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ArkansasHB16732025 Regular SessionHouse

TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BARBERS.

Sponsored By: Missy Irvin (Republican), Lee Johnson (Republican)

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Training, exams, and fees for barbers

New barber applicants who are not already licensed cosmetologists must complete at least 1,500 training hours. Licensed cosmetologists in the teacher/manager instructor course path must complete at least 550 clock hours. Applicants for registered barber certificates must pass an exam approved by the state barber board. Before enrollment, students must submit an application and pay the required student application and license fees to the board. Fee amounts are not stated here.

Fewer listed discipline grounds for barbers

The state barber board can discipline barbers for unprofessional conduct. The law removes immoral conduct as a separate listed reason for discipline.

Less paperwork for barber applicants

Barber applicants no longer need a Social Security card or a notarized application. Practice applicants must submit two matching passport-sized photos and a copy of a driver's license or state or federal identification card. Enrollment and exam applicants must provide two passport-sized photos and identification. Names no longer need to appear on photos. The board sets required school enrollment and student application forms, replacing earlier duplicate-copy requirements.

Lifetime barber licenses at age 80

Barbers holding a current Arkansas license receive a personal lifetime license when they reach age 80. They no longer have to request it. The lifetime license removes future license renewals.

More teaching flexibility for barber colleges

Barber colleges no longer need fixed daily time blocks for theory and practice or an average of five services per student daily. The law also removes the requirement to teach at least one-third of enrolled students at once. Schools still must post a daily course schedule in the general clinic. Minimum course hours remain, and student attendance is limited to eight hours per day.

Arkansas license paths for out-of-state barbers

Barbers with fewer than 1,500 training hours need an active, unrevoked license from another state to use this license-transfer path. They must show at least one year of continuous practice with proof of licensing and training, or complete 1,500 training hours. They must apply and pay a license-transfer fee, which covers the license through the next renewal period. Teacher/manager instructors licensed continuously in another state can also qualify by meeting Arkansas instructor requirements. They must pay both the registration and instructor license-transfer fees.

Exam rules for foreign-licensed barbers

Barbers seeking Arkansas license transfer with an active, unrevoked foreign-country license must pass the state barber board's practical exam. They must pay the exam fee. Documents needed for the exam must be translated into English. Original documents are no longer required.

Barber schools get different equipment, bond rules

Barber-school training rooms must have at least 16 barber chairs, up from 15. Registered schools must secure a $10,000 bond guaranteeing school operation unless they qualify for an exemption. Public education entities and state-supported higher education institutions are exempt. Other state-supported entities are exempt when the state barber board determines they qualify.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Missy Irvin

    Republican • Senate

  • Lee Johnson

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 222 • No: 6

House vote • 3/31/2025

House Vote - Monday, March 31, 2025 1:48:53 PM

Yes: 96 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Senate Vote - Wednesday, March 19, 2025 6:49:16 PM

Yes: 29 • No: 5

House vote • 3/10/2025

House Vote - Monday, March 10, 2025 2:11:12 PM

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that HB1673 is now Act 436

    4/3/2025House

  2. Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.

    3/31/2025House

  3. TO BE ENROLLED

    3/31/2025House

  4. Senate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.

    3/31/2025House

  5. Returned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1

    3/20/2025House

  6. Returned to the House as passed as amended # 1 .

    3/19/2025Senate

  7. Read the third time and passed.

    3/19/2025Senate

  8. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    3/18/2025Senate

  9. Amendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.

    3/18/2025Senate

  10. Placed on second reading for purpose of amendment.

    3/18/2025Senate

  11. Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1

    3/17/2025Senate

  12. Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE

    3/10/2025Senate

  13. Received from the House.

    3/10/2025Senate

  14. Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

    3/10/2025House

  15. Returned by the Committee Do Pass

    3/6/2025House

  16. Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE

    3/4/2025House

  17. Filed

    3/4/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB1673 - Introduced

    3/4/2025

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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