The AHP Government Relations team works daily to ensure AHP members and hair professionals across the country are supported and informed about the state of the profession as it evolves. We update our members on proposed legislation and regulations and help them get involved in the process and make their voices heard.
Meet Our Team
Laura Puryear, AHP Government Relations Director
Hailing from North Carolina, Laura brings with her more than 10 years of lobbying and advocacy experience. From the campaign trails to state legislature, she’s no stranger to state politics and policy. Laura has been nationally recognized for her lobbying work and brings that experience with her to AHP to advocate for the hair pro community. Her passion is advocating for your right to keep practicing. When she’s not testifying in legislative committees and board meetings, Laura loves to cook, bake, and develop recipes. She also enjoys swimming and hiking with her dog, Hootie, (and keeping the peace between Hootie and her two cats). You can often find her with her nose in a book (fantasy and sci-fi, usually).
Erin Haden, AHP Government Relations Coordinator
Erin has more than 10 years of combined experience advocating for the cosmetology and massage therapy industries. With degrees in modern languages and public relations, Erin’s unique skill is translating legalese to communicate important law and rule changes to AHP members. Erin encourages members to become advocates for the hair pro community—she believes AHP’s Government Relations team is strongest when our activism voice harmonizes with yours.
Growing up on the Atlantic Ocean in Nova Scotia, Canada, Erin continues to explore her mountainous home in Denver. Forever seeking out the water, she enjoys kayaking and even a lazy river at a water park. You can find her hiking with her dog, Archie, posturing as a cinephile, defeating her husband in an intense game of minigolf, and trying her best to be an extroverted introvert.
Connect with Us!
Have questions about AHP’s advocacy or laws and regulations affecting the hair industry? Contact us at gr@associatedhairprofessionals.com.
AHP’s Stances
Licensing
AHP supports fair licensing laws and rules to increase public safety and minimize undue regulatory burdens on hair professionals. AHP views statewide licensing as a way to standardize cosmetology education requirements and scope of practice and ensure hair professionals practice safely and competently.
Sanitation
Universal sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization precautions are of paramount importance to the hair industry. AHP backs regulations that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and practicing cosmetologists.
Apprenticeship
AHP views apprenticeship as an alternative education pathway to licensure and an opportunity to earn while you learn. AHP supports apprenticeship programs that provide thorough educational requirements and oversight.
The Cosmetology Licensure Compact (Compact)
The Compact aims to simplify interstate cosmetology practice and regulation with the goal of reducing unnecessary burdens related to licensure. The Compact will allow licensed cosmetologists to temporarily move from one compact-participating state to another without long application wait times or pauses between practicing. Ultimately, the Compact increases mobility for lawfully practicing cosmetologists in compact-participating states by reducing long processing times.
Now that enough states have passed the bill language (at least seven were needed), a Cosmetology Compact Commission will be formed by individuals from its member states to develop governing rules. Once that process is complete, cosmetologists in participating states can obtain a multistate license, so long as they have no encumbrances against their license in their home state. AHP, along with other organizations and individuals, lobbied to get the Compact enacted for the benefit of cosmetologists.
At this time, the Compact is only for licensed cosmetologists and not available to licensed barbers or licensed estheticians. It is AHP’s hope that Compacts for these professions may become available in the future.
GET INVOLVED
AHP has a say in the laws and rules that affect hairstylists and barbers, but we’re stronger together. That’s why we encourage you to get involved. Learn how to use your voice to advocate for your industry here. Learn keywords, the process of how a bill becomes a law, and how a rule becomes a law in the regulatory process.