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HB 4927

Occupations: barbers; required hours of course study for licensure; modify. Amends secs. 1108 & 1110 of 1980 PA 299 (MCL 339.1108 & 339.1110).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Borton and 4 co-sponsors

Lowers barber licensure hours to 1,500 (from 1,800) and keeps up to 1,000 cosmetology hours as substitution; takes effect 18 months after enactment.

placed on third reading
#occupations:barbers #occupations:individuallicensingandregistration #stateagencies(existing):licensingandregulatoryaffairs
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Bill Summary · HB 4927

Summary — HB 4927 (Occupations: Barbers — required course/apprenticeship hours)

Sponsor: Rep. Parker Fairbairn
Companion: SB 2119
Statutes amended: MCL 339.1108 & 339.1110 (1980 PA 299, Occupational Code)
Status: Recommendation concurred in (reported with substitute H‑1); introduced March 13, 2025; reported 10/30/2025

Purpose

To reduce the minimum required training hours for barber licensure in Michigan and to adjust related barber‑college and apprenticeship requirements.

Key provisions

  • Lowers the minimum training requirement to qualify for a barber license:
    • From 1,800 hours to 1,500 hours for either:
    • A barber college course of study, or
    • An apprenticeship program.
  • Barber college curriculum specification:
    • Total program: 1,500 hours (unchanged classroom hours; reduced practical hours)
    • Classroom/theory: 225 hours (unchanged)
    • Practical barber training: reduced from 1,575 hours to 1,275 hours
  • Cosmetology substitution retained:
    • Students may continue to substitute up to 1,000 hours of substantially similar instruction from a cosmetology school toward barber college requirements.
    • Because the total required hours drop to 1,500, the same 1,000‑hour substitution represents a larger share of the total (rising from ~56% to ~67%).
  • Apprenticeship supervision requirement (new/clarified):
    • If a barbershop owner conducting an apprenticeship is not a licensed barber, at least one licensee must be present and provide supervision whenever an apprentice is in attendance.
  • Other apprenticeship and barber college administrative requirements (attendance limits, recordkeeping, grading, bonding, instructor ratios, sanitation standards) remain in statute as applicable.
  • Effective date: 18 months after enactment.

Who is affected

  • Aspiring barbers — fewer required training hours to reach licensure, potentially shortening time-to-license.
  • Barber colleges — curriculum and practical training hours must be adjusted; bond, instructor, and recordkeeping requirements still apply.
  • Barbershops that host apprentices — must ensure licensed supervision when owners are unlicensed; continue to meet apprenticeship recordkeeping and program standards.
  • Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs / licensing boards — will implement revised hour requirements and continue oversight.

Fiscal impact

House Fiscal Agency: no fiscal impact on state or local government.

Notes / potential impacts

  • Shortened training could reduce cost/time barriers for entrants and alter program revenue for schools; it increases the relative weight of substitute cosmetology instruction in meeting barber requirements.
  • Licensing standards otherwise remain (age, education, exam, character), and supervision/quality safeguards in apprenticeship programs are maintained or strengthened.

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

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