Utah Lowers Education Standards

Despite best efforts on behalf of ASCP and our skin care advocates, Senate Bill 330 (SB 330) was signed into law. The bill modifies and lowers education standards for cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology by creating an apprenticeship pathway toward licensure and permits. Perhaps the biggest change is that the new apprenticeship hours, which are lower than national averages, are the same as school educational hours. SB 330 also restructures the Cosmetology and Associated Professions Licensing Board.

Read on to learn the substantial training requirement changes you can anticipate in cosmetology and related professions when the bill goes into effect January 1, 2026.

Apprenticeship Training Hours
SB 330 requires approved apprenticeships to be overseen by licensed supervisors who hold the same license the apprentice seeks. The supervisor must provide direct, one-on-one supervision and cannot supervise more than two apprentices during an apprenticeship program.

Apprentices must complete their program within two years and fulfill the following minimum apprenticeship hours to earn a license or permit:

• Cosmetology license: 1,250 apprenticeship hours
• Master esthetics license: 1,200 apprenticeship hours
• Master barber license: 1,000 apprenticeship hours
• Master hair design license: 1,000 apprenticeship hours
• Electrology license: 600 apprenticeship hours
• Nail technology license: 300 apprenticeship hours
• Eyelash and eyebrow technology license: 270 apprenticeship hours
   
• Chemical hair services permit: 260 apprenticeship hours
• Basic esthetics permit: 200 apprenticeship hours
• Haircutting permit: 150 apprenticeship hours
• Barbering permit: 130 apprenticeship hours
• Facial hair removal permit: 50 apprenticeship hours

Students can still choose to attend a licensed school to receive formal training. Required educational hours at a licensed school are the same number as apprenticeship hours.

License Transitions
SB 330 also eliminated and renamed some licensing categories. Beginning January 1, 2026:

• A cosmetology/barbering license will be renewed as a cosmetology license
  • Individuals can choose to refer to themselves as either a cosmetologist or barber
  • Individuals with existing barbering licenses may continue to renew their license as a barbering license
• A hair design license will be renewed as a master hair design license or a master barbering license
• Individuals with existing esthetics licenses may continue to renew their license as an esthetics license

After January 1, 2026, the Division of Professional Licensing will not issue esthetics or barbering licenses, unless:

• An individual has registered for an 800-hour esthetics apprenticeship program before January 1, 2026
• An individual has enrolled in and started a 600-hour esthetics training program with a licensed school on or before January 1, 2026
• An individual has registered for a 1,250-hour barbering apprenticeship program before January 1, 2026
• An individual has enrolled in and started a 1,000-hour barbering training program with a licensed school on or before January 1, 2026

Instructor Applications
SB 330 changes instructor requirements. Individuals may apply for an instructor license with a valid license and proof of six months of work experience. The individual must complete an instructor training program or on-the-job instructor training and meet exam requirements.

Board Membership
The bill changes industry representation on the Cosmetology and Associated Professions Licensing Board (Board) by amending board membership. Master estheticians and electrologist instructors are now permitted to apply for a position on the Board, while eyelash/eyebrow technicians and eyelash/eyebrow technician instructors may not. In addition, the following seats have been created:

• One representative of a licensed, publicly funded school
• One representative of a licensed, privately funded school

Exemptions
The bill exempts threading from licensing or permitting requirements and defines threading as a method of removing hair from the eyebrows, upper lip, or other body parts by using cotton thread to pull hair from follicles without the use of chemicals, heat, or wax. If an individual offers only threading services, they do not need a license or permit to practice.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026