licensing system software. As of July 1, 2020, the Board of Barbering reports 1,548 active licensees. The Board is currently allocated 0.15 full-time equivalent (FTE) position for the Board Executive and 0.2 FTE position for the licensure clerk.

As of July 1, 2020, the Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences reports 24,865 active licensees. The Board is currently allocated 0.45 FTE position for the Board Executive and 1.2 FTE positions for the licensure clerks.

Assumptions

In order to implement the licensing changes within the Bill, the AMANDA software would need to undergo several updates, including:

• Merging the 2,100-hour barbering and 2,100-hour cosmetologist licensing databases.
• Creating a 1,500-hour hairstylist licensing database.
• Creating a 1,500-hour barber and hairstylist database.
• Creating a straight razor shaving certificate for existing 2,100-hour cosmetologists who had not previously received training for straight razor shaving.
• Reconfiguring barbershops to be classified as salons in order to renew licensing. The Department estimates that the ongoing work of adding new license types, providing oversight to updating the rules of the existing boards to meet the needs of the merged board, and ongoing customer services needs of the merged board would require an additional FTE position. The Department anticipates that the Board Executive for the merged board would increase to a full 1.0 FTE position, and the licensure clerk duties would require 2.0 FTE positions.

Fiscal Impact

To implement SF 540, the AMANDA licensing system software would require updates at a cost of approximately $150,000. This cost would be a one-time update and would not be recurring. This cost includes the following:

• $41,000 to merge the 2,100-hour barbering and 2,100-hour cosmetologist licensing databases.
• $82,000 to create the 1,500-hour hairstylist licensing database.
• $13,000 to create the 1,500-hour barber and hairstylist database.
• $3,000 to create a straight razor shaving certificate.
• $10,000 to reconfigure licensed barbershops as licensed salons.

Additionally, there would be a recurring annual cost of $81,000 for the additional FTE position requirements for the Board Executive and licensure clerks.

Source

• Iowa Department of Public Health