AlabamaSB1632026 Regular SessionSenate

Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering; adoption of Esthetics Licensure Compact

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.

Estheticians gain access to multistate work

Estheticians living in compact states can apply for one license to work in all member states. Their home-state license must be active and free of restrictions, and they must meet compact requirements. Services follow the laws of the state where the client is located. Nonresidents can still seek single-state licenses, but those licenses do not provide multistate practice rights.

Estheticians face coordinated discipline across states

A state can restrict an esthetician's practice there for services provided in that state. Only the home state can act against the multistate license itself. That action suspends practice authorization across member states until the home-state restrictions are removed. States share investigation records, can investigate jointly, and can use interstate subpoenas; home states may recover investigation costs from licensees. A multistate license is suspended while its holder participates in an alternative program.

Moving estheticians must reissue multistate licenses

Estheticians moving between compact states must immediately apply to the new home state, pay fees, and notify the former state. Reissuance preserves multistate practice access and deactivates the former multistate license. The new state verifies eligibility and may require a background check or a test on state licensing laws. Licensees pay required background-check costs. Those who do not qualify, or move to a nonmember state, must follow the new state's single-state licensing rules.

Military families can keep licensing ties

Active-duty service members and their spouses can choose a home state where they hold a current esthetics license in good standing. They can keep that designation throughout active-duty service. This preserves their home-state basis for compact licensing despite a military-related move.

Estheticians face new multistate license fees

Member states may charge estheticians for granting multistate licenses. The commission may also charge license and renewal fees, and required fees must be paid to maintain the license. It may assess member states annually under its rules. Commission fees and state assessments can cover only the approved budget's shortfall after other revenue. The law sets no dollar amounts, and Alabama may charge its own authorized fees.

State exits limit estheticians' multistate access

Beginning October 1, 2026, a state can leave by repealing the compact; withdrawal takes effect 180 days after repeal. The commission can terminate a defaulting state after notice, failure to fix the default, exhausted compliance steps, and a majority vote. Either exit ends membership benefits, but the state must notify licensees and recognize compact licenses for at least 180 days after notice. A withdrawing state must report required investigative and disciplinary information until withdrawal takes effect. States remain responsible for obligations incurred before their participation ends.

Commission workers protected; private enforcement limited

Covered commission personnel have civil immunity for actions within their duties, including actions reasonably believed to be within those duties. The commission must defend them and cover qualifying claims, settlements, and judgments. These protections exclude intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct and do not shield estheticians from malpractice or misconduct liability. Beginning October 1, 2026, only member states can enforce the compact against the commission; individuals and other entities cannot.

States share esthetician records with safeguards

Member states must regulate estheticians, investigate complaints, require training and competency exams, and consider criminal or disciplinary history or background checks. They must follow commission rules, recognize qualifying multistate licenses, and share required records through a secure system. The commission assigns each applicant a unique identifier, and states monitor disciplinary actions. Specified investigative information is available only to member states; prohibited criminal-history reporting is barred. Records expunged under federal law or the contributing state's law must be removed.

Shared commission governs Alabama esthetics licensing

Alabama's law takes effect October 1, 2026; the compact becomes effective when the seventh state enacts it. A joint state commission administers the compact, with one voting delegate per member state and meetings at least annually. It adopts rules, manages staff and finances, and publishes annual reports, with public meetings except for allowed closures. While Alabama is a member, compact rules have legal force, override conflicting state requirements, and bypass Alabama's rulemaking process. Alabama keeps control over esthetics practice limits; the commission cannot set education or professional licensing requirements, and compact amendments require every member state's approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kirk Hatcher
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Andrew Jones
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 200 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1088

Yes: 66 • No: 0 • Other: 32

House vote • 3/31/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 66 • No: 0 • Other: 32

Senate vote • 1/27/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 165

Yes: 34 • No: 0