Two bills pending in Ohio's House and Senate are pitting big hair salons against cosmetology schools as lawmakers propose eliminating the state's mandate requiring someone with a manager's license on salon premises at all times.
The identical bills seek a variety of regulatory changes, but the manager's license debate has divided the industry.
Ohio cosmetologists are obligated to undergo 1,500 hours of training at a private school or 1,125 hours at a public vocational school to earn a license. Private schools also offer an additional 300 hours to obtain a manager's license, which allows stylists to manage or work alone in salons.
Salon owners call the manager's license tedious and unnecessary, but beauty schools argue it sets up stylists for successful careers.