Alaska House Bill 131 was signed into law by Governor Walker on May 29, 2015. This new law affects all professionals performing manicures in Alaska. The law changes the existing state law in several important ways, including:
- All professionals performing manicures in Alaska must now hold a manicurist license. Until now, an Alaska hairdressing license was considered to be a license to practice manicuring as well. That is no longer the case. Under the new law, everyone performing manicures must how hold a separate manicurist license, even if he or she also holds a hairdressing license. A hairdressing license is still considered a license to practice limited aesthetics, however.
- Applicants for an Alaska manicurist license must now take and pass a manicurist exam administered by the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. Until now, only those people wishing to hold an “advanced manicurist endorsement” needed to take an exam. Now all manicurists must take an exam administered by the Board in order to obtain a manicurist license.
- To qualify to take the manicurist license exam, a license applicant must have completed 250 hours of instruction in manicuring from a licensed school, or have completed a qualifying manicurist apprenticeship, or have completed a combination of schooling and apprenticeship that is acceptable to the Board.
The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2016. However:
- Anyone who holds a valid Alaska license to practice manicuring on January 1, 2016, may continue to engage in the practice of manicuring under that license until the license expires. When the license expires, the license can be renewed for one renewal period if, before August 31, 2017, the person
- submits proof satisfactory to the board that the person has completed 250 hours of work experience as a manicurist; and
- has taken and passed the Board exam.
- Anyone who holds a valid Alaska endorsement to practice advanced manicuring on January 1, 2016 is eligible to receive a manicuring license.
We anticipate that the Board’s website will be updated to include new information and application forms pertaining to the new law. Please periodically check the website so that you are up to date on the requirements that may affect you.