Board of Cosmetology - Blog

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Upcoming HLO Closures and Delays Mark your calendar: The Health Licensing Office (HLO) will be closed or have delayed openings on the following days: Tuesday, December 16, 2025: Late opening at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 25, 2025: Closed for Christmas Friday, December 26, 2025: *Lobby closed to walk-ins Thursday, January 1, 2026: Closed for New Year’s Day Examinations will not be offered, and licenses will not be issued on these days. On December 26, the HLO will be closed to the public to address administrative tasks. Staff will be answering phones and emails; however, there will be no over-the-counter walk-in service or testing available that day. Our Regular office hours are: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Testing hours are: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.* For examination and licensing questions, call (503) 378-8667. You can also email hlo.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov. Many of your questions can be answered by consulting our website at www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/hlo.
HLO Closed on Monday, July 28, 2025 Please note: The Health Licensing Office will be closed to the public on Monday, July 28, 2025, to address administrative tasks. There will be no over-the-counter walk-in service or testing available this day.
Required Bloodborne Pathogens Training for Oregon Cosmetologists The Health Licensing Office (HLO) reminds all Oregon Cosmetology certification holders renewing a field of practice (hair design, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, or natural hair care) on or after July 1, 2025, that they must complete and maintain current bloodborne pathogens (BBP) training. This requirement is established by Senate Bill 217 (2023) and outlined in Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 817-008-0000. A FAQ document is available to assist with common questions.
Board of Cosmetology - Rules Advisory Committee Recruitment The Health Licensing Office (HLO) and the Board of Cosmetology (Board) are seeking interested parties to serve on a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) for the cosmetology profession. RACs are comprised of individuals and communities with unique perspectives, subject matter expertise, and lived experience as it relates to cosmetology services who are likely to be affected by the rule changes. RACs make recommendations and provide input on rules to HLO and the Board for consideration during the rulemaking process.
Natural Hair Care - Recruiting for Qualification Committee Members The Health Licensing Office (HLO) and the Board of Cosmetology (Board) are currently seeking Natural Hair Care Authorization holders to serve on the Natural Hair Care Qualification Committee (Committee). The purpose of the Committee is to evaluate the Natural Hair Care Training Module and examination, including statistical data for each examination domain and question content, to ensure that each candidate meets baseline competencies.
Board of Cosmetology - Proposed Administrative Rules for Estheticians The Oregon Legislature passed HB 2970 (2021), which changed the scope of practice for estheticians and advanced estheticians. The legislature charged the Board of Cosmetology and the Board of Certified Advanced Estheticians to work collaboratively to define the term “device" as it relates to each profession. Based on the legislative requirement, a Joint Rules Advisory Committee was assembled to make recommendations to both boards. As a result of those recommendations, both boards met on June 12, 2023, and approved proposed rules defining an esthetics device, natural physiological effects, and defining an advanced esthetics device.