If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times: An up-to-date license is absolutely key to a cosmetology career.

If you’re a cosmetologist or future cosmetologist, put on your big girl panties and make sure you’re a legal practitioner in your state. Yes, there’s an exam, and yes, it costs money, but it’s not about you. It’s about protecting consumers and maintaining safety standards.

As for the consumers out there, if you’re looking for beauty services, don’t trust someone just because they call themselves a “cosmetologist.” Make sure you see their license. Make sure you double-check with state licensing agencies.

These reminders come after last Thursday’s conviction of Elsa Then, a Bronx woman who was accused in the 2009 death of Fiordaliza Pichardo, as reported by The New York Daily News. Then had been running an illegal – but successful – cosmetology practice when Pichardo came to her to receive silicone injections into her rear end and thighs. The day after the injections, Pichardo died from cardiac arrest after some of the silicone entered her bloodstream and got lodged in her lungs.

Pichardo’s daughter, who was present at the treatment, testified that Then had used Bounty paper towels and Krazy Glue to seal the injection site.

Then was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and faces up to four years in prison.

Now, obviously, this is an extreme example, and just because a cosmetologist is unlicensed doesn’t mean that they are a deadly weapon poised to kill again. But it should serve as a wake-up call that the most important part of the beauty profession is executing services in a clean, sanitary environment using safe techniques. It is unacceptable to practice cosmetology and dangerous to patronize any cosmetologist who doesn’t uphold their licensure and maintain the highest standards.

Great hair, great skin, great nails – that’s all of the fun stuff. Protecting our clients’ health and well-being while they’re in our chairs – that’s the baseline. No exceptions.

In some states like Virginia, officials are asking for a bigger percent when barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists get their cosmetology state licenses. The Virginia Board of  Cosmetology has proposed almost doubling the license fees for individuals and facilities it regulates.

The current cosmetology license fee for barbers, cosmetologists and nail technicians to get a cosmetology license is $75. The cost covers validation for two years. The board has propose nearly doubling this fee and charging $140 to obtain a two year license.

“It’s reflecting the increased cost of doing business,” said Mary Vaughn, the director of communications, legislation and consumer education at the state Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Increasing this fee would also cause other licensing fees to rise. Licensing fees for salons and other facilities also would increase from $115 to $225. Licensing fees for beauty schools would go from $145 to $255.

Why the big increases? Is it really necessary? The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology says it needs the fee increases because the agency is self-supporting. The Board’s side is they rely on the fees to cover the costs for its operations, which include inspectors’ salaries and website management.

The proposal was approved by Jim Cheng, Virginia’s secretary of commerce of trade, this past April. The licensing fee increases are now waiting for Gov. Bob McDonnell’s signature. Upon signature the higher fees would do into effect immediately. To see what all the old and new proposed fees are for all areas of beauty in Virginia, visit http://snipurl.com/va_fees

State law requires all individuals employed in barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, hair braiding, tattooing, body-piercing, esthetics and hair braiding to have a valid issued by the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology. For questions, contact the Virginia State Board of Cosmetology.

Logging into TweetDeck yesterday, this flashed across my screen: “Soooo… i can’t wear heels higher than 1 1/2 inch to cosmetology school?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”

Tweeting her back, I asked. “Really??? Is that a new rule?”

She sure enough confirmed. The cosmetology program at Trezevant Career and Technology has a one and a half inch heel requirement, which is part of the Memphis City School Stands. Should a rule like this really be instated? At first I thought, this could cause morning dress preparation problems. What if your wardrobe has mainly two inch heels, which are only a tiny half inch higher than the cosmetology dress code standards? According to this rule, you would have to put them all into hiding until getting your cosmetology license and graduating from cosmetology school. My second thought was though, if you are standing on your feet all day practicing and training, why would you want to wear super high heels? The soreness could disturb you and get in the way of your focus, preventing your from demonstrating your best work. My third thought was in the salon I go to get my haircut, almost every girl in the shop is wearing heels higher than one and half inches. If salons allow this in the real world, shouldn’t your training prepare you fully for the real world?

Looking further into this, Paul Mitchell has a strict dress code also as commented by fellow students on the web. One student wrote, “I went to a Paul Mitchell partner school, and you have to wear all black, except on certain days they’ll allow you to wear jeans with no rips. You need your name tag on and closed toe black shoes, and your makeup and hair has to be done. No buns. No ponytails. Braids, updos or wear your hair down. Friends have gotten sent home to put on makeup because they didn’t have makeup on.”

No ponytails allowed and sent home from school for not wearing makeup? One could view this as strict. Another could view this as a hardcore training program to make their students strive for their full potential in their clients work and on themselves. For best practices and dress code, I suppose to each its own and that’s what sets the good cosmetologists apart from the best.

Finally! A resolution has been reached for hair braiders licensing laws, bringing much relief. To catch up on the licensed hair braider versus women who braid hair debate, read our previous entry on “Should Hair Braiders Be Required To Have a Cosmetology License?”

The answer to this proposed question is – sort of. Hair braiders won’t be required to get the typical cosmetology license but rather a simpler and special license to braid hair. Before, they were required to go to cosmetology school and pass the state cosmetology exam to become licensed. Sounds simple enough, but throw in the $15,000 cost for school and the language struggle of having English as a second language, and this becomes a difficult feat.

Under the new law, which goes into effect January 1, 2011, hair braiders can apply for a special hair braiding license. The license will require 300 hours of training on hair technique and sanitation methods. A win-win for both sides; hair braiders will be able to stay in business and customers won’t have to worry finding business elsewhere.