DES MOINES, Iowa—Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 711, a historic bill that will allow aspiring professionals to provide barbering and cosmetology services without a license so long as they operate under the supervision of a licensed barber or beauty professional. This program is the first of its kind in the nation and represents a major breakthrough against outdated regulations that force aspiring artists into traditional schools, and often into debt or out of the industry altogether. As a recognized leader who has helped people in Iowa and across the nation reduced regulatory barriers to work in the beauty and barbering industries, the Institute for Justice (IJ) applauds the signing of the bill.
“This is a day to celebrate,” said IJ Director of Legislation Meagan Forbes. “A huge barrier to meaningful work has been removed in Iowa, giving people who have the desire and ability the chance to work in barbering and cosmetology.”
Prior to the enactment of HF 711, Iowa had some of the most burdensome licensing laws for barbers in the country, requiring 1,550 hours in school or 2,000 hours in a structured apprenticeship—followed by two state exams. This inflexible and burdensome system held many barbers back—both those seeking to break into the industry and those who wanted to teach the next generation. Full-service cosmetologists are required to get 2,100 hours of costly training. By comparison, emergency medical technicians, dental assistants, pharmacy technicians, school bus drivers, pesticide applicators, unarmed security guards, and most types of building contractors all require less training than barbers.
The Iowa Barber Coalition—a group of barbers and aspiring barbers throughout the state—celebrate the signing.
“This is the culmination of over a year of hard work from everyone involved,” said Iowa Barber Coalition member, and owner of Universal Barbershop, Craig Hunt. “We asked for this legislation because our industry needed profound change. Now we have that change and its impact will be felt throughout the state and well into the future for all aspiring barber and beauty professionals.”
“This was a bill that’s time has come. The bill was supported by people from all over the state and had overwhelming support from the legislature,” said IJ Activism Special Projects Coordinator Tom Solomon. “It’s now time for other states to follow Iowa’s example and create alternatives to similar, costly licensing barriers so people have every opportunity to thrive.”
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To arrange interviews on this subject, journalists may contact Phillip Suderman, IJ’s Communications Project Manager, at [email protected] or (850) 376-4110. More information on the case is available at: https://ij.org/report/license-to-work-3/ltw-occupation-profile/barber/