Behind the Chair dropped an article on October 15, 2021, covering SB 803 which is a bill in California regarding cosmetology schooling and licensure requirements. The bill was signed into law as of October 7, 2021. Ashli Albert, stylist and Paul Mitchell Learning Leader for over 10 years, and Gina Bianca, owner of The Network, stylist, industry educator and role model for over 10 years, share their thoughts and experience to take this conversation deeper. We’ll explore its pros and cons, how it elevates the beauty industry, and much more.

What is SB 803?

The Practical Exam

Previously, California required both written and practical [hands-on] exams before licensure. The cosmetologist written exam is 100 questions with 120 minutes to complete. The cosmetologist practical exam is estimated to last 4 hours. It is an extremely rigid process demanding high attention to detail. It is a grueling test, and takes a lot of preparation. 

So, what does it mean to remove the practical exam? 

The practical can be considered to be robotic in the sense that its tasks are extremely calculated. Students in school are simultaneously learning necessary material while preparing to pass this exam. In order to meet time constraints, it’s critical to practice, practice, practice to retain muscle memory. If it’s all muscle memory, it’s incredibly feasible to pass a practical exam without fundamental understanding of how to do hair in a salon setting. 

Ashli Albert vouches, “...lowering it [schooling hours] to 1,000, while also taking away the practical, means that schools can spend the 1,000 hours actually focused on what students will need in the salon.” Based on how the practical is run, you can conclude it does not model salon life. Time constraints, unrealistic tasks, artificial product… Valuable time is spent completing drills for the practical which instead can, and should, be utilized targeting how students can succeed using their skills in real life.

Bottom Line: 

“Taking a practical would be easier for some, or taking a written would be easier for some… It’s ensuring that you have at least a baseline of knowledge, but passing any test is not a true indication of future success.” -- Ashli

1,600 to 1,000 Hours

SB 803 is changing cosmetology school requirements from 1600 to 1000, and current stylists may argue 1,000 hours is not enough schooling or that reducing the hours illegitimizes the beauty industry. However, beauty schools provide the foundation for understanding basics of theory, color formulation, haircutting, proper sanitation and disinfection, and guest care. 

Are you taking advantage of your educators? Are you participating by asking questions, coming in early, and staying late?

Are you saying “YES” to opportunities? What you put in, you’ll get out. 

The blunt truth is regardless of schooling hours, it is our duty and responsibility as licensed professionals to continue to invest in ourselves and our career. Ashli reiterates: “You get a foundation, and it’s what you do with it afterwards.” Especially, now in the industry, most stylists have chosen a niche or a specialty. The importance of outside education cannot be stressed enough to expand your arsenal of techniques and improve your skills to create success behind the chair. 

Reducing the hours is also creating more opportunities for people to enter the beauty industry. Completing school can be a tremendous mountain for some to climb in terms of time, finances, or both. Students come from varying backgrounds and walks of life, and making cosmetology licenses more attainable is game changing. 

Gina Bianca’s opinion is:

“I believe schooling should be able to be completed online for theory and as an apprenticeship in salons. Salons have such a hard time finding help today that pushing education into the salon would be beneficial for students to be forced to find work and for salons to take ownership of the education. Apprenticeships are how many countries do this and in America schooling has simply become a business. I believe the program should be easier, faster, and more focused for people to get licensed!” 

Gina’s point that American schooling has become a business ties into Ashli’s comment: “... a reduction of hours should mean a reduction of tuition.” 

Bottom Line: 

Reducing hours makes becoming a cosmetologist more realistic. Continuing education is a MUST to be successful in the beauty industry. Schooling tuition should be lowered to align with the cutback of hours. 

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