Barbering and Cosmetology Board

Revision Date: 
Tuesday, September 17, 2024

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Barbering and Cosmetology Board

Previously:       

  • State Board of Barbers and Cosmeticians (1929-1935)
  • State Board of Barber Examiners (1935-1984)
  • State Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners (1935-1958)
  • State Board of Cosmetology (1958-2021)
  • State Board of Barbers (1984-2021)

Authority

Effective September 14, 2024 statutory authority for the Barbering and Cosmetology Board (BCB) is found at A.R.S. §§32-501 et seq.  Prior to legislative renumbering, statutory authority for barbers was at A.R.S. §§32-301 et seq. and statutory authority for cosmetologists, aestheticians, nail technicians, and hairstylists was at A.R.S. §§32-501 et seq. Administrative rules are found at Arizona Administrative Code Title 4, Chapter 10 (A.A.C. R1-10-101 et seq.). 

Function

The BCB consists of nine members, appointed by the Governor for terms of three years.  Its purpose is to “…ensure that the public is protected from the incompetent practice of barbering and cosmetology by establishing minimum qualifications for entry into these professions and swift and effective discipline for those practitioners who violate barbering or cosmetology statutes or rules adopted pursuant to those statutes.” See Laws 2021, Chapter 334, Section 33, Purpose clause.

History

Background

The State Board of Barbers and Cosmeticians, created in 1929, outlined regulations and licensing requirements for barbers and cosmetologists to practice in the state.  Statutes were amended in 1931. The Board was reorganized in 1935 and divided, creating the State Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners and the State Board of Barber Examiners.

In 1958, the Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners was renamed the State Board of Cosmetology and in 1984, the Board of Barber Examiners was renamed the Board of Barbers.

In 2021, the two boards were consolidated to form the Barbering and Cosmetology Board.

Session Laws

The Legislature has modified the structure, responsibility, and, on occasion, the name of the regulatory board or boards with oversight authority for the professions of barbering and cosmetology.  The following sections provide a breakdown and short description of relevant legislative enactments.  Section 1 describes the Barbering and Cosmetology Board (BCB), established in 2021. Section 2 outlines provisions, enacted prior to 2021, relating to cosmetologists and Section 3 describes provisions, enacted prior to 2021, relating to barbers.

Section 1 - Barbering and Cosmetology Board

The State Board of Barbers and Cosmeticians was first established by Laws 1929, Chapter 76 and was reorganized in 1935 as two entities: the State Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners and the State Board of Barber Examiners.  In 1958, the State Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners was renamed the State Board of Cosmetology and in 1984, the State Board of Barber Examiners was renamed the Board of Barbers.

Laws 2021, Chapter 334 consolidated the State Board of Cosmetology and the Board of Barbers, creating the Barbering and Cosmetology Board to: “…ensure that the public is protected from the incompetent practice of barbering and cosmetology by establishing minimum qualifications for entry into these professions and swift and effective discipline for those practitioners who violate barbering or cosmetology statutes or rules adopted pursuant to those statutes.” (See Section 33,  Purpose).

The measure transferred unexpended and unencumbered monies from the Barbers Fund to the Board of Cosmetology and Barbers Fund, modified course and licensing exam requirements, specified membership of the newly created Barbering and Cosmetology Board and made technical and conforming changes.

In 2023, three measures were enacted relating to barbering and cosmetology:

Laws 2023, Chapter 18 established regulatory and registration requirements for eyelash technicians.

Laws 2023, Chapter 20 provided license reciprocity for instructors of cosmetology, aesthetics, nail technology, and hairstyling from another state or country who have at least one year of experience.

Laws 2023, Chapter 93 outlines requirements and conditions for the state to adopt the Cosmetology Licensure Compact and provides for the establishment of a Commission consisting of representatives from each state that enacts the Compact.  The Purpose clause says ‘…member states seek to establish a regulatory framework that provides for a new multistate licensing program.’  The measure also describes requirements that apply to each member state, including multistate licensure, oversight, enforcement, and responsibilities of the Commission. The Compact does not become effective until adopted by the seventh state. 

Laws 2024, Chapter 250 repealed A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 3 related to barbering and incorporated its provisions into Title 32, Chapter 5 governing the Barbering and Cosmetology Board and made other conforming changes. Administrative rules remain at R4-10-101 et seq. See the explanation above under Authority.

Section 2 -  Cosmetology

The State Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners was established in 1935 when the Legislature divided the State Board of Barbers and Cosmeticians (initially created in 1929) into two separate regulatory boards. The Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners consisted of three members appointed by the Governor to three-year terms. In 1958, the board was renamed as the State Board of Cosmetology.  See Laws 1935, Chapter 52 and Laws 1958, Chapter 101.

Cosmetology statutes were updated and reorganized by Laws 1984, Chapter 280 which expanded the Board of Cosmetology to seven members, including two practicing cosmetologists, one practicing nail technician, one active instructor, one school owner, one educator from outside cosmetology and nail technology, and one member of the public not associated with the field. The powers and duties of the State Board of Cosmetology remained essentially unchanged.

Laws 2000, Chapter 147 allowed the Board of Cosmetology to either administer testing or to contract with a national professional organization; modified licensure requirements for aestheticians, cosmetologists, nail technicians, and instructors; restructured fees for applications, exams, licenses, and related services; and outlined confidentiality requirements for exams, grading, transcripts, and investigations.

Two measures enacted in 2008 addressed responsibilities of the Board of Cosmetology. Laws 2008, Chapter 183 provided an automatic, limited extension for various state-issued licenses, including those issued by the Board of Cosmetology to members of the U.S. military while serving on active duty. This bill applied to cosmetologists as well as barbers.

Laws 2008, Chapter 232 allowed an aesthetician to perform cosmetic laser procedures after obtaining a license from the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency (ARRA). The Board of Cosmetology was responsible for investigating complaints and was required to report to ARRA any complaints received about training or performance of an aesthetician certified as a laser technician.

Laws 2011, Chapter 199 eliminated term limits for Board of Cosmetology members; authorized the Executive Director of the Board to issue licenses; required certain coursework to qualify for a reciprocity license; and eliminated the requirement for the Board to mail a notice of renewal to a licensee.

Laws 2016, Chapter 251 modified membership on the Board of Cosmetology by replacing the educator position with an additional public member; revised age requirements for licensure; and established the legislative “Cosmetic Lasers Study Committee” with a report due by December 31, 2016.

Laws 2017, Chapter 12 established hairstyling as an activity regulated by the Board of Cosmetology and outlined requirements to obtain a hairstylist license and a hairstylist instructor license. The measure also reduced the number of hours of instructor training required to obtain a cosmetologist and aesthetics instructor license. This bill applied to barbers as well as cosmetologists, aestheticians, and nail technicians.

Two measures enacted in 2019 addressed cosmetology licensing requirements. Laws 2019, Chapter 96 exempts persons who shampoo, condition, dry or style hair from cosmetology licensing requirements and regulations, however the person must complete a class on sanitation, infection protection and law review offered by the Board of Cosmetology.

The second measure enacted in 2019 exempts participants in an apprenticeship program in cosmetology from licensing and regulation if the apprentice works with a mentor in a Board-licensed establishment. The measure established requirements to qualify as a mentor and outlined licensing qualifications for persons who complete an apprenticeship program in cosmetology. This bill applied to barbers and cosmetologists.  See Laws 2019, Chapter 109.

Laws 2020, Chapter 75 modified the composition of the Board of Cosmetology to include three members representing the profession, rather than five, and increased the number of public members from two to four. The measure included similar provisions relating to four other boards, including the Board of Barbers.

Laws 2021, Chapter 334 consolidated the Board of Cosmetology with the Board of Barbers to create the Barbering and Cosmetology Board. The measure transferred unexpended and unencumbered monies from the Barbers Fund to the Board of Cosmetology and Barbers Fund, modified course and licensing exam requirements, specified membership of the newly created Barbering and Cosmetology Board and made technical and conforming changes.

Note: See Section 1, describing the Barbering and Cosmetology Board, for statutory changes related to cosmetologists enacted after 2021.

           

Section 3 - Barbers

The State Board of Barbers and Cosmeticians, which had been created in 1929, was divided into two regulatory boards: the State Board of Barber Examiners and the State Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners in 1935. In subsequent years, the two boards were renamed and eventually consolidated.   See Laws 1929, Chapter 76 and Laws 1935, Chapter 51.

In 1958 the State Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners was renamed the State Board of Cosmetology and in 1984, the State Board of Barber Examiners was renamed the Board of Barbers.  Legislation enacted in 2021 consolidated the two boards into a single regulatory board, creating the Barbering and Cosmetology Board.  See Laws 1958, Chapter 101; Laws 1984, Chapter 279; and Laws 2021, Chapter 334.

In Laws 1984, Chapter 279 the Legislature established minimum qualifications to enter the barbering profession and prescribed disciplinary measures for barbers who violate statutes or administrative rules.

In 1994, the Legislature modified the requirements for a person to be appointed to the Board of Barbers and revised the requirements to obtain an instructor license. See Laws 1994, Chapter 185.

Laws 2008, Chapter 183 provided an automatic, limited extension for various state-issued licenses, including those issued by the Board of Barbers to members of the U.S. military while serving on active duty. This provision applied to barbers as well as cosmetologists.

Laws 2017, Chapter 12 established hairstyling as a service a barber can offer with a license issued by the regulated by the Board of Cosmetology. The legislation outlined requirements to obtain a hairstylist license and a hairstylist instructor license. The measure also reduced the number of hours of instructor training required to obtain a cosmetologist and aesthetics instructor license. This bill included provisions relating to barbers as well as cosmetologists, aestheticians, and nail technicians.

Laws 2018, Chapter 274 allowed a person to meet the educational requirements for a barber license by completing an apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The measure also allowed a licensed barber to serve as a mentor, if approved by the Board.

Laws 2019, Chapter 109 modified state licensing requirements for barbers who are licensed in another state or country. The measure also decreased the number of hours, from 750 to 350, required as part of a course of study for a person who holds a cosmetologist or hairstylist license and applies for a barber license. The measure included provisions relating to barbering and cosmetology.

Laws 2020, Chapter 75 modified the composition of the Board of Barbers to include two members representing the profession, rather than three, and increased the number of public members from two to three.  The measure included similar provisions relating to four other boards, including the Board of Cosmetology.

Laws 2021, Chapter 334 consolidated the Board of Cosmetology with the Board of Barbers to create the Barbering and Cosmetology Board. The measure transferred unexpended and unencumbered monies from the Barbers Fund to the Board of Cosmetology and Barbers Fund, modified course and licensing exam requirements, specified membership of the newly created Barbering and Cosmetology Board, and made technical and conforming changes.

Sources

  • A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 3, Articles 1 through 3 at §§32-301 et seq.
  • A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 5, Articles 1 through 7 at §§32-501 et seq.
  • Arizona Administrative Code §§R4-10-101 et seq.
  • Session Laws
    • Laws 1929, Chapter 76
    • Laws 1931, Chapter 39
    • Laws 1935, Chapter 51 and Chapter 52
    • Laws 1958, Chapter 101
    • Laws 1984, Chapter 279 and Chapter 280
    • Laws 1994, Chapter 185
    • Laws 2000, Chapter 147
    • Laws 2008, Chapter 183 and Chapter 232
    • Laws 2011, Chapter 199
    • Laws 2016, Chapter 251
    • Laws 2017, Chapter 12
    • Laws 2018, Chapter 274
    • Laws 2019, Chapter 96 and Chapter 109
    • Laws 2020, Chapter 75
    • Laws 2021, Chapter 334
    • Laws 2023, Chapter 18, Chapter 20, and Chapter 93
    • Laws 2024, Chapter 250

Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board website

Arizona Memory Project Arizona State Board of Barber Examiners agency collection

Arizona Memory Project Arizona State Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners agency collection

Arizona Memory Project Arizona State Board of Cosmetology agency collection

related collections at Arizona State archives

  • Record Group 017 – Arizona Board of Board of Barbers, 1929-1971
  • Record Group 158 – Board of Beauty Culturist Examiners
  • Record Group 223 – Arizona State Board of Cosmetology