Becoming a licensed cosmetologist is a wonderful accomplishment for any beauty pro. Not only does it permit you to legally practice the skills you worked hard to perfect, but it is also validation and a symbol of achievement. You should be proud of your cosmetology licensure.
If you have been licensed as a cosmetologist or another professional within the beauty industry, you know that the benefits are worth the effort, but a license doesn’t erase all of your challenges. In fact, it often presents an extremely frustrating dilemma—if you are licensed in one state, it may not translate to another.
This creates a situation where you may feel trapped and forced to pursue cosmetology licensure in multiple states. It’s not exactly intuitive, but change may be on the horizon.
Cosmetology Licensure Compact Legislation
New legislation that helps alleviate the frustration of multistate cosmetology licensure is pending review and enactment by states. Known as the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, this legislation would simplify the path for cosmetologists and other beauty pros who want to expand their work into multiple states.
If the possibility of interstate freedom has you giddy, you’ll want to keep reading to learn more about this exciting new legislation.
How the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Works
In order for this legislation to reach its full potential, individual states must pass the measure and the Governor must sign it into law. Then, a state will be a member of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. If you are a licensed cosmetologist living in a state that has joined the compact, you can take advantage of the network of other states that have also joined.
First, you would need to submit an application for review. Should you qualify, your state will issue you a multistate license that allows you to practice cosmetology in other states that are a member of the compact.
Put simply, the Cosmetology Licensure Compact permits any qualified cosmetologist to practice their craft in multiple states with one interstate license, thereby eliminating the frustration that accompanies the traditional need to achieve multiple individual state licensures.
The Benefits of Multistate Cosmetology Licensure
The journey to becoming a licensed cosmetologist is not inherently brief or easy. You have to undertake the required education and training, meet requirements set forth by your state, and pass the appropriate tests to receive your license. You then have to maintain that license by meeting the occasional standards your state demands.
Undergoing this process for a single state can be time-consuming and challenging enough. If you are a beauty pro on the go and travel for work, cross state lines often, or are considering a move, getting licensed in multiple states only compounds the burden.
The Cosmetology Licensure Compact removes the barrier of individual licensure in multiple states by allowing you to work in any state that has joined the compact. This means you have the flexibility and freedom to travel, move, and otherwise do what’s necessary to thrive as a beauty pro in a competitive industry.
It also means you only have one license to renew, and that is sure to be a tremendous weight off of your shoulders.
What’s Next?
If the prospect of multistate cosmetology work with a single license is tantalizing to you, you will want to do a little digging. Start by checking to see if your state has joined the compact. If it has, you can take a look at the qualifications you need to receive a multistate license. If you already meet the standards, great! If not, you can begin to work toward that goal.
Keeping tabs on which states have become members is also a good idea. While applying for a multistate cosmetology license is a good idea in general, knowing which states you will be able to work in is important and may play a role in your motivation. Keep in mind that more states might join in the future, so being preemptive by applying now is always a good idea.
The Cosmetology Licensure Compact is a gigantic step toward granting cosmetologists an unencumbered right to travel and work in multiple states with a single license. For some, it could prove to be a game-changer!
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