Reciprocity
Of all of the many issues facing our industry, few receive as much attention as “reciprocity” – the recognition by one state’s government of the credentials of a licensed professional from another state. And although there are rules in place that now allow for forms of reciprocity among over 30 states, significant challenges remain. NCA receives hundreds of communications each year from frustrated salon professionals that are re-locating across state lines. So what is the problem?
At the heart of the reciprocity issue is just what knowledge and skills are required to protect the public - and what educational process is required to best prepare new cosmetology professionals to do just that (regardless of where one practices) - and why is it not the same in all states? Does it take:
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1000 hours of schooling (New York) -
1200 hours (Pennsylvania)
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1500 hours (Illinois)
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2300 hours (Oregon)?
Is there a logical reason for the differences that exist today – or is it more a function of the times in which laws were developed – a time when information wasn’t shared as easily and when “reinventing the wheel” was an all too common practice in many areas of life.
Beyond the issue of assisting those who move to a new state to do so with as little disruption to their livelihoods as possible, there is perhaps a much bigger issue for us all to consider. Each year, close to 200,000 young people enter beauty school with the goal of making better lives for themselves and their families. Depending on where they live, some must go to school for 6 months and some for 18 - all to reach the same goal of being licensed. Given the disparity in requirements based on what seems to be only geography, logic would dictate that some are getting short changed by either (1) not getting enough training or (2) being required to stay in school longer then is needed - all because of the laws in place.
Over time, the industry has changed in more ways then we have space to list. The ways salons are operated, the services we provide, the business and employment models we operate under the needs of clients and the ways in which salons are provided products, education and support by industry companies and partners has all been changing – and yet the foundation of the laws that govern the industry (the hours required to be licensed as a cosmetologist) have changed very little as it relates to the core knowledge and experience required to meet the needs of the pubic.
As all of the industry’s various associations continue to work to a solution for reciprocity nationwide, NCA encourages all to look beyond the obvious and to consider together the larger issue of modernizing and standardizing the requirements for licensure across the board in all areas of practice for the benefit of both working and future generations of professionals.
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October 2nd, 2007 at 9:10 pm
It amazes me how many people have done hair for years and still can’t do hair. So a few hours one way or the other is hardly going to make a difference.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:27 am
This is such an important issue. States should only be concerned about public safety it is up to the public to decide if someone knows how to cut and style hair not the state or the regulatory agency. Oregon has 1700 hours. Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota have 2100 hours for Cosmetology.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I’d like to see students go to school for theory hours, take their state board written exam and be approved to then work in salons as an apprentice for one year before they then become licenced. Schools can teach what they are good at - the book learning. Let apprentices then learn on the job before going back to the state to take their final exam. We require all who go to work for us (with a licence) to apprentice for 9 months- we have no choice if we are to maintain quality. I am not against schools at all - just need to have shorter programs
October 17th, 2007 at 10:04 am
There are too many salons that require “apprenticeships” only to get free help while teaching little to nothing. And the state has so few inspectors its a joke. As bad as schools can be, turning over education to salons would make a bad situation much worse.
December 31st, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Hairdressing schools are a joke. They teach nothing.The only way to learn is to do it.confidence is the answer. Salon stylists are so competitive with one another that they feel that if they would teach a beginner they would lose money. The owners need to spend some money to hire others to come in and teach.I learned on my own,and helped others to learn . This made me a much better stylist in the long run.
January 5th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I’m not a huge fan of schools (including the beauty school i went to, the public junior high my daughter is in and the elementary school my son is). But I do know there are good schools too. A paul mitchell school opened in our area two years ago and is getting rave reviews so i only want to say we should all be careful when we critisize. I do agree that we owners need to invest in who we hire if we expect them to be loyal and grow.
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Excellent! a great step forward for the NCA,such quality and professionalism.
Good job