To Move or Not to Move
We recently received the following comments to our SalonLife blog:
Hello to all of my fellow stylist and former students - I would like to start out by saying we need a national standard for all areas, it’s sad that we must re-qualify just because we’ve changed to a different state. I’m pretty sure the hair, skin and nails in one state are the same in another…
The idea that licensing in America today is such a patchwork of differing hours, educational standards and requirement baffles many a professional. Why, for example, does it take only 1000 clock hours of training in New York to qualify for licensure while in Utah, you have to go to school twice as long – 2,000 hours – for the same qualification?
To most, these differences are not an issue – until one day when life throws them an opportunity (or curve ball) and they are required to relocate to another state.
So the question of the day is: have you ever moved from one state to another and needed to become re-licensed? If so, what was your experience like and what are your thoughts on one hours standard per license (for cosmetology, skincare and nails). If not, we’d still like to hear your thoughts as the issue can be daunting and is impacting more professionals then ever as our society becomes increasingly mobile.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 7:23 am
We bought a house in Kentucky, we were going to move there from Illinois. , until I found out I would have to take the tests in Kentucky. I hate taking tests, we sold the house after 5 years and stayed in Ill. instead. It was our retirement dream. I am a salon owner and have been in the business for 20 years. I am also a cometology teacher, but I didn’t want the extra hassle. I wish the hours were the same across the states, 1500 seems like a good number, or at least, do change it to -’if you have received a license in any state, it would be accepted in all states, no matter how many hours your state required.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:53 am
Trying to change my license from New York State to North Carolina was a nightmare. At that time (4 years ago), I had been licensed in NY for 24 years and a salon owner for 15 years. It took North Carolina over a year to get the paperwork from NY and you couldn’t get through to the licensing boards for either state by phone or mail! Then I found out that NY state wouldn’t verify my previous address because it considered it “personal information”.
I was therefor unemployed and had to find employment in another field!
When I finally became dual licensed in both states and I was up for renewal of the NC licence, I found that I was grandfathered in to the rule that said that I didn’t have to do any Continuing Ed because I had over 20 years of experience. The problem them became to prove it, since NY State has now started purging there records every so many years.
I believe there should be a NATIONWIDE standard for the hours required for licensure, and for continuing education hours. I also believe there should be a NATIONWIDE data base that would keep all pertanant information on permanent file, such as the year you were licenced and the status of that licence.
I also believe that we should support our National Cosmetolory Association. The more we are involved, the more we can make things happen!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
In 1994 my family relocated to Connecticut from California. The first thing I did was inquire about the CT state cosmetology laws and lisencing. I found that the California lisence was reciprical to Connecticut therefore I had little difficulty in getting a CT lisence. I also found that the New York lisence was reciprical, so I applied for and received a New York state lisence. As I personally had no difficulty in getting the lisences I needed, I admit it would be much easier if we did have one national lisence. However that might take away much needed revenue from the state level which could hurt our industry in the long run by limiting funds for inspections.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:33 am
Having moved to 4 states with my husbands job I can tell you there is a very big need for standardized requirements. I was in Il. then Ky, then Ga. then Mo. and now back to Il. each state we lived in had different requirements and at times it was hard to find the proper place to apply for the new license. i would hardily agree we need to get everyone together on this matter. One thing that I found in all my moves, Everyone’s hair nails and skin needs the same care. Locational differences in style are really the only things I found in my years of being a cosmotologist. If a person keeps up with trends and attends classes on a regular basis they can fit in anywhere, believe me.
Thanks
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I’m not sure how other professions run their licensing for other states (lawyers, doctors, teachers) but it does seem to make sense that a license would be good in any state, not only to lessen the burden for those moving to other areas but also to standarize the training so that quality training was recieved by all. It seems some states require almost no hours while others have a high requirement. You would think our training could be a set standard where licenses’ were accepted in each state with perhaps a review of state ordinances which would keep the state in control. As far as inspections go, they happen so seldom it’s scary for the consumers. We’ve done a poor job in Michigan with keeping salons accountable.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I moved from Massachusetts(1000 hrs.) to Florida(1200 hrs.) 13 yrs ago . And let me tell you that it wasn’t an easy transition to continue my craft here in Florida . I had to do alot of traveling-asking questions to the many hairstylists that I met. I called schools(the one in particular was Florida’s very own community college) that told me I had to go back to school at the tune of another 800.00 to complete the remaining 200 hrs.I had to get a job as a receptionist. I was already on the verge of checking into the poor house! It took me 4 months to be able to work behind the chair again.I called the board and they said I could”challenge” the board. Which meant going to a certified school,taking an 8 hr. technical “Test” which I had to pay a fee for. Then applying for the written test. Which I had to wait until the next available time( they are held only once a month)I had already taken both of these tests in Massachusetts and the tests are exactly the same.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I do not see this as a way to generate revenue for each state!As stated above here——————————- “However that might take away much needed revenue from the state level which could hurt our industry in the long run by limiting funds for inspections.”———-As I believe every state has a renewal fee approx every 2 years.
July 25th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Being a wife of a military man and hairstylist it is a pain to have to jump through hoops for each state. Some states just require an proof of hours and if you have so many years of experience. But when I moved to California that was a different story. I had already been practicing for 15 yrs, but they still wanted me to go back for another 500 hrs and then still take the board. They would even consider the years. My thought is they just want the money. And now I am about to make another move and have to go through this whole ordeal again.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I have just returned from Baden Baden, German from a CIDESCO World Congress. I was there representing the CIDESCO USA Section a NCA Division for Skin Care (EstheticsAmerica). Most of our problems in USA are the the lack of National Standards and uniformed hours. For example Florida only requires 250 for the Esthetics License and Utah requires 1000 hours.
CIDESCO requires 1200 hours for the Diploma. It would be great if we all, including the schools and State Boards, agree on one National standard one national license. It is a cause worth fighting for.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I recently moved from Maryland to New York and found the transition difficult from the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists! Apparently they are so backed up that it took weeks and several calls for the transfer to finally take place.
However, once the New York State Board got the information, it was handled quickly and wonderfully!
I spoke to the New York State Board of Licensing several times and they were both helpful and friendly!
I agree that licensing should be standardized throughout the country.
However, until that day occurs, if you want to move, make sure you stay on top of the transfer. Too many times things can slip through the cracks!
Good luck to those attempting a move!
If the move is worth making, the transfer is worth the wait!
Stay Sassy…Stay Fabulous
August 1st, 2008 at 6:22 am
I’ve never moved from one state to another but we’ve hired people from other states. Each time is a different experience with the state. The problem for us is state board is very inefficient, understaffed and do not know their own rules. And they have only three inspectors for the whole state. What do they do with the millions of dollars in fees we pay them every year?
October 9th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I was also totally frustrated and discouraged a few years ago when my license had lapsed and was told I needed to go back to school for 500 hours, but if I had moved to Indiana there was no such requirement. Coming from Illinois I had already received 1500 hours and had been in the industry for 18 years before it lapsed.
Recently, I began to inquire into obtaining my instructor license and was told since I haven’t worked in the industry for the last two years I would need 1,000 hours versus 500 if I was currently in the industry. (Which I am from home and work for myself.) First off, I am a mature person with bills and a family and don’t have the finances or time for 1000 hours of instruction. The last school I checked wanted $8,500 for this program! I would think that someone with 20 something years in the business should not have to prove anything. I think its all a ploy to make money. It used to be that schools paid you to student teach and assist while you built your hours and experience on the job. Gee…maybe I should check Indiana again!
But, I am in definite agreement that the law should be uniform across the states. The way everyone moves around these days for employment its a real big hassle when it comes to cosmetology licensing.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Hi all sad stylist i’m in total agreement with you all it is very sad to see that the people who run this business of licenseing us don’t seem to understand that the same book is used throughout the united states for our training yet we must go through hell just because we moved …we should all protest the boards and ask for a tranfering fee not retaking test its very sad .
November 13th, 2008 at 12:12 am
I wanted to share with you all that it is indeed as horrible a transition for those in “other professions” I am a California Marriage and Family Therapist that has moved to Virginia because our family needed me to. There is no such thing as reciprocity and endorsement is slow going. I told a friend in California that I would love to be a lobbiest for national standards in all helping professions. As someone above wrote, “What do they dowith the millions of dollars in fees we pay them every year?” I would love to know that as well. California owes me $20.00 for over 4mths now. If any of us tried to not pay for something w’d get late fees and notices of outstanding payment. If we weren’t all scared of the power that the boards hold over us regarding our careers, this nation would be a better place.