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LB 160

Change examination requirements for a license under the Barber Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Merv Riepe

LB 160 lets barber licensure applicants retake the exam up to two additional times before required 500-hour remedial training, with a board-approved 250-hour test-out option.

Approved by Governor on March 11, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 160

Summary — LB 160 (2025)

Title: Change examination requirements for a license under the Barber Act
Introduced: Jan 13, 2025 (Sen. Merv Riepe) — Approved by Governor: Mar 11, 2025

Purpose

LB 160 revises how often an applicant for a barber license may retake the state examination without additional schooling and creates a partial “test‑out” pathway for applicants who must complete remedial hours after repeated exam failures.

Key provisions

  • Exam attempts before remedial education:
    • An applicant who fails the barber examination may retake it up to two additional times when offered by the Board of Barber Examiners without being required to take further barber‑school coursework. (Effectively up to three attempts before schooling is required.)
  • Remedial coursework after multiple failures:
    • If an applicant fails the examination a third time, the applicant must complete a further course of study in barbering consisting of 500 hours in a school of barbering before further examination is allowed.
    • The 500‑hour course is limited to not more than 10 hours completed in any one working day (i.e., a daily cap on clock hours).
  • Test‑out / partial waiver:
    • After completing 250 hours of the required 500 hours, an applicant may request board approval to demonstrate proficiency and “test out” of the remaining hours.
    • If the applicant fails to demonstrate proficiency after 250 hours, the applicant must complete the remaining 250 hours before being permitted to take the examination again (the enacted language references permission to take the exam at a subsequent numbered attempt).
  • Board role: The Board of Barber Examiners must approve any opportunity to demonstrate proficiency (i.e., the test‑out).

Who is affected

  • Barber licensure applicants (especially repeat exam takers) — will have defined limits on attempts before schooling and a potential pathway to shorten remedial training if competent.
  • Barber schools — will continue to provide the required remedial 500‑hour course and may administer the 250‑hour checkpoints; possible administrative impact if boards require new test‑out procedures.
  • Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners — gains explicit authority to approve proficiency demonstrations/test‑outs.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Committee and amendment history: Health & Human Services Committee considered the bill; multiple amendments (AM124, AM189, AM264) adjusted the numbering and scope of retake allowances and test‑out language. Final amendment package clarified “up to two additional times” and test‑out after 250 hours.
  • Legislative actions: Advanced through committee and floor with amendments; passed Final Reading 48‑0‑1 on Mar 6, 2025; presented to and approved by Governor on Mar 11, 2025. The statute (section 71‑216.01, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska) was amended accordingly.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Provides applicants who demonstrate skill a chance to reduce time and cost of remedial schooling.
  • Maintains a substantive remedial requirement (500 hours total) for persistent exam failures to preserve training standards.
  • Implementation will require the Board to develop or approve standardized procedures for proficiency demonstrations/test‑outs and to coordinate with barbering schools.

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

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