The Bureau of Commercial Services, Licensing Division within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs licenses cosmetology school establishments. The Michigan Board of Cosmetology was created under Article 12 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, to license and regulate the practice of cosmetology in Michigan. Article 12 defines cosmetology as one of the following services or a combination of the following services: Hair care services, skin care services, manicuring services and electrology.

The members of the cosmetology industry who are licensed by the department include schools of cosmetology, both public and private, beauty shops, cosmetologists, manicurists, cosmetology instructors, electrologists, estheticians (skin care specialists) and natural hair culturists (braiders).

New!  Renewals for these tasks are accessible through the Michigan Business One Stop portal.

A. NAME OF LICENSE OR APPROVAL:

Cosmetology School License Application form

Other Cosmetology School forms

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

PA 299 of 1980 (Occupational Code) Article 12

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Administrative Rules

D. SUMMARY OF LICENSE/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the license)

Cosmetology Schools are defined as the premises where cosmetology or one or more of its services are taught and must be licensed as such. Licensed schools must provide a full curriculum encompassing all specialties of cosmetological services. Cosmetology schools must comply with all of the following:

• shall maintain a course of practical training and technical instruction equal to the requirements for pre-licensure training outlined in Article 12 of the Michigan Occupational Code (MCL 339.1201 - 339.1218)
• shall teach hair care services, skin care services and manicuring services and may hold a limited license for the teaching of electrology
• shall possess sufficient apparatus and equipment for the ready and full teaching of each subject in the curriculum
• shall maintain 1 person licensed as an instructor, competent to impart instruction in each subject of its curriculum for every 20 students
• shall be operated for teaching purposes only. Instructors shall practice on the public only to demonstrate techniques to students and to correct the work of students
• shall furnish the student, at the time of enrollment, a financial contract showing the total cost and all charges involved in the complete course of study
• require that a student be in attendance not more than 7 hours per day or not more than 40 hours per week
• keep a daily record of the attendance of each student, establish grades and require a student to pass an examination before certifying that an individual has completed training
• permit a student to practice on the public after completing at least 350 hours of instruction. A student in natural hair cultivation, manicuring, skin care or electrology may practice on the public after completing at least 1/4 of the hours required by the applicable curriculum
• filing a new application if the ownership or location of the school is transferred or moved
• shall ensure that all students and instructors wear uniforms and name badges by which the person and program are easily identified
• shall ensure that a student shall be supervised by a licensed instructor for all credited time and services (R338.2141) including, if used, the maximum of 35 hours spent in training in the cosmetology curriculum outside the school premises. The proper instructor to student ratio must also be maintained, inside and outside the school, when field trips are being utilized
• when enrolling a transfer student the school must obtain proof of the previous hours from the student, then the student must pass practical and theory examinations on the subject areas previously studied, and then the student may begin attending the school and earning hours
• when a school has dropped a student from the monthly report, if the student returns to the school they are considered a "re-registration student" and must go through the same steps as listed above for the transfer student.

An application for a cosmetology school license must include:

• a drawing or diagram that indicates the premises to be licensed, showing that the premises is fully partitioned from any other activity, business or dwelling and the location of required equipment and facilities,
• have a licensed instructor who has at least 3 years experience in all services of cosmetology being taught in the school,
• provide a cash or surety bond of $10,000 for the use and benefit of students and conditioned upon the faithful performance and satisfaction of the contractual rights of students, and have
• successfully passed an inspection by the department conducted for the purpose of determining whether the school has met the standards set forth in Article 12 and the rules promulgated for this profession.

Because most licensed schools are private educational institutions, the student will have to pay a tuition fee set by the school in question. The U.S. Department of Education has information regarding educational grants. The NACCAS (National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences) has extensive information regarding student financial aid and certification.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

N/A

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit a signed application form and the information that is specified in Article 12 of P.A. 299 of 1980, as amended (Occupational Code) laws and/or rules and directions for completing an application.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining License or Approval

N/A

 5.  Operational Requirements

N/A

 6.  Fees

• Application Processing Fees: $100.00

• Per Year License Fees: $100.00

• Late Renewal Fee: $20.00

• Verification of License to Other Jurisdiction Fee: $15.00

• Duplicate License (if lost, stolen or destroyed) Fee: $10.00

 7.  Appeal Process

For the occupations regulated under the Occupational Code, this generally describes the procedure that is followed when an applicant for a license has received a formal denial of the application. The Code calls what they file a Petition for Review and requires that the Department receive it within 30 days. The appeal/petition is placed on the board agenda for the next regularly scheduled board meeting. The Petitioner files a written request to appeal that is accompanied by any documents, which would substantiate their reason why the denial should be overturned and a license granted. The two main categories of denial are: lack of good moral character and failure to meet the license requirements (lack of education, experience, failed exam, etc.) The Board and Department hear the appeal/Petition during the meeting. The Board vote must be agreed upon by the Department; in case of the Board voting to overturn the denial and the Department disagreeing (wanting the denial to stand), the Department has the final decision. If the Petitioner is in attendance, the Petitioner knows the outcome then but either way a letter outlining the results is mailed to the Petitioner. Should the Petitioner wish to appeal an upheld denial determination made at the Board meeting, the next step would be filing in Circuit Court. If the occupation is not under the Occupational Code, the Bureau Director would hear the appeal and any upheld denial by the Bureau Director could also be appealed to Circuit Court.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

The public has an opportunity to provide input in various ways. Typical opportunities for input are when administrative rules are being considered at a Public Hearing. The public has an opportunity to address specific draft rules or the rule set overall either in writing or by testimony at the hearing. At open Board Meetings, the public is given an opportunity to address the board on either specific items or in general. At any time a member of the public wishes to address a Bureau practice, policy or procedure, a letter to the Bureau Director may be sent. The Bureau also receives many inquiries or comments by way of letters to the Governor regarding Bureau operations or specific licensure applications.

E. Contact Information:

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Creation/Revision Date:

September 22, 2010