AB 625: Barbering and cosmetology.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

The Barbering and Cosmetology Act provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of barbering, cosmetology, and hairstyling by the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and makes liable for a misdemeanor a person, firm, association, or corporation that violates the act unless a specific penalty is otherwise provided. The act requires the board to admit to examination for a license as a hairstylist to practice hairstyling a person who has made application to the board in proper form, paid the fee required by the act, and meets certain qualifications, including that the person completed a course in hairstyling from a school approved by the board.

This bill would repeal those provisions relating to the license as a hairstylist and would make conforming changes.

The act also includes in the practice of barbering certain practices, including shampooing, arranging, dressing, curling, and waving and also the practice of hairstyling of all textures of hair by standard methods that are current at the time of the hairstyling. The act includes in the practice of cosmetology certain practices, including arranging, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, shampooing, beautifying, or otherwise treating the hair of a person.

This bill would remove the practices described above from inclusion in the practices of barbering and cosmetology, respectively. The bill would require a person who engages in the practices of arranging, beautifying, cleansing, curling, dressing, shampooing, or waving the hair of a person at an establishment to provide notice to consumers of the person’s licensure status. By expanding the scope of the crime of violating the act, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. January 31, 2026Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
3. April 8, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
4. March 5, 2025Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.
5. March 4, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.
6. March 3, 2025Referred to Com. on B. & P.
7. February 14, 2025From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.
8. February 13, 2025Read first time. To print.