Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0513 – Cosmetology Training Hours Reduction Act
Bill Summary
House Bill 513 amends Section 54-5810 of Idaho Code to reduce the training hour requirements for cosmetologist licensure. The bill decreases the required school-based instruction from 1,600 hours to 1,000 hours and reduces the apprenticeship requirement from 3,200 hours to 2,000 hours. All other provisions of the Barber and Cosmetology Services Act remain unchanged, including requirements for barbers, barber-stylists, electrologists, estheticians, and nail technicians.
The legislation maintains existing qualifications regarding minimum age (16.5 years), education (two years of high school or equivalent), examination requirements, and conduct standards. The bill includes an emergency clause declaring it effective July 1, 2026. This represents a 37.5% reduction in training hours for both school-based and apprenticeship pathways to cosmetology licensure.
Overall Assessment
This bill receives a positive score of +2, reflecting its alignment with principles of reducing regulatory burdens and promoting economic opportunity. The legislation reduces occupational licensing requirements for cosmetologists by lowering mandatory training hours from 1,600 to 1,000 hours for school instruction and from 3,200 to 2,000 hours for apprenticeships. These changes directly support responsible government by eliminating excessive regulatory barriers and enhance economic freedom by reducing the time and cost required to enter the cosmetology profession. The bill does not impact other policy areas evaluated in the metrics.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (1)
The bill reduces mandatory training requirements by removing "one thousand six hundred (1,600)" and inserting "one thousand (1,000)" hours for school instruction, and reducing apprenticeship hours from "three thousand two hundred (3,200)" to "two thousand (2,000)" hours. This reduction in regulatory requirements aligns with principles of limiting government mandates and removing unnecessary barriers to professional practice.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill addresses professional licensing requirements for cosmetologists and does not contain provisions related to elections, voting procedures, citizen participation in government, or political engagement processes.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While the bill modifies training hours for vocational cosmetology education, it does not address K-12 public education, parental rights in education, school choice, curriculum standards, or higher education policies that fall within this metric's scope.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill concerns cosmetology licensing requirements and contains no provisions related to agriculture, farming, ranching, agricultural markets, or rural economic development.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill addresses occupational licensing for cosmetologists and does not contain any provisions related to water rights, water management, appropriation, or water policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill modifies professional licensing requirements and does not address natural resources, environmental regulations, land management, or conservation policies.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill concerns cosmetology training requirements and contains no provisions related to energy production, energy independence, utility regulation, or energy development.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill addresses cosmetology licensure and has no connection to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or technology development.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill modifies occupational licensing qualifications and does not address private property rights, eminent domain, regulatory takings, or property development restrictions.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill concerns professional licensing requirements and contains no provisions related to state or federal land management, land transfers, or public land access.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses cosmetology training hours and has no connection to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, or predator control policies.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (1)
The bill reduces regulatory barriers to entering the cosmetology profession by decreasing required training from 1,600 to 1,000 school hours and from 3,200 to 2,000 apprenticeship hours. This reduction lowers the time and financial costs associated with licensure, facilitating workforce entry and promoting economic opportunity by removing excessive occupational licensing requirements.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill modifies cosmetology licensing requirements and does not address healthcare delivery, health insurance, medical decision-making, welfare programs, or public health policies.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill concerns occupational licensing for cosmetologists and contains no provisions related to family values, marriage, parental rights, or child welfare policies.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill addresses cosmetology training requirements and does not contain provisions specifically related to policies affecting older Americans, senior services, or retirement security.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill modifies professional licensing hours and does not address criminal justice, gun rights, drug policy, law enforcement, or judicial procedures.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill concerns cosmetology licensure requirements and contains no provisions related to national defense, border security, military affairs, or veterans' issues.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill addresses occupational licensing and does not contain provisions related to judicial selection, judicial elections, or constitutional interpretation.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill modifies cosmetology training requirements and contains no provisions related to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or conscience protections.