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HB 5207

Occupations: barbers; barber instructor licensing requirements; modify. Amends secs. 1109 & 1206 of 1980 PA 299 (MCL 339.1109 & 339.1206).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Aragona and 18 co-sponsors

HB 5207 updates barber/cosmetology instructor licenses: raises training to 600 hours for new instructors and creates 300-hour cross-licensing paths between barber and cosmetology.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY AFFAIRS
#occupations:barbers #occupations:individuallicensingandregistration
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Bill Summary · HB 5207

Summary — HB 5207 (2025)

Occupations: barbers; barber instructor licensing requirements; modify. Amends 1980 PA 299 (MCL 339.1109 & 339.1206).

Purpose / Intent

HB 5207 updates instructor licensing requirements for barbers and cosmetology-related professions. The bill clarifies and adjusts required hours of instructor training, creates defined cross-licensing pathways between barber and cosmetology instructors with specified supplemental training hours, and preserves examination and character requirements.

Sections amended

  • Amends MCL 339.1109 (barber instructor) — as amended previously by 1988 PA 463.
  • Amends MCL 339.1206 (cosmetology and related instructor licenses) — as amended previously by 2024 PA 78.

Key provisions and changes

  • Barber instructor (sec. 1109)

    • Requires a barber instructor applicant to be a licensed barber with at least 2 years’ experience.
    • Instructor training requirement is specified as 1 year / 600 hours of instruction in teaching barbering at a licensed barber college OR successful completion of 60 semester (or 90 term) hours at an accredited college/university plus 6 months of barber-college instruction.
    • Allows cosmetology instructors (holding a valid cosmetology instructor license under sec. 1206) to obtain a barber instructor license if they complete at least 300 hours of training in a licensed barber college covering straight-razor shaving and barbering fundamentals.
    • Provides that individuals authorized in another jurisdiction to instruct may substitute 1 year / 600 hours of barber instruction experience for the required training, but the requirements that applicants be licensed barbers and pass the instructor exam (and other enumerated requirements) cannot be waived.

  • Cosmetology instructor and specialist instructor (sec. 1206)

    • Continues general instructor requirements: good moral character, high school diploma/equivalent, and passing a department/board-approved exam.
    • Cosmetology instructor must be a licensed cosmetologist with at least 3 years practical experience in core services (including at least 1 year in a cosmetology establishment).
    • Sets instructor training hours: not less than 500 hours generally, but for individuals who begin instructor training on or after July 1, 2024, the minimum is 600 hours.
    • Permits barber instructors (valid sec. 1109 license holders) to obtain a cosmetology instructor license by completing at least 300 hours in a licensed school of cosmetology covering cosmetology techniques/services.
    • Maintains provisions for electrology instructors (300 hours) and limited or specialist instructor licenses (300 hours), and clarifies that specialist instructor licenses limit instruction to the service in which the holder is licensed.

Who is affected

  • Prospective and current barber and cosmetology instructors and trainees.
  • Barber and cosmetology schools/colleges (must deliver required instructor training hours and specified content).
  • Licensed cosmetology and barber instructors seeking cross-licensure.
  • Licensing authority (the department and board that administer MCL 339).

Procedural / timeline information

  • Filed: March 14, 2025.
  • Introduced/read first time: November 4, 2025 (Rep. Angela Rigas listed as introducer; primary sponsor listed as Rep. Guillen). Referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform. Bill electronically reproduced 11/04/2025. Companion senate bill: SB 1663.

Potential impacts

  • Raises or clarifies training-hour expectations for instructor candidates (600-hour standard for many who begin training on/after 7/1/2024).
  • Creates formal, limited cross-training pathways between barber and cosmetology instructor licenses (300-hour supplemental programs), potentially easing mobility between professions.
  • Requires schools to provide or certify specific instructional content (e.g., straight-razor technique for barber training).
  • May affect workforce entry timelines for instructor candidates due to hour/experience requirements.

For exact statutory language and administrative implementation, consult the bill text and the department/board rules that administer MCL 339.

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

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