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Bill

H 4752

Barbers

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carl Anderson and 4 co-sponsors

The bill creates a unified State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering to oversee licensing, education, and regulation, consolidating duties from the current board by July 1, 2027.

Committee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and Industry
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Bill Summary · H 4752

Overview

H. 4752 (2025-2026) from South Carolina would reorganize and reform the regulation of barbering, cosmetology, and related professions under a unified framework. The bill creates a consolidated Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, reorganizes licensing and education requirements, expands cross-licensing and portable operation concepts, and ultimately transfers certain regulatory duties from the current Board of Barber Examiners to the new board. It also removes the apprenticeship requirement for barber licensure.

Main purpose and intent

  • Simplify and standardize licensure for barbering, cosmetology, hair braiding, and related practices.
  • Remove the existing barber apprentice requirement as a pathway to licensure.
  • Create a single regulatory body to oversee barbering and cosmetology, with phased transfer of duties beginning July 1, 2027.
  • Introduce portable operation permits (for cosmetology-related services) and mobile barbershop regulation.
  • Update definitions and scope to reflect integrated regulation of barbering and cosmetology.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of a Barbers and Cosmetologists framework under Article 5, with sections detailing licensure, registration, and practice.
  • Licensure requirements (Sections 40-13-520 and 40-13-230 to 40-13-360):
    • Barber license: 16+ years old, 9th-grade education or equivalent, either 1,500 hours in barber school or 1,920 supervised hours or 1,540 hours in a secondary program, plus board exam.
    • Master barber license: similar education/hours, plus master barber exam; pathway for cosmetologists to obtain master barber license with additional requirements.
    • Instructors: specific requirements for barber and master barber instructor licensure, with transition rules in place for current instructors.
  • Student permits and temporary work permits (Sections 40-13-540 and 40-13-530):
    • One-year student permits; typically limited to four permits absent extraordinary circumstances.
    • Nonrenewable 90-day temporary work permit under direct supervision after completing education hours.
  • Mobile operations and portable operations (Sections 40-13-560 and 40-13-365):
    • Regulations for operating mobile barbershops (permits, inspections, display, address/phone requirements, and non-transferability).
    • Portable cosmetology operations (permits for home/client-visit settings) with biennial renewal and recordkeeping requirements.
  • Endorsement and interstate licensure (Sections 40-13-590 and 40-13-25):
    • Licenses may be issued by endorsement for out-of-state licensed practitioners, with national exam requirements or state exam equivalents; continuing education requirements for endorsements.
  • Board governance and structure (Sections 40-13-10 and 40-13-40):
    • Creation of the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (seven to nine members) with specific composition: cosmetologists, esthetician, nail technician, barber, master barber, school affiliations, and a public member.
    • An Advisory Committee is created to propose appointments and assist the board; meetings and duties outlined.
    • Transfer of functions from the Board of Barber Examiners to the new board on July 1, 2027.
  • Licensing, fees, and inspections (Sections 40-13-50, 40-13-600, 40-13-260):
    • Board to set examination, licensure, renewal, reinstatement, and inspection fees.
    • Regular inspections of shops, schools, and mobile units; posted regulations.
  • Scope of practice and cross-practice (Sections 40-13-40 and 40-13-60):
    • Cosmetologists, hair stylists, estheticians, and nail technicians may practice in barbershops and vice versa within licensed scopes.
    • Specific definitions for barbering, cosmetology, hair braiding, and related terms.

Who is affected

  • Prospective and current barbers, master barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, hair braiders, and related instructors.
  • Barber/beauty shop owners, mobile barbershop operators, and barber/cosmetology schools.
  • Inmate education programs within state facilities (via Section 40-13-610).
  • Interstate practitioners seeking licensure in South Carolina via endorsement or national exams.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2027 for the transfer of functions and regulatory regime changes.
  • Initial draft and committee actions occurred in 2025-2026, with amendments refining scope and structure.
  • Renumbering and reorganization of chapters and articles accompany implementation.
  • The bill anticipates ongoing board regulation and rule-making, with detailed inspection and fee schedules to be established by the new board.

Fiscal impact

  • The sponsor’s fiscal note estimates no net expenditure impact on the state agency since apprenticeship is removed but regulatory duties consolidate under the new board. There are currently about 1,971 registered barbers and 174 barber apprentices, indicating a sizable regulated workforce but no anticipated additional agency costs.

This summary highlights the bill’s core changes: removing barber apprenticeship, consolidating regulatory authority, expanding cross-licensing, and enabling portable/mobile operations, all within a planned transition to a unified Board of Cosmetology and Barbering by mid-2027.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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