Many Cosmetologists May Soon Be Unable to Work in North Carolina

Raleigh, NC, April 05, 2007 --(PR.com)-- With less than six months to complete the required 24 credit hours of continuing education needed for relicensing, many people across North Carolina may have to do without their hairstylists after October 1st.

All hairstylists in North Carolina are due to renew their state licenses no later than September 30, 2007. Changes to the re-licensing requirements will catch many cosmetologists lacking the necessary continuing education credits, and they will not be able to legally work after that day.

In May 2004, the North Carolina Legislature amended G.S. 88-B 4; 88B-21 (e) to enact new requirements for cosmetologist re-licensure. The North Carolina Administrative Code 21 NCAC 14R is available at the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners web site: www.nccosmeticarts.com. Cosmetologists are now required to earn 24 credit hours of continuing education during the three-year period between re-licensing.

“I checked the statistics this morning,” said Douglas H. VanEssen, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, on March 22nd. “Of the 45,216 cosmetologists that need to complete Continuing Education [in North Carolina], only 4,608 have completed their requirements. That’s only about 10 percent. Actually, 69 percent of licensees still have less than 12 hours of the required 24 hours of CE. We can only expect a rush of licensees to complete requirements in the next six months.”

Some classes cosmetologists have attended as part of some hair shows may not have earned them the credit hours needed for re-licensing. In addition, failure to meet attendance documentation requirements may leave some cosmetologists short on credit hours. Because of demand, many experienced hair stylists will have to take classes that won’t help them professionally just to fulfill the requirements.

A.E. “Butch” Fussell, founder of Troutman’s Technical College, the largest continuing education provider for cosmetologists, manicurists and estheticians in North Carolina, says: “There are going to be a lot of scared cosmetologists soon. Many will submit their license application only to find out they have not met all the requirements.” According to Fussell, attendance in accredited classes in the last two years has been below expectations. “Cosmetologists are going to be hard pressed to get all their credit hours in if they have not started,” offers Fussell. “There are only so many unfilled seats left in currently approved classes across the State.”

Troutman’s offers courses that benefit hairstylists professionally. Far beyond the latest in make-up and hair trends, the courses include salon and business management, health and nutrition, sanitation, biology and chemistry. “Knowing your product line is very important, but your education cannot stop there,” says Fussell. “Being able to evaluate the unique chemical nature of a client’s hair and choosing the best products and procedures is paramount to a cosmetologist’s success.” Manufacturers and distributors do not typically offer instruction for any products other than their own.

Unlike product supplier sponsored classes, independent schools like Troutman’s Technical College do not push for the purchase and use of specific products. Instead, Troutman’s Technical College focuses on technique, over all knowledge and quality awareness. This means a student at a Troutman’s class can use their current product lines and equipment to achieve the quality results their clients desire.

Cosmetologists may renew their licenses starting July 1st, but only if all the requirements have been met.

About Troutman’s Technical College:
Troutman’s Technical College was the first licensed manicuring school in North Carolina. Founded by the Fussell family 15 years ago, the school is still family owned and operated. Troutman’s Technical College has a 99 percent satisfaction rating by class attendants. Troutman’s instructors include: A.E. “Butch” Fussell, the first male licensed as a manicuring teacher in North Carolina; Jill Skinner, Butch’s daughter, one of only five certified Tammy Taylor educators nationwide; Shawn Towne, Internationally requested artist and master resident artist for Saks Fifth Avenue; Linda Millar Kutzer, certified instructor and salon owner/operator who has taught more continuing education for cosmetologists in North Carolina than any other hair stylist; Serena Milne, former regional director of education at Redken Fifth Avenue International Laboratories; Betty Jean Franks Ph.D., teacher of “Marketing, Management and Motivation” and “ABCs and 123s of Non-Surgical Hair Replacement” classes; as well as Arnie Kasdan, one of the first Paul Mitchell educators; and Veena Butler, who offers advanced hands-on hair extension expertise. Troutman’s offers over 150 classes covering 18 subjects in 19 locations across North Carolina.

For more information, visit www.troutmanscollege.com or call (919) 601-4941

About the Law:
North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 27 – Licensing Board and Commissions

subchapter 14R – continuing education

21 NCAC 14R .0101 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
History Note: Authority G.S. 88B-4; 88B-21(e);
Eff. May 1, 2004;
Amended Eff. January 1, 2006; December 1, 2004.
21 ncac 14r .0102 APPLICATION CRITERIA AND CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE APPROVAL
History Note: Authority G.S. 88-B 4; 88B-21(e);
Eff. May 1, 2004.

21 NCAC 14R .0103 CRITERIA FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES
History Note: Authority G.S. 88B-4; 88B-21(e);
Eff. May 1, 2004;
Amended Eff. January 1, 2006.

21 NCAC 14R .0104 LICENSE RENEWAL PROCEDURES
History Note: Authority G.S. 88B-4; 88B-21(e);
Eff. May 1, 2004;
Amended Eff. December 1, 2004.

Licensing & Governing Authority:
North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
1201 Front Street, Suite 110
Raleigh, NC 27609
Telephone: (919) 733-4117; Fax: (919) 733-4127
www.nccosmeticarts.com
Douglas H. VanEssen, Executive Director

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