A bill introduced by Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes aims to give cosmetology schools a chance to continue business while seeking accreditation.
PNC’s Devin Eligio has this story…
In effect, the bill will allow cosmetology schools to operate on a temporary license as the schools work toward achieving accreditation.
Current Guam law prevents any new school from obtaining licensure; however, as it currently stands, schools may not be accredited unless they obtain a license.
Bill 262-36 aims to resolve this complication by providing an interim license as schools seek accreditation.
The cosmetology industry on Guam is growing and growing fast, according to Vice Speaker Barnes.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics say that overall employment of barbers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
It is with this that many job opportunities are expected to open for those passionate about cosmetology and for those who are knowledgeable about the industry to continue teaching.
By definition, an interim license is a license given to a person or establishment issued while a formal, official license is processed.
According to the bill, within two years after being issued an interim license, the school must show proof to the Cosmetology and Barbering Board that it has applied for accreditation.
Within five years of being issued an interim license, the school must show proof of accreditation, otherwise the license will be rescinded.
As a former board member of the Board of Cosmetology and with so few cosmetology schools on island, Barnes expressed why this bill is important in growing the cosmetology industry.
