White (SB 637) Act No. 773
Prior law provided relative to the La. State Board of Cosmetology.
Prior law required 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.
New 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 prior law (R.S. 37:600, et seq.).
(b) The board's requirement to refer violations of criminal laws to law enforcement
officials pursuant to prior law (R.S. 37:575(A)(16)).
(c) The board's requirement to refer violations of consumer protection laws to the
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."
New law changes prior law to authorize all registered cosmetology schools to offer one or
more the following, and new 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.
Prior law provided 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. New law retains prior law.
New law provides that each year, any school registered by the board as provided in prior 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.
New law requires that new 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 new 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)