A. 7924--B 2
THROUGH BRAIDING, LOCKING, WEAVING, NATURAL HAIRSTYLING, TEXTURED HAIR-
STYLING, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE APPLICATION OF CIRROLOGY,
WITH ALL RANGES OF HAIR TYPES AND TEXTURES WITH A FOCUS ON AESTHETIC
RESULTS WHILE PRIORITIZING HAIR AND SCALP HEALTH, shampooing, CONDITION-
ING, PROVIDING BOTANICAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS WHICH INCLUDE MOISTURIZING
SHAMPOOS, LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS AND HYDRATION CONDITIONING, SCALP TREAT-
MENTS, WELLNESS PRACTICES, arranging, dressing, twisting, COILING, wrap-
ping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding the hair or beard by
either hand or mechanical [appliances] EQUIPMENT.
B. Such practice shall not include cutting, shaving or trimming
NATURAL hair except [that] WHEN such activities are [permissible to the
extent that such activities are] incidental to the practice of [natural
hair styling] NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING SERVICES PROVIDED FOR A
FEE, INCLUDING MINOR HAIR SHAPING OR TRIMMING OF NATURALLY TEXTURED
HAIR.
C. Such practice shall not include the application of dyes, reactive
chemicals, or other preparations to alter the color or to straighten,
curl, or PERMANENTLY alter the structure of the hair WITH CHEMICALS OR
HEAT, OR WEAVING OR EXTENSION TECHNIQUES THAT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO, BONDING, HAIR FUSION, OR TAPE-INS. [Techniques which result
in tension on hair roots such as certain types of braiding, weaving,
wrapping, locking and extending of the hair may only be performed by a
natural hair styling or cosmetology licensee who has successfully
completed an approved course of study in such techniques.] SUCH TECH-
NIQUES SHALL ONLY BE PERFORMED BY COSMETOLOGY LICENSEES WHO HAVE
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AN APPROVED COURSE OF STUDY IN SUCH TECHNIQUES.
§ 3. Section 400 of the general business law is amended by adding
eleven new subdivisions 5-a, 5-b, 5-c, 5-d, 5-e, 5-f, 5-g, 5-h, 5-i, 5-j
and 5-k to read as follows:
5-A. "NATURAL HAIR" MEANS ALL HAIR TYPES AND TEXTURES, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE THAT GROW FROM THE SCALP WITH A NATURAL CURL,
COIL, WAVE OR WIRY PATTERN OF THE HAIR.
5-B. "NATURAL HAIR CARE" MEANS THE MAINTENANCE AND OVERALL CARE OF
NATURAL HAIR, INCLUDING NATURAL HAIRSTYLING, TEXTURED HAIR AND TEXTURED
HAIR STYLING AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISIONS FIVE-C, FIVE-D AND FIVE-E OF
THIS SECTION, AND THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF ONE'S HAIR AND SCALP
THROUGH PROPER TENSION TECHNIQUES AND WITHOUT THE USE OF CHEMICALS OR
THE ALTERATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE HAIR.
5-C. "NATURAL HAIRSTYLING" MEANS THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF HAIR IN
ITS ORGANIC UNALTERED STATE, AND THE TECHNICAL MECHANICAL STYLING OF
CURLY, COILY, TIGHT COILY, AFRO-COILY, WAVY OR STRAIGHT HAIR TEXTURES
WITHOUT THE USE OF CHEMICAL PROCESSES THAT PERMANENTLY CHANGE THE
NATURAL HAIR OR CURL PATTERN.
5-D. "TEXTURED HAIR" MEANS TEXTURED HAIR TYPES, INCLUDING CURLY,
COILY, TIGHT COILY, AFRO-COILY, STRAIGHT AND WAVY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, VARIOUS CURLY, COILY, WAVY OR WIRY PATTERNS, COMBINATIONS
AND CONFIGURATIONS, HAIR STRANDS, THICKNESS, AND VOLUMES OF HAIR.
5-E. "TEXTURED HAIR STYLING" MEANS UTILIZING TECHNIQUES TO DEFINE AND
ENHANCE ALL HAIR TYPES AND TEXTURES INCLUDING CURLY, COILY, TIGHT COILY,
AFRO-COILY, STRAIGHT AND WAVY HAIR IN CONJUNCTION WITH PERFORMING THE
PRACTICE OF NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING. SUCH STYLING SHALL INCLUDE
THE USE OF BLOW DRYERS AND DIFFUSERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRYING NATURAL
TEXTURED STYLES WITH INDIRECT HEAT.
5-F. "CIRROLOGY" MEANS A SPECIALIZED TERM USED TO DESCRIBE THE STUDY
OR CLASSIFICATION OF HAIR TEXTURES, DEFINING THE GEOMETRY AND SCIENCE OF
DIFFERENT CURL, COIL, WAVE, AND ZIG ZAG PATTERNS AND REFERS TO A PROFES-
A. 7924--B 3
SIONAL, HEALTH-CENTERED DISCIPLINE WITH THE FOCUS ON THE HOLISTIC
SUPPORT OF TEXTURED HAIR.
5-G. "BRAID" MEANS THE INTERLACING OF THREE OR MORE STRANDS OF HAIR,
AND CAN BE WORN IN A VARIETY OF STYLES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
CORNROWS, STITCH CORNROWS, LOCS, BOX BRAIDS, KNOTLESS OR FEED-IN BRAIDS,
CASAMAS, PLAITS, BANTU KNOTS, OR SENEGALESE TWISTS; WITH OR WITHOUT
ADDED HAIR FIBERS TRADITIONALLY ASSOCIATED WITH AFRICAN BRAIDS AS
DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION FIVE-I OF THIS SECTION.
5-H. "BRAIDING" MEANS THE STYLING PRACTICES AND TECHNIQUES ON ALL HAIR
TYPES AND TEXTURES TO CREATE A BRAID AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FIVE-G OF
THIS SECTION WHICH INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE USE OF NATURAL
HUMAN HAIR OR SYNTHETIC HAIR EXTENSION FIBERS OR HAIR ADDED TO THE BASE
OF THE BRAID TO ELONGATE A STYLE, NATURAL HUMAN HAIR AND SYNTHETIC
BLENDED FIBERS, DECORATIVE BEADS, OR OTHER HAIR ADORNMENTS. MINOR HAIR
SHAPING OR TRIMMING OF NATURAL HAIR OR HAIR EXTENSIONS NECESSARY FOR
FINISHING BRAID HAIR EXTENSIONS MAY OCCUR. BRAIDING TYPES AND TECH-
NIQUES CAN INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, INDIVIDUAL BOX BRAIDS, KNOT-
LESS OR FEED-IN BRAIDS, CORNROWS, STITCH CORNROWS, CASAMAS, PLAITS,
BANTU KNOTS, OR SENEGALESE TWISTS.
5-I. "AFRICAN BRAIDING" REFERS TO THE CULTURAL REFERENCE OF TRADI-
TIONAL TECHNIQUES OF NATURALLY BRAIDING AND CORNROWING HAIR, ORIGINATING
FROM AFRICAN COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA.
5-J. "LOCKING" MEANS PERFORMING TECHNIQUES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, PALM ROLLING SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL STRANDS OF HAIR INTO UNIFORMED
CYLINDER FORMATIONS TO BIND AND CREATE MANY INDIVIDUAL COMPACT STRANDS
OF HAIR THROUGH GROOMING TECHNIQUES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
TWISTING, COILING AND BRAIDING THE HAIR AND/OR ADDING HUMAN OR SYNTHETIC
HAIR TO CREATE "LOC EXTENSIONS".
5-K. "WEAVING" MEANS A METHOD OF HAIR EXTENSION AND ENHANCEMENT WHERE
HUMAN HAIR OR SYNTHETIC FIBERS ARE ADDED TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S NATURAL HAIR
WITH TECHNIQUES THAT EXTEND AND/OR CONCEAL THE NATURAL HAIR WHILE ADDING
LENGTH, VOLUME OR TEXTURE; AND THE MAKING OF WIGS FROM HUMAN HAIR AND
SYNTHETIC FIBERS, INCLUDING THE FOUNDATIONAL PREPARATION OF THE HAIR
THROUGH WELLNESS PRACTICES IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF THE HAIR.
§ 4. Subdivisions 1 and 3 of section 401 of the general business law,
subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 80 of the laws of 2015 and subdivi-
sion 3 as amended by chapter 341 of the laws of 1998, are amended to
read as follows:
1. No person shall engage in the practice of nail specialty, waxing,
natural hair [styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology, as
defined in section four hundred of this article, without having received
a license to engage in such practice in the manner prescribed in this
article. No person shall act as a trainee or perform any service as such
unless [he or she] SUCH PERSON has obtained a certificate of registra-
tion pursuant to this article.
3. A person licensed by any other state or country to practice nail
specialty, waxing, natural hair [styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics
or cosmetology shall be allowed to practice in New York state for three
months or less within any calendar year for the purpose of giving to, or
receiving from, persons who are licensed under this article training in
current styles, techniques or materials, provided however, that no such
unlicensed person may provide services to the public for any fee, or
other compensation, whether direct or indirect.
§ 5. Section 404 of the general business law, as amended by chapter
664 of the laws of 2023, is amended to read as follows:
A. 7924--B 4
§ 404. Rules and regulations. The secretary shall promulgate rules and
regulations which establish standards for practice and operation by
licensees and trainees under this article in order to ensure the health,
safety and welfare of the public including licensees and trainees when
they are working within such establishments. Such rules and regulations
shall include, but not be limited to, the sanitary conditions and proce-
dures required to be maintained, a minimum standard of training appro-
priate to the duties of nail specialists, trainees, waxers, natural hair
[stylists] CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIALISTS, estheticians, and cosmetolo-
gists and the provision of service by nail specialists, trainees,
waxers, natural hair [stylists] CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIALISTS, estheti-
cians or cosmetologists at remote locations other than the licensee's
home provided that such practitioner holds an appearance enhancement
business license to operate at a fixed location or is employed by the
holder of an appearance enhancement business license. Regulations
setting forth the educational requirements for nail specialists and
trainees shall include education in the area of causes of infection and
bacteriology. Regulations setting forth the educational requirements for
cosmetologists [or], natural hair [stylists] CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIAL-
ISTS AND NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING APPRENTICES shall include educa-
tion regarding the provision of services to individuals with all hair
types and textures, including, but not limited to, various curl, COIL or
wave patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair. ADDI-
TIONALLY, SUCH REGULATIONS FOR NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIAL-
ISTS AND NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING APPRENTICES SHALL INCLUDE, BUT
IS NOT LIMITED TO, EDUCATION IN THE AREA OF NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAID-
ING TECHNIQUES, CAUSE OF INFECTION AND BACTERIOLOGY, ALOPECIA AND SCALP
DISORDERS AND DISEASES, SALON HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS, THE SCIENCE
OF SANITARY PRACTICES AND ERGONOMICS FOR OVERALL HEALTH AND SAFETY. In
promulgating such rules and regulations the secretary shall consult with
the state education department, the advisory committee established
pursuant to this article, any other state agencies and private industry
representatives FROM BEAUTY SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES as may be appropriate
in determining minimum training requirements.
§ 6. Section 406 of the general business law, as added by chapter 509
of the laws of 1992, subdivisions 1, 2 and 4 as amended by chapter 341
of the laws of 1998, paragraph e of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter
376 of the laws of 2015, paragraph f of subdivision 1 as added by chap-
ter 80 of the laws of 2015, paragraph c of subdivision 2 as amended by
section 3 of part D of chapter 328 of the laws of 2014 and paragraph a
of subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 324 of the laws of 1998, is
amended to read as follows:
§ 406. License application; procedure; requirements; temporary
license. 1. a. Any person intending to practice nail specialty, waxing,
natural hair [styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology as
defined in this article, or to own or operate an appearance enhancement
business, shall first make application to the secretary for a license
therefor.
b. Such application shall be in a form and manner prescribed by the
secretary and shall contain such information as, in the secretary's
judgment, is reasonable and necessary to determine the qualifications
and fitness for licensing of the applicant.
c. The application shall be subscribed by the applicant and affirmed
under penalty of perjury.
d. Each application shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee as
prescribed by this article.
A. 7924--B 5
e. Each application shall be accompanied by a certificate of a duly
licensed physician, or nurse practitioner to the extent authorized by
law and consistent with subdivision three of section six thousand nine
hundred two of the education law on a form prescribed by the secretary,
showing freedom from any infectious or communicable disease which
certificate shall have been issued within thirty days prior to the date
of the filing of the application.
f. Notwithstanding the educational requirements of this section, a
trainee may obtain a license to practice nail specialty if such trainee
provides satisfactory evidence to the secretary that such trainee has
been actively engaged in a traineeship for a period of one year and has
completed a course of study set forth by the secretary. Such course of
study may be delivered by electronic means.
2. a. Any person seventeen years of age or older may apply to the
secretary for a license to practice nail specialty, waxing, natural hair
[styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology.
b. Each such application shall also be accompanied by satisfactory
evidence of having taken and passed the appropriate examination or exam-
inations offered by the secretary pursuant to this article for the
license sought and evidence of the successful completion of an approved
course of study in nail specialty, waxing, natural hair [styling] CARE
AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology in a school duly licensed pursu-
ant to the education law.
c. Any applicant for a license to practice nail specialty, waxing,
natural hair [styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology may
submit satisfactory evidence of licensure to practice an equivalent
occupation issued by any other state, territory, protectorate or depend-
ency of the United States or any other country in lieu of the evidence
of schooling and examination required by this subdivision, provided that
such license was granted in compliance with standards which were, in the
judgment of the secretary, not lower than those of this state and
provided that such state, territory, protectorate, dependency, or coun-
try extends similar reciprocity to the licensees of this state, or the
applicant practiced an equivalent occupation in such state, territory,
protectorate, dependency or country for a minimum of five years, or the
applicant is a member of the household of a member of the armed forces
of the United States, national guard or reserves and was a member of
such household before such member relocated to the state.
d. Notwithstanding the educational requirements of this section and
the testing requirements of this section, an applicant who otherwise has
met the licensing requirements of this article for a nail specialist,
waxer, natural hair [stylist] CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIALIST, esthetician
or cosmetologist who shall provide satisfactory evidence [he or she has]
THEY HAVE been actively and continuously engaged in the practice of nail
specialty, waxing, natural hair [styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics
or cosmetology for at least one year prior to the effective date of this
article, may be issued a license for nail specialty, waxing, natural
hair [styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology pursuant to
this article. Notwithstanding the educational and testing requirements
of this section, a person licensed to practice barbering under article
twenty-eight of this chapter who otherwise has met the licensing
requirements of this article may APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY NATURAL HAIR CARE
AND BRAIDING LICENSE IN ORDER TO STUDY AND TAKE THE NATURAL HAIR CARE
AND BRAIDING WRITTEN EXAMINATION. UPON PASSING, SUCH LICENSED BARBER
SHALL be issued a license to practice natural [hairstyling] HAIR CARE
AND BRAIDING. Other than applicants licensed under article twenty-eight
A. 7924--B 6
of this chapter, those persons who apply after a twelve month period
from the effective date of this article will be required to provide
evidence of training and to take the examination or examinations as
required for other licenses pursuant to this article.
e. Upon acceptance by the secretary of a proper application for an
operator's license to practice nail [speciality] SPECIALTY, waxing,
natural hair [styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology, the
secretary may issue a temporary operator's license which shall expire
six months from issuance. Upon good cause shown, the secretary may renew
a temporary operator's license for one additional six-month period upon
filing the appropriate application and fee.
3. Appearance enhancement business license. a. Any person, eighteen
years of age or older, or any firm, limited liability company, partner-
ship or corporation having at least one member eighteen years of age or
older may apply to the secretary for an appearance enhancement business
license.
b. Each such application for an appearance enhancement business
license shall be accompanied by evidence of a bond or liability insur-
ance.
4. a. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this article to the
contrary, if any person, eligible for any license pursuant to this arti-
cle, should be called to active military service at or during the time
application for any license is required to be filed and license fee
paid, pursuant to the provisions of this article, the period within
which said application may be filed and license fee may be paid, is
extended on behalf of such person, until three months after the termi-
nation of said military service.
b. In the case of persons who are called to active military service
and will be discharged from active military service, the period of two
years specified in paragraph d of subdivision two of this section need
not be continuous. The length of time such person was engaged in the
practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair [styling] CARE AND
BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology before entering active military
service may be added to any period of time during which such person was
or is engaged in the practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair
[styling] CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology after the termi-
nation of active military service.
§ 7. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
406-a to read as follows:
§ 406-A. NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM; LICENS-
ING. 1. THE NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING THREE HUNDRED HOUR CURRIC-
ULUM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND THE APPRENTICE ONE HUNDRED HOUR CURRIC-
ULUM PROGRAM SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF
EDUCATION, APPROVED INSTITUTIONS AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS, BOARD OF COOP-
ERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, SUNY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTERS, AND
PRIVATE NATURAL HAIR CARE, STYLING AND BRAIDING INSTITUTIONS AND
COLLEGES.
2. A. THE SECRETARY SHALL CONSULT WITH THE DIVISION OF LICENSING, THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS
ARTICLE TO IMPLEMENT THE NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING CURRICULUM.
B. SUCH CURRICULUM FOR BRAIDING, LOCKING, NATURAL HAIRSTYLING,
TEXTURED HAIR STYLING AND WEAVING FOR ALL RANGES OF HAIR TYPES AND
TEXTURES, INCLUDING CURLS, COILS, TIGHT-COILS, AFRO-COILS, WAVES AND
STRAIGHT HAIR, SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
(I) HAIR CARE PRODUCTS: THROUGH CONSULTATIONS, HAIR AND SCALP ANALYSIS
AND HAIR TEXTURE ASSESSMENTS; THE PROVISION OF CLEAN BOTANICAL BEAUTY
A. 7924--B 7
PRODUCTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLARIFYING AND MOISTURIZING
SHAMPOOS, LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS, STEAM HYDRATION CONDITIONING, SCALP
TREATMENTS, WELLNESS PRACTICES, HYDRATION AND PROTEIN STRENGTHENING
TREATMENTS, CLAYS, MASKS, ESSENTIAL OILS, HERBAL AND BOTANICAL RINSES,
AND TOPICAL AGENTS SUCH AS GELS AND GELEE, HAIRSPRAY, FOAMS, MOUSSE,
MOLDING MUDS, MOISTURIZERS, OILS AND POMADES;
(II) HAIR CARE TOOLS: USED IN THE ARRANGING, DRESSING, TWISTING, COIL-
ING, WRAPPING, WEAVING, EXTENDING, LOCKING, PALM ROLLING OR BRAIDING OF
HAIR OR BEARDS BY EITHER HAND OR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, CLIPS, COMBS, BRUSHES, CROCHET NEEDLES, LATCH-HOOK
TOOLS, INTERLOCKING TOOLS, SEWING BLUNT-TIPPED AND CURVED NEEDLES, BEAD-
ING PLIERS, CURLERS, RODS, ROLLERS, HAIRPINS, SCISSORS, THREAD; AND
(III) HAIR CARE TECHNIQUES: INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
(1) BRAIDING AND BRAID EXTENSION TECHNIQUES WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT
ARE NOT LIMITED TO, INDIVIDUAL BOX BRAIDS, KNOTLESS OR FEED-IN BRAIDS,
BOHO BRAIDS, CORNROWS, STITCH CORNROWS, CASAMAS, PLAITS, BANTU KNOTS, OR
SENEGALESE TWISTS WITH OR WITHOUT ADDED HUMAN HAIR, PLANT-BASED HAIR OR
SYNTHETIC FIBERS;
(2) TEXTURED HAIR STYLING WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
ARRANGING, DRESSING, CURL AND COIL DEFINING TEXTURED HAIRSTYLES, ENHANC-
ING NATURAL CURLS-SPIRAL TECHNIQUE, PREPARATION FOR BRAID STYLING AND
NATURAL HAIR; COMB-COILING, FINGER COILING, DOUBLE STRAND TWISTING,
FLAT-TWISTING OR THE USE OF CURLERS, RODS, ROLLERS OR HAIRPINS, BLOW-
DRYING AND DIFFUSING TECHNIQUES, THERMAL CURLING AND FLAT IRONING
NATURAL HAIR, PREVENTING HEAT DAMAGE USING MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING THE FOUNDATIONAL PREPARATION OF THE HAIR THROUGH
WELLNESS PRACTICES IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF THE HAIR;
(3) LOC GROOMING TECHNIQUES WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED
TO, COMB COILING, PALM ROLLING, STARTER LOCS, COILING, TWISTING, BRAID-
ING INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO INTERLOCKING AND WRAPPING THE HAIR,
LOC EXTENSION, CROCHET LOCKING, AND MICRO-LOCKING USING HUMAN HAIR,
PLANT BASED HAIR OR SYNTHETIC FIBERS, AND THE FOUNDATIONAL PREPARATION
OF THE HAIR THROUGH WELLNESS PRACTICES IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH
OF THE HAIR; AND
(4) WEAVING TECHNIQUES WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
SEWING WEFTS OR BUNDLES OF HAIR ONTO BRAIDED CORNROWS, AFRO-TWIST HAIR
EXTENSIONS, TRADITIONAL AND MIXED TEXTURE, SEW-IN-WEAVES, AND CROCHET
WEAVING.
§ 8. Subdivision 1 of section 407 of the general business law, as
amended by chapter 255 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read as
follows:
1. The examinations for the license to practice natural hair [styling]
CARE AND BRAIDING, esthetics, nail specialty and cosmetology shall be
practical and written. The examinations for the license to practice
waxing shall be limited to a written examination only. The secretary
shall determine reasonable standards of performance for each license and
shall evaluate the prospective applicants and applicants on the basis of
such standards. The objectives of the examinations shall be to [insure]
ENSURE that prospective applicants and applicants have sufficient basic
skills to safeguard the health and safety of the public and to insure
that prospective applicants and applicants have attained adequate levels
of skill to competently engage in the activities authorized by the
license.
§ 9. Section 408 of the general business law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 12 to read as follows:
A. 7924--B 8
12. ANY CURRENT NATURAL HAIR STYLING LICENSEE WHO PROCESSES A RENEWAL
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL RECEIVE THE UPDATED
NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
§ 10. The general business law is amended by adding two new sections
408-c and 408-d to read as follows:
§ 408-C. NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING APPRENTICE. 1. A NATURAL HAIR
CARE AND BRAIDING APPRENTICE SHALL BE AN INDIVIDUAL SEVENTEEN YEARS OF
AGE OR OLDER WHO SEEKS HANDS-ON TRAINING THAT FURTHERS THEIR KNOWLEDGE
AND EXPERIENCE TO ENTER THE PRACTICE OF NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING.
SUCH PERSON SHALL BE PURSUING IN GOOD FAITH A ONE-YEAR HANDS-ON PAID
WORK STUDY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IN THE PRACTICE OF NATURAL HAIR CARE
AND BRAIDING UNDER THE TUTELAGE, SUPERVISION, AND DIRECTION OF A SENIOR
NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIALIST AS DEFINED BY SECTION FOUR
HUNDRED EIGHT-D OF THIS ARTICLE. A BUSINESS APPEARANCE ENHANCEMENT
LICENSED SALON SHALL REGISTER WITH THE DIVISION OF LICENSING SERVICES TO
PARTICIPATE IN SUCH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. SUCH BUSINESS APPEARANCE
ENHANCEMENT SALON SHALL HIRE SUCH APPRENTICE IN A FULL OR PART TIME
CAPACITY FOR A MINIMUM OF TWENTY HOURS TO A MAXIMUM OF FORTY HOURS PER
WEEK TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. THE SECRETARY SHALL
PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING SALONS AND SALON SUPERVISORS,
FOR TUTELAGE, GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS OF NATURAL HAIR CARE AND
BRAIDING INSTRUCTORS AND TEXTURED HAIRSTYLIST INSTRUCTORS. THE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHALL ADVISE THE SECRETARY AND
DIVISION OF LICENSING SERVICES ON SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING
TO CURRICULUM AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS.
2. A. AN APPRENTICE SHALL REGISTER WITH THE DIVISION OF LICENSING
SERVICES FOR A ONE-YEAR NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING APPRENTICE
LICENSE. UPON APPLICATION, THE PARTICIPATING APPEARANCE ENHANCEMENT
BUSINESS SALON WHERE SUCH TRAINING SHALL OCCUR SHALL BE LISTED ON THE
DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE. SUCH LICENSE SHALL BE RENEWABLE FOR AN ADDITIONAL
ONE YEAR, IF NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE REQUIRED MANDATORY EDUCATIONAL
COURSES.
B. EACH APPRENTICE LICENSE ISSUED AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE
POSTED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE WHERE SUCH APPRENTICE IS ACTUALLY ENGAGED
IN THE PRACTICE OF NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING AS AN APPRENTICE.
3. A MANDATORY ONE HUNDRED HOUR ONLINE, IN-PERSON OR HYBRID COURSE OF
STUDY ON THEORY AND STYLING PREPARATION SHALL BE REQUIRED IN CONJUNCTION
WITH THIS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM FROM AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL APPROVED BY
THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF LICENSING SERVICES, AND SHALL INCLUDE,
BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE AREAS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, SCIENCE
AND SANITARY PRACTICES, ALOPECIA AND SCALP DISORDERS, AND ERGONOMICS FOR
OVERALL HEALTH AND SAFETY. SUCH COURSE OF STUDY SHALL FOLLOW THE STATE
CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO 19 NYCRR 162.3(A)(1) - (7) IN ADDI-
TION TO A TWENTY-HOUR PRACTICAL EXAMINATION PREPARATION COURSE ON THE
THEORY OF HAIR BRAIDING, LOCKING, WEAVING AND STYLING. ADDITIONALLY, A
NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAID STYLING COURSE IN THE THEORY AND PROPER
PROCEDURES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BRAIDING, TWISTING, LOCKING
NATURAL HAIRSTYLING, TEXTURED HAIR STYLING AND WEAVING TECHNIQUES WITH
DEMONSTRATIONS AND HANDS-ON TRAINING SHALL BE REQUIRED. SUCH HANDS-ON
IN-SALON TRAINING SHALL BE PROVIDED DURING THE ONE-YEAR PAID APPRENTICE-
SHIP PROGRAM AND SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A STRUCTURED
GUIDED OUTLINE DERIVED FROM THE TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-HOUR HAIR BRAIDING,
LOCKING, WEAVING AND STYLING CURRICULUM PURSUANT TO 19 NYCRR
162.3(A)(8). MANDATORY QUARTERLY PROGRESS COMPLETION REPORTS SHALL BE
REQUIRED AND PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,
AS APPLICABLE.
A. 7924--B 9
4. UPON COMPLETION OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, THE APPRENTICE
SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO TAKE A NEW YORK STATE NATURAL HAIR CARE
AND BRAIDING PRACTICAL EXAMINATION. UPON PASSING SUCH NEW YORK STATE
PRACTICAL EXAMINATION, SUCH APPRENTICE SHALL RECEIVE A NATURAL HAIR CARE
AND BRAIDING LICENSE.
§ 408-D. SENIOR NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIALIST. 1. A
SENIOR NATURAL HAIR CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIALIST SHALL BE A SALON SUPER-
VISOR THAT OVERSEES THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM AND SHALL BE A NEW YORK
STATE LICENSED NATURAL HAIRSTYLIST, OR COSMETOLOGIST WITH TEXTURED HAIR
EXPERTISE WITH AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND DEMONSTRATES
ADVANCED EXPERTISE IN THE CARE, STYLING AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL NATURAL
HAIR TYPES AND TEXTURES.
2. SUCH SPECIALIST SHALL REGISTER WITH THE STATE IN THE APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM AS A SALON INSTRUCTOR, SHALL TAKE A SUPERVISOR TRAINING CLASS
FOR THE STANDARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, AND SHALL
BE EMPLOYED BY A LICENSED APPEARANCE ENHANCEMENT BUSINESS REGISTERED
WITH THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHALL ADVISE THE SECRETARY AND
DIVISION OF LICENSING SERVICES ON THE EDUCATION OF SUCH RULES AND REGU-
LATIONS PERTAINING TO THE SENIOR SPECIALIST AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.
§ 11. Subdivision 1 of section 409 of the general business law, as
amended by section 2 of part Y of chapter 60 of the laws of 2011, is
amended to read as follows:
1. The non-refundable fee for an application for a license to engage
in the practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair [styling] CARE
AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology, shall be forty dollars initially
and for each renewal thereof the fee shall be forty dollars; the fee for
a temporary license and each renewal shall be ten dollars.
§ 12. Paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 410 of the general busi-
ness law, as amended by chapter 80 of the laws of 2015, is amended to
read as follows:
a. The secretary may issue an order directing the cessation of any
activity related to nail specialty, waxing, natural hair [styling] CARE
AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology for which a license is required
by this article upon a determination that a person, partnership, limited
liability company or business corporation, engaging in the business or
occupation of, or holding [himself, herself] THEMSELF or itself out as
or acted, temporarily or otherwise, as a nail specialist, natural hair
[stylist] CARE AND BRAIDING SPECIALIST, esthetician or cosmetologist
within this state without a valid license being in effect. The secretary
shall, before making such determination and order, afford such person,
partnership, limited liability company or business corporation an oppor-
tunity to be heard in person or by counsel in reference thereto in an
adjudicatory proceeding held pursuant to section four hundred eleven of
this article as applicable.
§ 13. Subdivision 1 of section 412 of the general business law, as
amended by chapter 80 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as
follows:
1. The practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair [styling] CARE
AND BRAIDING, esthetics or cosmetology without a license or while under
suspension or revocation, or in violation of an order directing the
cessation of unlicensed activity issued by the secretary pursuant to
section four hundred ten or four hundred eleven of this article, is a
violation and is subject to a civil penalty of up to five hundred
dollars for the first violation; one thousand dollars for a second such
A. 7924--B 10
violation; and two thousand five hundred dollars for a third violation
and any subsequent violation.
§ 14. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall
have become a law.