Open Letter on Iowa’s Cosmetology Requirements

As a licensed Iowa cosmetologist and an active member of the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), I felt compelled to respond to “Iowa rightly, finally sued over job licensing law,” an editorial published on October 28, 2015. I was very concerned to read the Editorial Board’s statement “An Iowan who wants to work… providing manicures… must fulfill sometimes ridiculous requirements to secure a license.” As a cosmetology school graduate of the Aveda Institute Des Moines, I know firsthand the aforementioned “ridiculous requirement” includes cleanliness and sanitation education requirements. Before receiving my license, I had to prove to the Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences that I could identify ingrown toenail and fungal infections, staph infections, nail separation, permanent nail disfigurement, and others to stop the spread of infectious disease. If those “ridiculous requirements” are removed, we put our clients, and the Iowa consumers, at serious risk.

Not to mention, the public has shown widespread support for professional licensing. A post-election study conducted in December 2012 showed 94% of respondents support requiring their stylist, barber, bail technician or esthetician to be licensed. This is a bi-partisan policy with 97% of Democrats, 92% of Republicans, and 92% of independents supporting licensing.

That being said, PBA is aware that changes must be made, and streamlining of licensing requirements must take place. PBA, as part of the Beauty Industry Working Group (BIWG), is working to suggest the development of consistent standards and recommendations for the professional beauty industry. They support:

· Consistent number of hours for cosmetology schools across the U.S.

· National Testing

· Continuing Education

· License Reciprocity

BIWG has commissioned reports from non-partisan research firms NDP Analytics and the American Institutes for Research to provide fact-based, unbiased data to law makers and the general public. Our industry wants to be part of the solution, and be transparent. The reports and post-election study can be accessed by anyone at probeauty.org/biwg. Kollan Kolthoff Iowa City, Iowa