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HB 5206

Occupations: cosmetologists; cut and color license option; provide for. Amends secs. 1201 & 1203a of 1980 PA 299 (MCL 339.1201 & 339.1203a) & adds sec. 1207a.

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

Creates a new limited cosmetologist license for cut-and-color services, clarifying scope and allowing mobile/suite establishments under updated licensing rules.

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Bill Summary · HB 5206

HB 5206 — Summary (2025)

Bill number: HB 5206
Short title: Occupations: cosmetologists; cut and color license option; provide for.
Introduced: Rep. Angela Rigas (filed Mar 14, 2025; reintroduced/reproduced Nov 4, 2025)
Status: Introduced and referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform (read first time)
Companion: SB 1662

Purpose / Intent

HB 5206 amends Michigan’s Occupational Code (1980 PA 299) to add a new limited cosmetologist license (added as section 1207a) and to revise and expand definitions and licensing rules in article 12 (cosmetology). The apparent policy aim is to create a lower‑scope licensing option (commonly described as a “cut and color” or limited cosmetologist license), clarify services such as braiding and natural hair cultivation, and modernize definitions for establishments (including suites and mobile salons).

Key provisions (from bill text excerpt)

  • Adds multiple or revised definitions in section 1201, including:
    • New/clarified definitions for “braiding,” “cosmetology establishment” (explicitly includes mobile salon and cosmetology suite), “cosmetology suite,” “limited cosmetologist license” (defined as a license issued under new section 1207a), and clarifications for “natural hair cultivation” and “natural hair culturist.”
    • Definitions of cosmetology services (hair, skin, manicuring, electrology) and roles (apprentice, instructor, student, owner).

  • Amends section 1203a to restate and clarify scope-of-practice rules:

    • Requires a license to perform cosmetology services on the general public (subject to listed exceptions).
    • Affirms that a full cosmetologist may perform hair, skin, natural hair cultivation, and manicuring, but electrology requires a separate electrologist license.
    • Confirms that the Department may license individuals to perform only certain services (e.g., manicurist, esthetician, natural hair culturist), and that such limited-license holders may not perform services outside their authorized scope unless separately licensed.
    • Continues existing student exception(s) allowing certain limited acts (e.g., shampooing) by students under conditions (text truncated in excerpt).

  • Adds section 1207a (not included in the excerpt) — this is the statutory home for the new limited cosmetologist license; the excerpt only defines the term “limited cosmetologist license.”

Who would be affected

  • Cosmetology professionals and applicants: cosmetologists, manicurists, estheticians, natural hair culturists, electrologists, and those seeking a limited cosmetologist license (cut-and-color).
  • Cosmetology schools, apprentices, and students (training, permitted student activities).
  • Owners/operators of cosmetology establishments, mobile salons, and cosmetology suites.
  • Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (administration, rulemaking, licensing processes).

Potential impacts

  • Creates a pathway for a narrower, likely lower‑hours/limited-scope license (cut-and-color) that could lower barriers to entry and allow specialization; specifics (training hours, exam, fees, scope) are contained in the new section 1207a but are not included in the provided excerpt.
  • Clarifies regulatory coverage for braiding, natural hair cultivation, and mobile/suite business models — may affect enforcement and consumer protections.
  • Reinforces separation of electrology from other cosmetology services.

Procedural / Timeline notes

  • Filed Mar 14, 2025; read first time Apr 7, 2025; referred (various committee notations appear in the record). Reproduced/introduced Nov 4, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.
  • Next steps: committee hearings, possible amendments, votes in the House and then the Senate (timeline depends on committee action).

Caveats / recommended follow-up

  • The excerpt truncates part of section 1203a and does not include the full text of the newly added section 1207a, which would define the specific scope, training/exam requirements, and regulatory details for the limited cosmetologist license. Review the complete bill text and any Department rulemaking language for specifics before drawing firm conclusions about licensing hours, testing, or fees.

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

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