Chapter 454

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.

454.06(6) (6) Manicurist license. The examining board shall issue a manicurist license to any person who does all of the following:

454.06(6)(a) (a) Satisfies the conditions in sub. (1).

454.06(6)(b) (b) Completes either of the following:

454.06(6)(b)1. 1. A course of instruction in manicuring of at least 300 training hours in not less than 7 weeks and not more than 20 weeks, in a school of cosmetology or a school of manicuring licensed under s. 440.62 (3) (ar) or (d), exempted under s. 440.61, or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the board.

454.06(6)(b)2. 2. At least 300 training hours of training in not less than 7 weeks and not more than 20 weeks under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist or manicurist in a licensed establishment that is also licensed as a specialty school of manicuring under s. 440.62 (4) (c).

454.06(6)(c) (c) Passes an examination conducted by the examining board to determine fitness to practice as a manicurist.

454.06(7) (7) Posting of license certificates. The examining board shall furnish a certificate to each licensee, certifying that the holder is licensed to practice cosmetology, aesthetics, electrology, or manicuring. The licensee shall post the certificate in a conspicuous place in the licensed establishment. A licensee who holds an inactive license may not post a certificate for that inactive license.

454.06(8) (8) Expiration and renewal. The renewal date for licenses issued under subs. (2) to (6) is specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fees for such licenses are determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). The examining board may not renew a license issued to a person under subs. (2) to (6) unless the person certifies to the examining board that the person has reviewed the current digest under s. 454.125.

454.06(8m) (8m) Inactive licenses.

454.06(8m)(a) (a) Any person who has been issued a license under subs. (2) to (6) may apply to the examining board to classify that license as inactive. Upon application under this paragraph, the examining board may classify a license as inactive if the examining board determines that the person who holds that license is in good standing with the examining board and intends to refrain from the practice that is authorized under the license during the period that the license is an inactive license.

454.06(8m)(b) (b) An inactive license is subject to sub. (8), except that the amount of the renewal fee for an inactive license shall be one-half of the amount of the renewal fee determined by the department for the license under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

454.06(8m)(c) (c) The examining board may remove the inactive classification of an inactive license if the person who holds that inactive license applies to the examining board to remove the inactive classification and the person meets any additional requirements of the examining board.

454.06(8m)(d) (d) A person may perform work that is included in the practice for which that person holds an inactive license if that work is minimal, as determined by the examining board by rule.

454.06(9) (9) Training permit. A person shall obtain a training permit from the examining board before beginning training under sub. (4) (b) 2., (5) (b) 2. or (6) (b) 2. The examining board shall issue a training permit to a person who satisfies the conditions in sub. (1) (b) and (c) and who pays a $10 fee.

454.06(10) (10) Temporary permit.

454.06(10)(a) (a) The examining board may issue a temporary permit to practice as a cosmetologist without examination if the applicant meets all of the requirements of sub. (2) for licensure except passage of an examination and if the applicant is scheduled to take the examination for licensure.

454.06(10)(b) (b) The examining board may issue a temporary permit to practice as an aesthetician without examination if the applicant meets all of the requirements of sub. (4) for licensure except passage of an examination and if the applicant is scheduled to take the examination for licensure.

454.06(10)(c) (c) The examining board may issue a temporary permit to practice as an electrologist without examination if the applicant meets all of the requirements of sub. (5) for licensure except passage of an examination and if the applicant is scheduled to take the examination for licensure.

454.06(10)(d) (d) The examining board may issue a temporary permit to practice as a manicurist without examination if the applicant meets all of the requirements of sub. (6) for licensure except passage of an examination and if the applicant is scheduled to take the examination for licensure.

454.06(10)(e) (e) A temporary permit issued under this subsection is valid for not more than 6 months and may not be renewed. The fee for a temporary permit issued under this subsection is specified in s. 440.05 (6).

454.06 History History: 1987 a. 265; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1995 a. 231; 1997 a. 27; 2007 a. 20; 2011 a. 190; 2013 a. 356; 2017 a. 81, 82.