Legislation changing education, licensing requirements had local input

Bill would remove need for professionals to get special education to teach.

The thousands of hours of instruction and specialized licenses will still be there for those wanting to jump into the beauty industry in Wisconsin.  

There are, however, some changes likely coming.  

Local cosmetology school owners like what they see in proposals to update requirements for those in the beauty industry.

Bill Feehan is vice president at Salon Professional Academy in Onalaska, Wis. He and his wife, Sue Kolve were involved in crafting state legislation that changes education and licensing requirements for cosmetologists, manicurists and others.

“What we see as the primary benefit is that it preserves licensure of cosmetology, which we think is important because preserving that licensure creates a clear standard for employers like us,” Feehan said.

Among other things in the two bills getting a look by Wisconsin lawmakers is the removal of the need for professionals to get a special certification to teach.   

“Part of this is just common sense,” Feehan said. “It’s going to make it a little easier for people who want to make the transition from being a cosmetologist to being an educator.”

They didn’t get everything they might have wanted but some key issues have been addressed. The legislation would, among other things, remove continuing education requirements for industry professionals. Feehan says that will actually cost their school some money.

“We try to approach this form the standpoint of what makes sense from a regulation standpoint,” Feehan said. “Some of the things that are in here are going to help us and some of them might work against us a little bit.”