HB 885 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to cosmetology.

Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 317A to prohibit a licensee from performing services that go beyond the stratum germinativum layer unless practicing under the immediate supervision of a licensed physician; prohibit a licensee from performing any service regulated by another agency without the appropriate licensing for that service; amend various sections of KRS Chapter 317A to define "fixed salon" and "mobile salon"; change "limited beauty salon" to "limited facility" throughout; require any person who attempts to practice cosmetology or shampoo styling without being licensed to pay an administrative penalty to the board in an amount not to exceed $1,500 for each offense; authorize the board to investigate any and all unlicensed activity of services licensed under KRS Chapter 317A; prohibit a licensee from holding clinics if the clinics are not sponsored by a beauty specialty group for a service that require a license or permit under KRS Chapter 317A; require any person who applies for an esthetician license to have completed 750 hours of instruction in a licensed school within 5 years of submitting an application for licensure; establish licensing for mobile salons and limited facilities; exclude completion of 50 hours of esthetics or nail technology training within the last 2 years from licensure requirements for teaching esthetic practices or nail technology; establish license and renewal periods by administrative regulations promulgated by the board; establish a permit for natural hair braiding; exempt a person practicing natural hair brading from being required to have a salon license if working out of their home, a limited facility license if only working with other natural hair braiders, or obtaining cosmetology instruction hours beyond a sanitation course; require the board to promulgate administrative regulations to set standards for mobile salons and limited facilities; establish a code of professional conduct for persons licensed and permitted by the board; establish the inspection criteria for fixed and mobile salons; require the board to hold hearings in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B upon the request of an unlicensed party facing penalties; require schools to follow the student-teacher ratio listed in administrative regulations; allow the board to take immediate remedial measures to help a school operate according to standards if a complaint or concern has been validated through an inspection; prohibit a licensee from failing to follow sanitation standards prescribed by administrative regulations; allow the board to investigate all complaints concerning any person that is performing regulated services without a license; establish a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1,500 per violation for any person who provides regulated services without a license.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 4, 2026 Last action Mar 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Current/Final · 7 edits
MODERATE
The bill significantly expands the scope of cosmetology to include esthetics and nail technology, while introducing new definitions for these fields. It clarifies that cosmetology does not cover medical treatments for illnesses or diseases and establishes specific rules for mobile and fixed salons. The changes also update the regulatory framework to include advanced practice nurses under physician supervision for certain procedures.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely regulating cosmetology to also covering esthetics and nail technology, effectively creating a broader regulatory umbrella for beauty services.
DEFINITION

Added formal definitions for 'Esthetics', 'Esthetic practices', 'Esthetician', 'Esthetic salon', 'Eyelash artistry', 'Hair styling', 'Instructor', 'Limited facility', 'Limited stylist', 'Makeup artistry', 'Mobile salon', 'Nail salon', 'Nail technician', and 'Nail technology school'.

Added a definition for 'Esthetic practices' that includes specific acts like facials, waxing, eyelash extensions, and skin care, with exceptions for medical treatment or student work.

Added a definition for 'Mobile salon' as a licensed structure on wheels where licensed services are performed.

Added a definition for 'Makeup artistry' that includes corrective techniques and airbrushing but excludes face painting at carnivals or fairs.

Added a definition for 'Nail technology' that includes cleaning, trimming, cutting, shaping, sculpting, polishing, and massaging hands and feet.

SCOPE

Modified the definition of 'Cosmetology' to explicitly include esthetics and nail technology, whereas previously it was limited to hair styling.

REQUIREMENT

Added a prohibition against performing services regulated by other state boards without appropriate licensing, specifically listing permanent makeup, microblading, and piercing.

Floor votes · House Mar 27, 2026

How they voted

6918
Passed · 18 other
Total votes 105
Mar 27, 2026
D Democratic21
10 Yea 6 Nay 5
47% Yea
R Republican84
59 Yea 12 Nay 13
70% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Mar 27, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 64-18 with Floor Amendment (1)
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.