Title: An act relating to the cosmetology apprenticeship program.

Brief Description: Modifying provisions for the cosmetology apprenticeship program.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, McDonald, Conway, Wood, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Rodne, McCoy, Morrell and Ormsby).

Brief History:

Commerce & Labor: 1/26/06, 1/30/06 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/10/06, 98-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 3/2/06, 48-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 3/4/06, 95-0.
Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Crouse, Holmquist, Hudgins, Kenney and McCoy.

Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7103).

Background:

Generally, individuals training for a license in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, or manicuring must attend a cosmetology school licensed by the Department of Licensing (Department). The requirements for becoming licensed as a cosmetologist include graduating from a licensed cosmetology school and passing an examination.

In 2003, a pilot program was established for cosmetology apprenticeships, with up to 20 participating salons. Under the pilot program, individuals may become licensed in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, or manicuring by successfully completing a state-approved apprenticeship program and passing the appropriate licensing exam. Apprentices are allowed to receive wages while in the pilot program.

The Department adopted various rules related to the apprenticeship pilot program including rules requiring participating salon/shops to keep certain apprentice records, establishing training requirements, requiring participating salon/shops to post a notice to consumers, and requiring apprentices to wear identification visible to the public.

An advisory committee, coordinated by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council appointed by the Department of Labor and Industries, was responsible for coordinating the apprenticeship pilot program and presenting a report to the Legislature. The apprenticeship pilot program expires July 1, 2006.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The cosmetology apprenticeship pilot program is extended until July 1, 2008. The program's advisory committee must submit an updated report, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program, to the Legislature by December 31, 2007. An intent statement outlines additional evaluation criteria, including the number of apprentices who complete the program and pass the licensing examination and a formal review of any impact that the expansion of the program may have on the enrollment of traditional cosmetology schools.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The bill makes permanent a very successful cosmetology apprenticeship program. It incorporates features that made the program strong. The standards are approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. The program has appropriate standards for classroom theory training as well. In cosmetology schools, students cannot be paid, but apprenticeship is an opportunity to "learn and earn." The training results in high quality employees, because both parties are very invested in a successful outcome. The students are very excited about the hands-on learning they receive in this program. The apprenticeship program had several objectives in addition to turning out high quality employees, including raising the wage standards in the industry, retaining employees, and increasing the number of salons training their employees. The program set a wage ladder which increased wages by 30 percent in the first year of training. More work, however, needs to be done on the management practices side of training. All apprentices in the program so far have passed the examination with higher than average scores. There are 13 salons participating currently. This type of training is best for employees and the clientele.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Kenney, prime sponsor; Dennis Jenson; Noah Fosbre; Randy Loomans, Operating Engineers, Local 302; Miriam Lopez; Jamie Valentine; and Trudie Touchette, Department of Licensing.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.