SENATE BILL REPORT
EHB 1874
As of March 14, 2025
Title: An act relating to requiring training for cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and hair designers on the care, styling, and treatment of textured hair.
Brief Description: Requiring training for cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and hair designers on the care, styling, and treatment of textured hair.
Sponsors: Representatives Morgan, Entenman, Reeves, Hill, Donaghy, Reed, Street, Berg, Taylor, Scott, Thomas, Ryu, Thai, Salahuddin, Berry, Gregerson, Parshley, Doglio, Nance, Caldier, Simmons, Peterson, Macri, Obras, Pollet, Zahn, Ormsby and Duerr.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/3/25, 92-5.
Committee Activity: Labor & Commerce: 3/14/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Department of Licensing to add training on the care, styling, and treatment of textured hair to the training curricula for cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and hair designers.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE
Staff: Marlon Llanes (786-7423)
Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) regulates cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, hair design, and the instructors of these professions.  DOL issues licenses and ensures compliance with professional standards and laws.  To be eligible for a license, a student or apprentice must pass an exam and meet specified training requirements.

 

The director of DOL establishes the training curricula by rules.  Curriculum means the courses of study taught at a school, online training by a school, in an approved apprenticeship program established by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council and conducted in an approved salon, or online training by an approved apprenticeship program.  Each curriculum must include a specified number of required hours.

 

For example, under DOL rules, the minimum training requirements for cosmetology include:

  • at least 100 hours of skills in the application of certain services such as manicuring and pedicuring;
  • training on certain subjects including, among other things, theory of the practice of cosmetology, hair styling, and first aid; and
  • some training involving subjects that are not mannequins.
Summary of Bill:

The director of DOL must add training on the care, styling, and treatment of textured hair to the training curricula for cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and hair designers that includes the following:

  • techniques for cutting, styling, and chemically treating textured hair;
  • instruction on products and tools specifically designed for textured hair;
  • best practices for hair health and scalp care for clients with textured hair; and
  • cultural competency and historical education on the significance of textured hair in diverse communities.

 

Textured hair means hair that, rather than lying straight, naturally has a distinct shape or pattern such as coils, curls, kinks, spirals, or waves.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  There is currently no standardized training on the care, styling, and treatment of textured hair.  The current beauty industry caters primarily to straight hair.  People with textured hair often struggle to find professionals that will provide proper care.  This bill fills a critical gap in training, and would benefit professionals and consumers.  This bill would result in a more inclusive and equitable beauty industry.  
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Melanie Morgan, Prime Sponsor; Brooke Davies, Cosmetologists of Washington United; Intisar Benge, L'Oreal ; Shawn Stearns, L'Oreal .
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.