Beauty Industry Leaders Form Coalition to Reform Industry Standards and Protect Consumers Against Dangerous Deregulation Measures

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leaders in the professional beauty industry announced today the official launch of The Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition (FBIC) to advocate for reforms that strengthen and streamline hour requirements for licensure by advocating for the reduction in the hours required for licensure with the goal of standardizing at 1,000 hours in all states.

The coalition was formed by major industry leaders representing students, licensed stylists, salon business owners, manufacturers, distributors, and school owners to advocate for reforms that streamline industry standards and protect against licensing deregulation. One national standard of 1,000 cosmetology school hours aligns with the coalition's effort to advocate for continuing education, national testing, and license mobility — reforms that will create flexibility, lower barriers to entry, decrease student loan debt, and protect consumers against the deregulation of licensed beauty professionals.

Today's occupational licensure model is inconsistent across the country and fails to keep up with the current economy, while burdening students with increased debt. Independent research conducted by the coalition shows that increased licensing hours do not correlate to increased exam passing rates or increased wages.  However, proper baseline training and entry-level licensure is necessary to keep the public safe. 

Professional Beauty Association Executive Director and FBIC Board Member Steve Sleeper commented, "The Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition is working with state governments to enact common sense reforms to the cosmetology occupational licensing process. Ultimately, our work will positively impact the licensing process and support our salon owners who have a high demand for new licensed stylists. Industry-guided reform, focused on a national standard for cosmetology licensing, is the best way to support our future licensed salon professionals, while at the same time creating more employment opportunities."

Rhoda Olsen, President of The International SalonSpa Business Network, said, "Demand is high for beauty professionals across the county and the Bureau of Labor Statistics has said that our industry is poised to grow 10 percent during the next decade, surpassing all other occupations reviewed by the BLS. We must take the best approach to properly move students into the workforce to fill those job openings while maintaining health and safety standards for our clients."

Throughout their education, licensed professionals study skin and scalp care, anatomy, biology, chemistry, and science-based infection control.  Upon completion of education and verification via testing, licensed professionals are trained to utilize chemicals and tools safely to avoid injuries and the spread of infectious diseases. Governed by their individual state board of barbering and cosmetology, each state also has in place a consumer complaint resolution process that includes sending inspectors to examine establishments, conducting hearings to address consumer complaints, and assessing appropriate fines and penalties.

For more information on The Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition, visit http://futurebeautyindustrycoalition.com

The Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition brings together — licensed stylists, salon owners, manufacturers, distributors, state cosmetology boards, students and schools — in order to build a stronger industry.  Members include: Empire Education Group, BlueCo Brands, the Professional Beauty Association, and The International SalonSpa Business Network.

SOURCE The Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition

Related Links

http://futurebeautyindustrycoalition.com