Last year, a new “ Hair Design” license that was introduced in Washington State. Prior to 2016, only two distinctions were available when it came to professions styling hair in the state; either you were a Cosmetologist or a Barber. Many people have reached out to me, Frank, to ask what was different.
- Can a Hair Designer shave?
- Can a Hair Designer wax?
- What other training do Hair Designers have, or don’t have, compared to Cosmetologists or Barbers?
In this blog, I will dive into the difference between a Cosmetology License and a Hair Design License. My intention is to help students that are interested in deciding which license is the best fit for them.
To understand the difference, we have to examine the differences in the two scopes of practice. The scope of practice meaning what the two licenses are legally allowed to, or not to do.
The Law
In Washington State, it’s appropriate to visit the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), a.k.a “the law”, to understand what is permitted under the two different licenses.
Cosmetology
Cosmetologist can engage in the practice of Cosmetology. According to RCW 18.16.020, the “practice of cosmetology” means arranging, dressing, cutting, trimming, styling, shampooing, permanent waving, chemical relaxing, straightening, curling, bleaching, lightening, coloring, waxing, tweezing, shaving, and mustache and beard design of the hair of the face, neck, and scalp; temporary removal of superfluous hair by use of depilatories, waxing, or tweezing; manicuring and pedicuring, limited to cleaning, shaping, polishing, decorating, and caring for and treatment of the cuticles and nails of the hands and feet, excluding the application and removal of sculptured or otherwise artificial nails; esthetics limited to toning the skin of the scalp, stimulating the skin of the body by the use of preparations, tonics, lotions, or creams; and tinting eyelashes and eyebrows.
Hair Design
In comparison, the practice of “Hair Design” is defined as the practice of arranging, dressing, cutting, trimming, styling, shampooing, permanent waving, chemical relaxing, straightening, curling, bleaching, lightening, coloring, mustache and beard design, and superficial skin stimulation of the scalp.
The Differences
As you can see, both a Cosmetologist and Hair Designer are able to design, style, color, chemically relax and straighten hair. A Hair Designer scope ceases with the hair and beard, while a Cosmetologist can extend services to waxing, facials, manicuring and pedicures. The more education the better, right? Sometimes. It depends on your interest.
Hours
A Hair Design license requires 1400 Clock Hours, while Cosmetology license requires 1600 Clock Hours. This would require a student additional time in school (200 hours) which, most likely result in an increase tuition cost. With an increase in tuition, and time, a student should consider how interested, and likely, are they to put the expanded scope for facials, manicuring and pedicures to work? If a student is passionate about facials, manicuring and pedicures, it may be worth spending additional 6-8 weeks of training and an additional investment in tuition.
However, if a student is passionate about the facials, manicuring and pedicures, and would like to take the plunge, they need to know that this expanded scope is still limited. For example, although a cosmetologist is able perform some skin treatments, it does not expand to all skin treatments like microdermabrasion or laser hair removal. To be able to do those types of treatments, an individual would need to attain an Esthetician and/or Master Esthetician license. As for nails, a cosmetologist that engages in nail care, is limited to natural nails; any nail enhancements such as acrylics and gels would require a manicurist license.
What Do You Think?
As you can see, this new license is exciting, but it’s important to do your homework. As you are visiting schools, salons and spas, I would encourage you ask questions, explore, and find the right option for you.
Please let me know your thoughts below on this new license? Do you like it? Am against it? It’ll be interesting to see what is in store in the road ahead!
