The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Board) has proposed new rules that affect barber, cosmetology, esthetics, nail, and wax schools. AHPhas summarized the proposed rules below.
If you would like to submit written comments to the Board in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed rules, email barbercosmo@dpor.virgina.gov before December 7, 2022.
Frequency of Providing School Rosters
Due to a rise in complaints and discipline against licensed schools, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (Department) is introducing unannounced school inspections. The Department needs up-to-date student rosters to properly inspect schools. As a result, the Board drafted the following proposed rules that address inspections and school rosters.
- Rosters must be submitted quarterly on the following days: January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15. The roster must be current within 15 days of the submission. For example, the January 15 roster should be current through December 31.
- Rosters must include all students enrolled in the school, including students who completed their program in the last six months. Students who are enrolled but have not begun classes, must also be included in the report.
- Rosters must be completed on a Board-supplied spreadsheet. The information must include the student’s full name; date of birth; program type; date enrolled; total number of hours completed; and the date completed, terminated, or withdrawn.
- Schools with no students enrolled but have the intention of operating, must submit a report.
- Rosters must be submitted by email to schoolroster@dpor.virginia.gov with the school name as the email subject.
- In each calendar year, schools will not be disciplined on their first instance of reporting after the deadline if the report is submitted within 15 days of the deadline. If a school continues to file late or within 15 days of the deadline, a referral for disciplinary action may occur.
Substantial Equivalence in Relation to Licensure Endorsement
The Board requires applicants with out-of-state training to provide proof of training that is “substantially equivalent” to Virginia education requirements. The revised barbers and cosmetology regulations allow experience to substitute training hours. The proposed rules define substantially equivalent training and exams:
Substantial training equivalence—at least 80 percent of the required hours in Virginia and curriculum content covering Virginia’s scope of practice for a specific profession.
Substantial examination eligibility equivalence—at least 80 percent of the required hours in Virginia and curriculum content covering Virginia’s scope of practice for that profession.
Awarding Credits and/or Hours to Transfer Students
The proposed rules would repeal this section that currently allows a student who transfers from one licensed school to another to carry over hours earned at the former school to the new school.
Comment period deadline: December 7, 2022.