All Roll Calls
Yes: 213 • No: 14
North DakotaHB 11262025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT to create and enact eleven new sections to chapter 43-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to salon and school inspections, nursing home, basic care facility, and assisted living facility salons, military and military spouse reciprocity licensure, advanced esthetician licensing and late renewals for establishments and schools; to amend and reenact sections 43-11-01, 43-11-02, 43-11-03, 43-11-04, 43-11-05, 43-11-06, 43-11-08, 43-11-10, 43-11-11, 43-11-13, 43-11-14, 43-11-15, 43-11-16, 43-11-16.1, 43-11-19, 43-11-20.3, 43-11-21, 43-11-23, 43-11-24, 43-11-25, 43-11-26, 43-11-27, 43-11-28, and 43-11-29 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the practice and licensure of cosmetologists, estheticians, advanced estheticians, manicurists, and instructors; to repeal sections 43-11-11.1, 43-11-17, and 43-11-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the use of brush rollers, licenses issued for schools and salons, and esthetician and manicurist licensing qualifications and fees; to provide a penalty; and to provide an effective date.
Sponsored By: House Industry, Business and Labor
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
13 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 9 mixed.
Easier licensing from other states
Starting January 1, 2026, the board issues a North Dakota license without an exam if you hold a similar out‑of‑state license in good standing with no unresolved discipline. The board can also credit recent work experience toward required school hours. The law treats 1,000 hours of experience as 100 curriculum hours, capped at 500 hours, from the past three years. The board may still require a North Dakota law exam.
Clear practice limits and license display
Beginning January 1, 2026, you must have the right license before you advertise or do cosmetology, esthetics, advanced esthetics, or manicuring, or run a salon or school. Work is limited to noninvasive care. You may not cut or puncture living tissue or use lasers, light, or energy to damage cells. The law defines advanced esthetics and bans ablative esthetic procedures for licensees. Each license must be signed, sealed, and clearly displayed where you provide services.
Higher bar to teach beauty services
Beginning January 1, 2026, to be an instructor you must hold a current North Dakota license and meet one of three paths: 960 hours of instructor training; or one year of practice plus 480 hours; or three years of practice plus 160 hours. Student instructors must register, pay the fee, have a high school equivalency, and finish the student-instructor course before the instructor exam. Instructors may only practice on patrons while teaching. You must meet board continuing education to renew.
New path to advanced esthetics
Beginning January 1, 2026, enrolled students or active North Dakota cosmetologists or estheticians can get up to 600 hours of credit toward the advanced esthetics program by board rule. Advanced estheticians must apply and show board‑approved extra training before using microneedling devices, nonablative devices, or doing advanced chemical peels. Through December 31, 2027, in‑state cosmetologists or estheticians with at least one year of experience before enactment can get an advanced license by completing a 4‑hour safety course, holding bloodborne pathogen and first aid/CPR certificates, and proving either 300 supervised hours within the past five years or 150 hours of board‑approved advanced training. After that window, you must complete a 500‑hour program.
Tougher school standards and student rules
Beginning January 1, 2026, schools must be separate from salons and meet set training hours: 1,500 for cosmetology, 600 for esthetics, 350 for manicuring, and 1,100 for advanced esthetics. Schools must have at least two full-time equivalent licensed instructors and keep ratios at 24 to 1 (or 12 to 1 for esthetics, advanced esthetics, or manicuring-only). Students cannot do practical work until 20% of hours are done, and basic students cannot be paid. Schools must post a $10,000 bond to protect tuition refunds. Students must be at least 16, have finished 10th grade or equivalent, and be registered by the school with the board’s processing fee.
Apprenticeships and internships for trainees
Beginning January 1, 2026, the board can set internships with schools and apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship sites must be approved by the state office of apprenticeship. Trainers must hold a current license for at least three years and complete board educator training. The board may audit and inspect programs yearly and can penalize noncompliance. Approved sites must post notices that apprentices may provide services.
Stronger salon inspections and offsite work
Beginning January 1, 2026, new salons, independent licensees, and schools must pass an initial inspection before opening. The board sets routine checks and can inspect any time after a complaint or for past violations, ownership changes, late renewals, or probation. Refusing or blocking an inspection can lead to discipline. The board must set infection-control rules with the state health agency and check compliance. The board may also let licensees work outside a salon under its rules.
Who can own and supervise salons
Beginning January 1, 2026, anyone authorized to do business in North Dakota can own a salon. Every salon must have a qualified supervisor for the services it offers. Cosmetology salons need a master cosmetologist. Esthetics‑only salons need a master cosmetologist or master esthetician. Manicuring salons need a master cosmetologist or master manicurist. The board sets related rules and fees.
Provisional licenses for military families
Starting January 1, 2026, active‑duty service members and spouses can get a three‑year provisional license with no exam and no fee. You must submit a board application, show an active out‑of‑state license in good standing for the last two years, and provide military orders or ID (and marriage proof for spouses). It is renewable while orders remain in effect. Veterans and spouses who apply within six months of an honorable discharge can get a nonrenewable, fee‑exempt provisional license for up to three years. The board must expedite and track these applications.
New fee caps for licenses
Starting January 1, 2026, the law caps many board fees. Examples: establishment original license is $150. Annual renewal is $100 per year. Advanced esthetician original and renewal fees are $50 each. Late renewals within one year are $50. Late renewals after one year but before five years are $150. Re-inspection fee is $75. See the law for the full list.
License renewals, late fees, and education
Beginning January 1, 2026, individual licenses expire each December 31. If your license expired less than one year ago, you can reinstate it by paying the late fee and current renewal fee. If it expired more than one year but less than five years ago, you must also pass the North Dakota law and rules exam. After five years, you must apply as a new applicant. Establishment and independent licenses also expire December 31. Within 12 months, pay the late fee and current renewal fee to reinstate; after 12 months, pay the late penalty for each year and reapply. School licenses expire December 31; not renewing within 30 days can lead to discipline. The board can set continuing education and use part of renewal fees to sponsor training.
Salon license break for nursing homes
Beginning January 1, 2026, licensed nursing facilities and assisted living centers do not need a salon license if services are only for residents and the facility does not advertise as a salon. If a cosmetologist serves nonresidents there, that person must hold an establishment license.
Cosmetology board expanded and modernized
Beginning January 1, 2026, the board can hire staff, set fees, keep a license registry, issue licenses (including independent licensees), and set continuing‑competence rules. The board grows from five to seven members and must include at least three licensed cosmetologists, one licensed instructor, and one secondary or postsecondary educator. Members must be eligible voting residents. Board pay follows the legislative management rate, and travel follows state rules, all paid from board income. The board must meet every other month and publish its meeting schedule yearly. Material changes to the practice law must be shown to the board before enactment. The law also repeals several obsolete code sections.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
House Industry, Business and Labor
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/17/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 81 nays 8
Yes: 81 • No: 8
Senate vote • 4/11/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 1
Yes: 45 • No: 1
House vote • 2/4/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 87 nays 5
Yes: 87 • No: 5
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/23
4/25/2025HouseSigned by Governor 04/23
4/24/2025HouseSent to Governor
4/22/2025HouseSigned by Speaker
4/22/2025HouseSigned by President
4/21/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 81 nays 8
4/17/2025HouseConcurred
4/17/2025HouseReturned to House (12)
4/11/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 1
4/11/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
4/11/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 5 0 0
4/10/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 02:00
3/6/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Workforce Development Committee
2/11/2025SenateReceived from House
2/5/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 87 nays 5
2/4/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
1/31/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 14 0 0
1/30/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 09:00
1/13/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Industry, Business and Labor Committee
1/7/2025House
Bill Text
Adopted by the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee
Adopted by the Senate Workforce Development Committee
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Senate Amendments
INTRODUCED
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