Chapter 454

454.20   Definitions.

454.21   Limitations and exceptions.

454.22   Practice.

454.23   Licensure.

454.24   Examinations.

454.245   Department approval of accrediting agencies.

454.25   Barbering establishment license.

454.26   Apprenticeship.

454.265   Continuing education.

454.267   Regulatory updates.

454.27   Licensees of other jurisdictions.

454.28   Inspections.

454.285   Disclosure of temporary permit status.

454.287   Advisory committee.

454.29   Disciplinary proceedings and actions.

454.295   Penalties.

Ch. 454 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See definitions in s. 440.01.

subch. I of ch. 454 SUBCHAPTER I

COSMETOLOGY EXAMINING BOARD

454.01 454.01 Definitions. In this subchapter:

454.01(1) (1) “Aesthetician” means a person who practices aesthetics.

454.01(2) (2) “Aesthetics” means, for compensation, caring for or beautifying the skin of the human body, including but not limited to cleaning, applying cosmetics, oils, lotions, clay, creams, antiseptics, powders or tonics to or massaging, stimulating, wrapping or exercising the skin of the human body.

454.01(3) (3) “Apprentice” means a person who is learning the practice of barbering or cosmetology under s. 454.10.

454.01(5m) (5m) “Barbering” has the meaning given in s. 454.20 (2).

454.01(7) (7) “Compensation” means direct or indirect payment, including the expectation of payment whether or not actually received.

454.01(7e) (7e) “Cosmetologist” means a person who practices cosmetology.

454.01(7m) (7m) “Cosmetology” means, for compensation, performing one or more of the following:

454.01(7m)(a) (a) Barbering.

454.01(7m)(b) (b) Aesthetics.

454.01(7m)(c) (c) Manicuring.

454.01(7m)(d) (d) The removal of hair of any person at the root, except by use of an electric needle.

454.01(8) (8) “Electrologist” means a person who practices electrology.

454.01(9) (9) “Electrology” means, for compensation, removing hair from the human body by use of an electric needle.

454.01(10) (10) “Establishment” means any place in which barbering, cosmetology, aesthetics, electrology, or manicuring is performed.

454.01(11) (11) “Examining board” means the cosmetology examining board.

454.01(11m) (11m) “Inactive license” means a license issued under s. 454.06 (2) to (6) that is classified as inactive by the examining board under s. 454.06 (8m).

454.01(13) (13) “Manicuring” means, for compensation, cleansing, cutting, shaping, beautifying or massaging limited to the hands, feet or nails of the human body.

454.01(14) (14) “Manicurist” means a person who practices manicuring.

454.01(15) (15) “Student” means a person who is learning and not licensed to practice barbering, cosmetology, aesthetics, electrology, or manicuring at a school licensed under s. 440.62 (3) or exempted under s. 440.61 or a specialty school licensed under s. 440.62 (4).

454.01(15m) (15m) “Theoretical instruction” has the meaning given in s. 440.60 (17).

454.01(16) (16) “Training hour” means at least 50 minutes but not more than 60 minutes of instruction.

454.01 History History: 1987 a. 265; 2011 a. 146, 190; 2017 a. 82.

454.02 454.02 Limitations and exceptions.

454.02(1) (1) A license to practice cosmetology does not confer the right to diagnose, prescribe for, or treat diseases or conditions except as indicated in the definition of cosmetology in s. 454.01 (7m) or under the direction of a licensed and practicing physician.

454.02(2) (2) Cosmetology, aesthetics, electrology, and manicuring do not include any of the following:

454.02(2)(a) (a) Services performed by a person licensed, certified or registered under the laws of this state as a physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, physical therapist, nurse or funeral director if those services are within the scope of the license, certificate or registration.

454.02(2)(b) (b) Personal care services performed in correctional institutions, hospitals and licensed nursing homes under the supervision of a person responsible for inmate or patient care.

454.02(3) (3) Cosmetology, aesthetics, and manicuring do not include any of the following:

454.02(3)(a) (a) Services performed by masseurs or masseuses.

454.02(3)(b) (b) A service performed preparatory to a live public performance or appearance, whether in-person or through broadcast media, including the Internet.

454.02(3)(bm) (bm) A service performed in the course of the production of any digital, analog, or other recording of a moving or still image intended for public release or broadcast, including through the Internet.

454.02(3)(c) (c) Aesthetics, if performed on the face to demonstrate a product without compensation from a patron other than the sale of the product.

454.02 History History: 1987 a. 265; 1993 a. 105; 2011 a. 190; 2013 a. 356.

454.04 454.04 Practice.

454.04(1) (1) 

454.04(1)(a) (a) Except as permitted under pars. (b) and (d), sub. (1m), and subch. II, no person may engage in cosmetology unless the person has received training in the areas of service provided and holds a current cosmetologist license issued by the examining board that is not an inactive license or temporary permit issued by the examining board or is an apprentice under s. 454.10 or a student in a cosmetology course of instruction.

454.04(1)(b) (b) No person may engage in aesthetics unless the person has received training in the areas of service provided and holds a current aesthetician license or cosmetologist license issued by the examining board that is not an inactive license or temporary permit or training permit issued by the examining board or is an apprentice under s. 454.10 or a student in an aesthetics or cosmetology course of instruction.

454.04(1)(c) (c) No person may engage in electrology unless the person holds a current electrologist license issued by the examining board that is not an inactive license or temporary permit or training permit issued by the examining board or is a student in an electrology course of instruction.

454.04(1)(d) (d) No person may engage in manicuring unless the person has received training in the areas of service provided and holds a current manicurist license or cosmetologist license issued by the examining board that is not an inactive license or temporary permit or training permit issued by the examining board or is an apprentice under s. 454.10 or a student in a manicuring or cosmetology course of instruction.

454.04(1m) (1m) No license is required under this subchapter for the use of thread to remove hair from the eyebrow, upper lip, or other area of the face of a person.

454.04(2) (2) 

454.04(2)(a) (a) No person may use the title “cosmetologist” or any other similar title unless the person holds a current cosmetologist license issued by the examining board that is not an inactive license.

454.04(2)(b) (b) No person may use the title “aesthetician” or any other similar title unless the person holds a current aesthetician license or cosmetologist license issued by the examining board that is not an inactive license.

454.04(2)(c) (c) No person may use the title “electrologist” or any other similar title unless the person holds a current electrologist license issued by the examining board that is not an inactive license.

454.04(2)(d) (d) No person may use the title “manicurist” or any other similar title unless the person holds a current manicurist license or cosmetologist license issued by the examining board that is not an inactive license.

454.04 History History: 1987 a. 265; 1995 a. 231; 2011 a. 190; 2017 a. 82.

454.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Cos 2, Wis. adm. code.

454.06 454.06 Licensure.

454.06(1) (1) Application. All applications for licenses under this section shall be filed with the examining board. No initial license may be issued under this section unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:

454.06(1)(a) (a) The applicant pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a), except as provided in s. 454.13 (1).

454.06(1)(b) (b) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, the applicant presents evidence satisfactory to the examining board that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony committed while engaged in the practice of barbering or cosmetology.

454.06(1)(c) (c) The applicant has graduated from high school or has attained high school graduation equivalency as determined by the department of public instruction; is participating in a program approved by the examining board; or is at least 18 years old and meets the ability to benefit rule under 20 USC 1091 (d).

454.06(2) (2) Cosmetologist license. The examining board shall issue a cosmetologist license to any person who does all of the following:

454.06(2)(a) (a) Satisfies the conditions in sub. (1).

454.06(2)(b) (b) Graduates from a course of instruction of at least 1,550 training hours in not less than 10 months in a school of cosmetology licensed under s. 440.62 (3) (ar), exempted under s. 440.61, or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the board, or has successfully completed an apprenticeship under s. 454.10.

454.06(2)(c) (c) Passes an examination conducted by the examining board to determine fitness to practice cosmetology.

454.06(4) (4) Aesthetician license. The examining board shall issue an aesthetician license to any person who does all of the following:

454.06(4)(a) (a) Satisfies the conditions in sub. (1).

454.06(4)(b) (b) Completes either of the following:

454.06(4)(b)1. 1. A course of instruction in aesthetics of at least 450 training hours in not less than 11 weeks and not more than 30 weeks, in a school of cosmetology or a school of aesthetics licensed under s. 440.62 (3) (ar) or (b), exempted under s. 440.61, or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the board.

454.06(4)(b)2. 2. At least 450 training hours in not less than 11 weeks and not more than 30 weeks under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist or aesthetician in a licensed establishment that is also licensed as a specialty school of aesthetics under s. 440.62 (4) (a).

454.06(4)(c) (c) Passes an examination conducted by the examining board to determine fitness to practice as an aesthetician.

454.06(5) (5) Electrologist license. The examining board shall issue an electrologist license to any person who does all of the following:

454.06(5)(a) (a) Satisfies the conditions in sub. (1).

454.06(5)(b) (b) Completes either of the following:

454.06(5)(b)1. 1. A course of instruction in electrology of at least 450 training hours in not less than 11 weeks and not more than 30 weeks, in a school of cosmetology or a school of electrology licensed under s. 440.62 (3) (ar) or (c), exempted under s. 440.61, or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the board.

454.06(5)(b)2. 2. At least 450 training hours in not less than 11 weeks and not more than 30 weeks under the supervision of a licensed electrologist in a licensed establishment that is also licensed as a specialty school of electrology under s. 440.62 (4) (b).

454.06(5)(c) (c) Passes an examination conducted by the examining board to determine fitness to practice as an electrologist.