New state laws may benefit Yuma’s beauty industry
On Tuesday, 14 new laws went into effect in Arizona, ranging from transportation, health care, crime, and even the legalization of nunchucks.
The beauty industry is popular in Yuma and there may be some positive effects of some of these new laws on the trade.
House Bill 2569 creates a universal licensing recognition program for trade professionals like eye doctors, real estate agents, and cosmetologists.
Beginning August 27, this policy makes it easier for hairstylists and other cosmetology practitioners who are licensed in other states, to move to Arizona and continue working without having to apply for a new license.
Denise Romero received her cosmetology license over 25 years ago from Beebe’s Academy of Beauty and is currently the director and instructor at the school.
Romero explained, ” Now with an existing license, it’s way easier. You apply, pay your fee and you can obtain the same license, in the state of Arizona. ”
Beauty professionals no longer have to retake training and education programs required for new applicants.
However, the cosmetologist must be licensed or certified for at least one year in another state and be in good standing with the state board.
The new legislation also eliminates licensing requirements for shampoo and blow-dry services.
Romero said those services are not completely regulated by the state but professionals must complete a course on sanitation and infection control before working in a salon.
Then, the professional’s certification is limited to shampooing and blow-drying clients’ hair; no use of chemicals, dyes, or altering hair.
” It is going to help us to provide services to those clients that are on-the-go, and they just want to have their hair shampooed and dried, ” she said.
Romero believes the new laws will bring more job opportunities to the Desert Southwest, especially for those who may be interested in opening or working at a blow-dry bar; where customers can exclusively receive a wash and blow-dry by an unlicensed professional.
Blow-dry bars are a booming trend in big cities.
