Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1547346
8 AHP Indie Stylist Volume 7 Issue 2 If you're part of the cosmetology education community, you may have an idea of how varied cosmetology education requirements are across the country. Over half the states require about 1,500 hours of education for cosmetologists. e rest of the states vary, with a few nearing 2,000 hours and others dipping as low as 1,000. en we wade into the quagmire of license tiers, where you might see 1,500 hours required for a cosmetologist but only 1,000 required for a hairstylist. Suffice to say, there is a disconnect among policy leaders across the country about what constitutes an appropriate education for a hair professional. at disconnect isn't limited to lawmakers either. ere's no consensus within the profession on the amount of education needed to prepare a cosmetologist to get behind the chair without making the program so lengthy or dense that students struggle to finish it or pay for it. at's a problem. e leaders of our profession need to agree on critical issues like program length and curriculum to help lawmakers dra bills that control education requirements. IN FAVOR OF REDUCTION Many people argue the education hours for cosmetologists are too high, particularly in comparison to other hands-on professions, like esthetics and massage, which can be around 600 hours for some programs. If we are to examine the potential upsides of reducing hours, let's start with the obvious: A lower barrier to entry means it's less time-consuming and less expensive to enter the profession. With education costing more than before, this could be an enticing prospect. A lower cost of education means less time paying off student loans. Fewer hours would make programs more flexible for students who juggle families and other careers. When education becomes less expensive, enrollment increases, which could be a win for salons struggling to hire or rent booths. A reduction could also help individuals who don't want to practice the full range of cosmetology, like those who want to focus only on hair braiding or wig installation. It could also benefit schools, encouraging higher enrollment and reducing administrative burden. Reducing hours to standardize requirements across states would help cosmetologists moving across state lines and seeking licensure by endorsement. ADVOCACY UNSPLASH AHP Cosmetology Education How much is enough? by Laura Puryear