State Rep. Bill Roemer | The Ohio House of Representatives
State Rep. Bill Roemer | The Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 158, a legislative measure aimed at modernizing the statutes governing the Cosmetology and Barber Board. The bill, which received unanimous support, was jointly sponsored by State Representatives Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland).
The House accepted several amendments from the Senate, including provisions from Senate Bill 89, known as the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. Among other changes, the bill specifies that the minimum passing score for the barber examination cannot exceed 75%. Additionally, it permits the Secretary of State to appoint and commission police officers for hospitals operated by public or nonprofit hospital agencies.
"The updates included in House Bill 158 will reduce barriers for students getting their barbering and cosmetology licenses," said Roemer. "These changes will lead to better opportunities for barbers, cosmetologists, customers, and businesses."
Since its consolidation in 2017 from two separate boards into one entity, the Cosmetology and Barber Board had not seen corresponding adjustments in legislation. Miller emphasized this point: "Since the State Boards of Cosmetology and Barbering were combined into one board in 2017, we have seen the need to harmonize sections of the Ohio Revised Code on Cosmetology and Barbering to match. I am confident that these and other changes that update our code will serve to encourage the Barber and Cosmetology industry to grow and thrive in Ohio."
Key provisions of House Bill 158 include:
- Creating a unified barbering/cosmetology school license.
- Enhancing license reciprocity from other states.
- Reducing fines for disciplinary actions.
- Establishing temporary pre-examination work permits for barbers.
- Lowering the age requirement to apply for a barber license or start barbering school to 16 years.
- Eliminating an additional 200-hour training requirement before re-taking the licensing exam.
- Preventing interest or penalty fees on unpaid fines.
- Creating an independent contractor license while eliminating “shop within a shop” licenses.
- Creating a process to designate a license as “inactive.”
- Allowing the board to independently set passing scores for exams.
The bill does not alter current training hour requirements for initial licensure. It now awaits Governor DeWine’s signature.
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