HLO News Details

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.

The Board must have rules in place by July 1, 2024, to meet the requirements of SB 217 (2023) and 2023 Oregon Revised Statutes. Due to this limited time, the RAC will primarily focus on rules related to qualification and renewal requirements. Anticipated rule topics are listed below:

• Implementation of SB 217 (2023):
• School curriculum for each field of practice (FOP) (barbering, esthetics, hair design, and nail technology). Deliberation will be limited to hours and procedures required in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Private Career School rules: OAR 715-045-0200.
• Process for approving school curriculum, including required forms.
• Application requirements – school and reciprocity pathway.
• Certification process for individuals who do not hold an active certification in another state or country but who have education or training.
• FOP written and practical examination.
• Written retake examination process, including study reviews and Board approval after the sixth failed attempt.

Additional rule changes may be general housekeeping, including but not limited to aligning all rules with the requirements of HB 2970 (2021) and the definition of esthetics and advanced esthetics device, natural physiological effect, and epidermis, citations, and references.

The HLO and the Board recommend the following persons, communities, and groups unified by the same common characteristics that may be affected by the rule changes be represented on the RAC:

One practitioner from each field of practice:

• Barbering
• Esthetics
• Hair design
• Nail technology
• Natural hair care

Also:

• Cosmetology schools and educators
• Students enrolled in a cosmetology education program
• Rural communities
• Small business or cosmetology facility owners
• Professional organizations (associations, councils, societies, trade groups)
• Consumer-based organizations (associations, councils, societies)
• Freelance authorization holders
• Independent contractors

Members can serve in multiple membership capacities. For example, one person may represent a practitioner certified in hair design who is also a member of a professional organization.

The RAC meetings will be held at the HLO in Salem, Oregon. All RAC members are asked to attend in person; however, there will be access to the meetings through MS Teams. The RAC is scheduled to meet on:

• March 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• April 3, 2024, at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Due to a short turnaround time, RAC meeting dates cannot be changed. Please be sure you can attend the meeting dates listed above prior to applying to serve on the RAC. If you are interested in serving on the RAC, submit the completed Interest Form no later than February 8, 2024, by 12:00 p.m. (noon). Forms can be sent by email to carrie.edwards@oha.oregon.gov or mailed to the address listed on the first page, c/o Carrie Edwards.

SB 217 (2023) requires the Board to convene a Curriculum Requirements Advisory Committee made up of school representatives prior to adopting rules regarding curriculum requirements. The RAC and Curriculum Requirements Advisory Committee will meet jointly on April 3, 2024. The request for school representatives to serve on the Curriculum Requirements Advisory Committee will be made separately.

This communication will be made available in an accessible alternative format upon request. If you have questions, you can email or call Carrie Edwards at (503) 373-1902.