HF4430 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Board of Cosmetologist Examiners provisions modified.
Related bill: SF4217
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill seeks to update Minnesota’s cosmetology laws by reshaping the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners, updating definitions, and setting new rules for licensing, fees, and oversight of salons, schools, and instructors. It also adds new licensing paths (like temporary military licenses), clarifies standards for nonresident and foreign-trained applicants, and moves toward more uniform licensing timelines.
Key Provisions
Board composition and qualifications
- The Board of Cosmetologist Examiners would have seven members: two cosmetologists (one chosen with input from a professional association of cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians), two school instructors (one from a public cosmetology school and one from a private cosmetology school in Minnesota), one advanced practice esthetician, one nail technician, and one public member.
- Members must be licensed in their field, have at least five years of practice, have a high school education or equivalent, and know the relevant statutes and rules.
- Board operations would follow current Minnesota rules for compensation, vacancies, and administration (as defined in Chapter 214).
Definitions and scope
- Updated terms include: Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Manager, Salon, School, School Administrator, and Practitioner, each with specific Minnesota definitions.
- A Salon can be an indoor space for services; homes of customers are allowed only under board health/infection control rules.
- School definitions include what constitutes a cosmetology school and distinctions for community education programs.
Licensing categories and processes
- License categories include Practitioner, Manager, Instructor, Salon, and School, each with three-year license terms.
- Fees are established for initial licenses, renewals, and applications (see “Fees and Timelines” below).
- The board must issue or deny a complete license application within set timeframes (15 working days for non-expedited, 5 business days for expedited or temporary military cases).
- A new School Administrator definition is added to align who can operate a school (e.g., proprietors, managing partners, authorized officers, or specific school leaders in state systems).
Temporary and military licensing
- Temporary military licenses would be available for eligible cosmetology fields, valid for a three-year licensing period, and limited to one temporary license per applicant.
- A provision ties into a broader framework for temporary licenses via a separate section (197.4552).
Nonresident and international applicants
- Nonresident applicants may be licensed if they’ve completed school with equal or greater hour requirements, hold an active out-of-state/country license, and pass board-approved theory and practice exams plus Minnesota’s written exam.
- Tests should be translated into the nonresident’s native language if possible.
- Licenses under this provision would not be issued for managers or instructors.
- Applicants with foreign training must provide official English translations.
Reciprocity with barbers
- A new provision allows a Minnesota barber to receive up to 500 credit hours toward cosmetology or hair technology licensing if they are actively registered in Minnesota at the time of applying.
Compliance, penalties, and fees
- The bill sets specific fee schedules for licenses and penalties, including inspections and license display requirements.
- Penalties cover reinspection fees, expired licenses, failure to display licenses, improper tools, violations related to independent contractor arrangements, late renewal fees, and other infractions.
- Administrative fees cover items like name changes, certification of licensure, duplicate licenses, special event permits, homebound service permits, and expedited processing.
Repeal
- The bill would repeal a prior statute (155A.275), simplifying or consolidating older provisions.
Changes to Existing Law
- Restructures the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners with a specific, diverse seven-member composition and clear eligibility criteria.
- Updates key terms and definitions (cosmetologist, esthetician, manager, salon, school, practitioner) and expands the scope of practice guidance (e.g., home-based services allowed under rules).
- Creates new or revised license categories and aligns expiration dates and renewal processes across practitioner, manager, instructor, salon, and school licenses.
- Introduces a three-year licensing cycle with detailed fee schedules for each license type.
- Adds temporary military licenses and streamlines the process for expedited licenses and military considerations.
- Establishes nonresident licensure pathways with language translation considerations and restricts nonresident licensure to certain categories.
- Establishes a reciprocity path with Minnesota barbers for up to 500 hours credit toward required cosmetology hours.
- Provides timelines for board decisions on applications and standardizes penalties and administrative fees.
Licenses, Fees, and Timelines (highlights)
- Three-year license terms for all major licenses (practitioner, manager, instructor, salon, school) with specified fee splits (license + application).
- Initial:
- Practitioner/Manager/Instructor: total $195 (license $155 + application $40)
- Salon: total $350 (license $250 + application $100)
- School: total $4,000 (license $3,000 + application $1,000)
- Renewals:
- Practitioner: $115 total (license $100 + application $15)
- Manager/Instructor: $145 total (license $130 + application $15)
- Salon: $225 total (license $175 + application $50)
- School: $2,500 total (license $2,000 + application $500)
- Penalties (examples):
- Reinspection: $150
- Expired licenses: various amounts depending on type (ranging up to $1,000 for certain renewals)
- Failure to display license: $100
- Violations related to tools, practices, or independent contractor arrangements: typically $200–$500
Administrative fees:
- Homebound service permit: $50
- Name changes: $20
- Certification of licensure: $30
- Duplicate license: $20
- Special event permit: $75/year
- Expedited licensing options: $150 (individual) and $300 (salon)
- Continuing education provider approvals: $150/year for each
Timelines for license decisions:
- Non-expedited applications: board must issue or deny within 15 working days of complete application and fees.
- Expedited or temporary military: board must act within 5 business days, with some conditions for additional review if needed.
Temporary military license
- Issued under section 197.4552 guidelines, valid for a three-year licensing period; only one per applicant.
Nonresident licensing and translation
- Translations of test materials into the applicant’s native language when feasible.
- Managers and instructors not eligible for nonresident licensure under this pathway.
Reciprocity with barbers
- Eligible barbers may receive up to 500 hours credit toward Minnesota cosmetology/hair technology licensing if currently registered and active.
Relevant Terms
- Board of Cosmetologist Examiners
- cosmetology
- esthetician / esthetics
- advanced practice esthetician
- nail technician
- hair technology
- eyelash technology
- practitioner
- manager
- instructor
- salon
- school
- school administrator
- public member
- nonresident license
- temporary military license
- reciprocity
- translations (translated exams)
- three-year licensing period
- fees (initial, renewal, application)
- penalties (reinspection, expired licenses, display of license, etc.)
- homebound service permit
- independent contractor (owner/manager vs. operator)
- barber reciprocity (credit hours)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 18, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | State Government Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specifies seven-member board composition: two cosmetologists (one recommended by a professional association), two school instructors (one from a public school and one from a private school in Minnesota), one advanced practice esthetician, one nail technician, and one public member."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 155A.20 to establish the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners and outline its composition, terms, and related governance.",
"modified": [
"Reformats and consolidates board creation, composition, and governance requirements; aligns with sections 214.07–214.09 and 214.02 for staffing and operations."
]
},
"citation": "155A.20",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines Cosmetologist in Subd.4 (for compensation) as a person who provides personal services for cosmetic care of hair, nails, and skin as described in Subd.3.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the definition of cosmetologist referenced in licensing requirements; anchors terminology to Subd.3 definitions."
]
},
"citation": "155A.23",
"subdivision": "4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines Esthetician in Subd.5 (for compensation) with scope of practice focused on cosmetic care of the epidermal surface.",
"modified": [
"Expands and clarifies definitions related to esthetician within the scope of practice."
]
},
"citation": "155A.23",
"subdivision": "5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines Manager in Subd.8 and the licensed roles that qualify (cosmetologist, esthetician, advanced practice esthetician, hair technician, nail technician, eyelash technician) and requires a manager license.",
"modified": [
"Adds or clarifies the 'Manager' definition to include multiple licensed roles and the requirement for a manager license."
]
},
"citation": "155A.23",
"subdivision": "8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines Salon in Subd.9, including its indoor space purpose and exclusions (home of a customer), with Board authority to regulate home-based practice.",
"modified": [
"Sets scope of what constitutes a salon and assigns the Board authority to regulate related health and infection control aspects, including home settings."
]
},
"citation": "155A.23",
"subdivision": "9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines School in Subd.10 with criteria for teaching cosmetology; includes exclusions for certain community education and self-improvement activities.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies what constitutes a school for cosmetology instruction and sets boundaries for continuing education and non-professional community education."
]
},
"citation": "155A.23",
"subdivision": "10"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines Practitioner in Subd.18 as any person licensed in specific cosmetology-related practices.",
"modified": [
"Broadens practitioner scope to include operators in cosmetology, esthiology, advanced esthiology, hair technology, nail technology, and eyelash technology."
]
},
"citation": "155A.23",
"subdivision": "18"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Establishes the Schedule for fees and penalties (Subd.1a) for licenses and renewals.",
"modified": [
"Sets forth fee structure for licenses, renewals, and penalties across practitioner, manager, instructor, salon, and school licenses."
]
},
"citation": "155A.25",
"subdivision": "1a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses Other licenses and the payment requirements when licensing in a second category.",
"modified": [
"Requires full license and application fees for second-category licensing; clarifies renewal fee obligations when holding multiple licenses."
]
},
"citation": "155A.25",
"subdivision": "3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Sets board-imposed license application timeline (within 15 working days) and decision options.",
"modified": [
"Establishes timelines for licensing decisions and delineates conditions for additional review after application."
]
},
"citation": "155A.25",
"subdivision": "5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses Temporary military licenses and expedited licensing timelines.",
"modified": [
"Specifies timeframes for issuing or denying expedited or temporary licenses for military-related applicants."
]
},
"citation": "155A.25",
"subdivision": "7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Temporary military license (Subd.5a) provisions for various license types and a temporary license validity period.",
"modified": [
"Adds or clarifies temporary military licensing provisions and validity period; aligns with section 197.4552."
]
},
"citation": "155A.27",
"subdivision": "5a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Nonresident licenses (Subd.10) requirements for licensing cosmetologists and related roles.",
"modified": [
"Specifies licensure requirements for nonresident applicants, including state/country licensing equivalency and examination requirements."
]
},
"citation": "155A.27",
"subdivision": "10"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to sections 155A.21 through 155A.36 informing knowledge requirements for board members.",
"modified": [
"Acknowledge knowledge of related statutory sections as part of board member qualifications."
]
},
"citation": "155A.21",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to sections 155A.21 through 155A.36 informing knowledge requirements for board members.",
"modified": [
"Acknowledge knowledge of related statutory sections as part of board member qualifications."
]
},
"citation": "155A.36",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 214.02 used in defining public member qualifications or related governance.",
"modified": [
"Links board staffing and operations to public governance provisions under chapter 214."
]
},
"citation": "214.02",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 214.07 (and related sections 214.08 and 214.09) governing board operations and fiscal requirements.",
"modified": [
"Ensures board operations conform to provisions in 214.07–214.09."
]
},
"citation": "214.07",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 214.08.",
"modified": [
"Ensures board operations conform to provisions in 214.07–214.09."
]
},
"citation": "214.08",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 214.09.",
"modified": [
"Ensures board operations conform to provisions in 214.07–214.09."
]
},
"citation": "214.09",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to section 155A.355 (health and infection control rules).",
"modified": [
"References health/infection control requirements under 155A.355."
]
},
"citation": "155A.355",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Subdivision 1 under 155A.355 (health and infection control rules).",
"modified": [
"Details the application of health and infection control standards to practice and training."
]
},
"citation": "155A.355",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Temporary licensing alignment with section 197.4552, Subd. 2 for temporary licenses.",
"modified": [
"References to temporary licensing provision aligned with code in 197.4552."
]
},
"citation": "197.4552",
"subdivision": "2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"Repeals existing statute 155A.275."
],
"summary": "Repeal of Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 155A.275.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "155A.275",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee