RDCSB637 3264 5577
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
White SB No. 637
Present law provides relative to the La. State Board of Cosmetology.
Present law requires all registered cosmetology schools to do the following:
(1)Offer a course of practical training and technical instruction extending over a period
of not less than nine consecutive months and including not less than 1,500 hours for
the basic course of cosmetology. The course of study shall include lectures,
discussion, instructions, and mechanical application.
(2)Offer a course of practical training and technical instruction extending over a period
of not less than three consecutive months and including not less than 750 hours for
the basic course of esthetics. This course of study shall include lectures, discussion,
instructions, and mechanical application and shall include not less than 300 hours of
practical application and lecture and not less than 200 hours of library study or
research. The remaining hours may be made up of any combination of the above.
(3)Provide for a period of continuing study in esthetics, including a course of not less
than six weeks duration and containing not less than 200 hours of study.
(4)Offer a course of practical training and technical instruction extending over a period
of not less than three consecutive months and including not less than 500 hours for
the basic course of manicuring. This course of study shall include lectures,
discussion, instructions, and mechanical application and shall include not less than
300 hours of practical application and lecture and not less than 200 hours of library
study or research.
(5)Provide for a period of continuing study in manicuring, including a course of not less
than six weeks duration and containing not less than 200 hours of study.
Proposed law authorizes the board to license by name any registered cosmetology school as
an educational institution authorized to operate educational programs beyond postsecondary
education, provided the school meets the following requirements:
(1) Enrolls as students only individuals who have earned a high school diploma from an
approved high school, a general equivalency diploma, or education equivalent of a
diploma from an approved high school.
(2) Adopts and discloses in writing to each student a complaint process approved by the
board which includes notice of the following:
(a) The board's requirement to investigate and act upon student complaints pursuant
to present law (R.S. 37:600, et seq.).
(b) The board's requirement to refer violations of criminal laws to law enforcement
officials pursuant to present law (R.S. 37:575(A)(16)).
(c) The board's requirement to refer violations of consumer protection laws to the
Louisiana Attorney General.
(d) The mailing address, telephone number and website address of the board.
(3) The school is approved by the board to offer one or more courses leading to a
certificate sufficient to apply for licensure as a cosmetologist, esthetician, or
manicurist." RDCSB637 3264 5577
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Proposed law changes present law to authorize all registered cosmetology schools to offer
one or more the following, and proposed law further provides that postsecondary schools are
required to offer one or more of the following only as a postsecondary educational program:
(1)A course of practical training and technical instruction extending over a period of not
less than nine consecutive months and including not less than 1,500 hours for the
basic course of cosmetology leading to a cosmetology certificate sufficient to apply
for licensure as a cosmetologist. The course of study shall include lectures,
discussion, instructions, and mechanical application.
(2)A course of practical training and technical instruction extending over a period of not
less than three consecutive months and including not less than 750 hours for the
basic course of esthetics leading to an esthetics certificate sufficient to apply for
licensure as an esthetician. This course of study shall include lectures, discussion,
instructions, and mechanical application and shall include not less than 300 hours of
practical application and lecture and not less than 200 hours of library study or
research. The remaining hours may be made up of any combination of the above.
(3)A period of continuing study in esthetics, including a course of not less than six
weeks duration and containing not less than 200 hours of study.
(4)A course of practical training and technical instruction extending over a period of not
less than three consecutive months and including not less than 500 hours for the
basic course of manicuring leading to a manicuring certificate sufficient to apply for
licensure as a manicurist. This course of study shall include lectures, discussion,
instructions, and mechanical application and shall include not less than 300 hours of
practical application and lecture and not less than 200 hours of library study or
research.
(5)A period of continuing study in manicuring, including a course of not less than six
weeks duration and containing not less than 200 hours of study.
(6)A "brush up" course of not less than six weeks and not less than 200 hours of study
for any course of study offered by the school.
(7)A cosmetology course that is not less than 250 hours for individuals seeking
reciprocity from a jurisdiction that does not meet the requirements for licensure in
the state of La.
(8)A course of instruction leading to an instructor certificate, if the school is a
postsecondary school.
Present law provides that a student who has studied at a school licensed or registered by
another state, territory, foreign country, or province, or another registered school within the
state of La. may transfer hours carried within the preceding three years, if approved by the
enrolling school.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law provides that each year, any school registered by the board as provided in
present law (R.S. 37:594.1) is required to submit to the board in a manner prescribed by the
board the following documentation showing:
(1)Each student enrolled is a high school graduate or has the equivalent of a high school
diploma.
(2)The school is accredited by a national accrediting agency recognized by the board.
(3)Any additional information as may be required by the board to meet requirements
of the U.S. Dept. of Education for a postsecondary school including but not limited
to certain provisions of federal law. RDCSB637 3264 5577
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Proposed law requires that the provisions of proposed law shall not apply to schools that do
not provide federal financial assistance to its students and do not require a high school
diploma or the passage of a high school equivalency exam for admission. Further provides
that proposed law shall not apply to schools that are not accredited and do not provide
federal financial assistance to its students.
Effective August 1, 2014.
Amends R.S. 37:571(A) and 595(B), (C), and (D); (Adds R.S. 37:594.1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Makes technical changes.
2. Provides that proposed law will not apply to schools that do not provide
federal financial assistance to its students and do not require a high school
diploma or the passage of a high school equivalency exam for admission.
3. Provides that proposed law will not apply to schools that are not accredited
and do not provide federal financial assistance to its students.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
reengrossed bill.
1. Provided relative to postsecondary schools and the board's authorization to
license by name any registered cosmetology school as an educational institution
authorized to operate educational programs beyond postsecondary education,
provided that the school does the following:
(a)Enrolls as students only individuals who have earned a high
school diploma, a general equivalency diploma, or education
equivalent of a diploma from an approved high school.
(b) Adopts and discloses in writing to each student a complaint
process approved by the board which includes certain notices and
disclosures by the board.
(c) Board approval of the school to offer one or more courses leading
to a certificate sufficient to apply for licensure as a cosmetologist,
esthetician, or manicurist.
2. Changed proposed law to add the requirement for a registered cosmetology
school or postsecondary school to offer a course not less than 250 hours for
individuals seeking reciprocity from a jurisdiction not meeting the requirements
for licensure in the state of La.