Illinois Proposes New Instructor Qualifications, Hair Diversity Education, and More

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issued proposed rules (page 1674) in the Illinois Register that affect instructor licensing, hair diversity education, and abnormal skin growth requirements. Speak up, have your say, and help shape the industry by submitting comments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed rules. Email Craig.Cellini@illinois.gov before March 31. AHP walks you through the proposed changes below to help you make an informed opinion.

Instructor Licensing
The rules propose new qualifications for licensed instructors who wish to obtain an additional instructor license in a different discipline. Licensed cosmetology, barber, esthetics, and nail technology instructors seeking another instructor license would have to show proof of three years of instructor experience as part of their application.

The proposed rules would require hair braiding instructor applicants to pass the final exam and provide one of the following:

• A transcript showing completion of a 600-hour training program
• A transcript showing completion of a 500-hour training program and two employment verification forms proving at least two years of full-time employment practicing as a hair braider during the last five years

Hair Diversity
The proposed rules would require changes to barbering and cosmetology curricula to include education on hair types and textures; coil, curl, or wave patterns; hair strand thicknesses; and volumes of hair.

Abnormal Skin Growth Education
The rules would approve “Skinny on Skin” by Impact Melanoma Inc. as a course that fulfills the new one-hour abnormal skin growth education requirement that must be completed by new licensure applicants and all license renewal and restoration applicants. This course would include the following:

• Basic information about abnormal skin growths, including definitions, statistics, and types
• Awareness of abnormal skin growths within the context of cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, or a hair braiding salon or barbershop
• Tools to assist clients with available options, choices, and services
• Information on how to listen, communicate, and support a client who may have an abnormal skin growth and connecting clients with available medical resources