Chapter 454

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.

454.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. Cos 8 and 9, Wis. adm. code.

454.07 454.07 Examinations.

454.07(1) (1) The examining board shall, in accordance with s. 440.07 (2), conduct examinations for cosmetologist, aesthetician, electrologist, and manicurist licenses not less than 8 times annually, at times and places determined by the examining board.

454.07(2) (2) Examinations of applicants for licenses issued under s. 454.06 (2) to (6) shall consist of written tests and practical demonstrations requiring applicants to demonstrate minimum competency in services and subjects substantially related to practice and public health and safety.

454.07(4) (4) An applicant shall file an application for examination in the office of the examining board at least 3 weeks before the examination. If an applicant fails to file the application within the required time, the examining board may postpone the applicant’s examination to the date of the next available regular examination. The examining board may require an applicant who fails to appear for or to complete an examination to reapply for examination. An applicant who fails an examination may request reexamination and shall pay a fee for reexamination, according to the procedures and fees established under s. 440.06.

454.07 History History: 1987 a. 265; 2011 a. 190; 2013 a. 114; 2017 a. 82.

454.07 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Cos 7, Wis. adm. code.

454.075 454.075 Examining board approval of accrediting agencies. The examining board shall identify by rule the accrediting agencies it approves to accredit schools for the purpose of satisfying educational requirements for an initial license or a license renewal under this subchapter.

454.075 History History: 2013 a. 356.

454.08 454.08 Establishment licenses.

454.08(1) (1) 

454.08(1)(ag) (ag)

454.08(1)(ag)1. 1. The examining board shall promulgate rules permitting the practice of electrology outside of a licensed establishment.

454.08(1)(ag)2. 2. The examining board shall promulgate rules permitting the use of a chemical process in the practice of cosmetology, aesthetics, or manicuring outside of a licensed establishment, except that the examining board may not promulgate any rule that restricts the use of a chemical process in cutting or styling hair in the practice of cosmetology or applying cosmetics, oils, lotions, clay, creams, antiseptics, powders, or tonics in the practice of aesthetics.

454.08(1)(ar) (ar) A person may practice cosmetology, aesthetics, or manicuring outside of a licensed establishment if all of the following apply:

454.08(1)(ar)1. 1. The person owns, manages, is employed by, or is affiliated with an establishment that is licensed to provide that service under sub. (2).

454.08(1)(ar)2. 2. The person brings the certificate furnished to the person under s. 454.06 (7), or a copy, to the location where cosmetology, aesthetics, or manicuring is practiced.

454.08(1)(ar)3. 3. The service provided by the person does not involve the use of a chemical process, except for the use, outside of a licensed establishment, of a chemical process in cutting or styling hair in the practice of cosmetology or applying cosmetics, oils, lotions, clay, creams, antiseptics, powders, or tonics in the practice of aesthetics.

454.08(1)(b) (b) Except as permitted under par. (ag) or (ar), no person may practice cosmetology, aesthetics, electrology, or manicuring in an establishment unless the establishment is licensed to provide that practice under sub. (2).

454.08(2) (2) The examining board shall issue the following establishment licenses:

454.08(2)(a) (a) A cosmetology establishment license that authorizes the practice of barbering, cosmetology, aesthetics, electrology, and manicuring in the licensed establishment.

454.08(2)(b) (b) An aesthetics establishment license that authorizes the practice of aesthetics in the licensed establishment.

454.08(2)(c) (c) An electrology establishment license that authorizes the practice of electrology in the licensed establishment.

454.08(2)(d) (d) A manicuring establishment license that authorizes the practice of manicuring in the licensed establishment.

454.08(3) (3) The examining board shall issue an establishment license to any person who pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a) and who satisfies the requirements established by the examining board by rule, including proof of ownership of the business. Any change of ownership shall be reported to the examining board by the new owner within 5 days after the change of ownership.

454.08(4) (4) The examining board shall, by rule, establish minimum standards concerning the maintenance, equipment, plans, and specifications for licensed establishments as they relate to the public health and safety. The examining board may not promulgate a rule requiring the use of a tuberculocidal disinfectant by a barber or cosmetologist in an establishment licensed under this section. The examining board may not license an establishment under this section unless it meets the standards established by the examining board. A person proposing to open an establishment in a new location shall apply to the examining board for an inspection and approval of the establishment, submitting an exact description and floor plan of the proposed location of the establishment on a form provided by the department.

454.08(5) (5) A person who is not licensed under s. 454.06 by the examining board may own or operate an establishment, but may not practice barbering, cosmetology, aesthetics, electrology, or manicuring.

454.08(6) (6) A person who owns a cosmetology establishment shall employ at least one person as a manager who holds a cosmetology license and manages the establishment on a full-time basis. The manager of a cosmetology establishment shall ensure that the establishment operates in compliance with this subchapter and rules promulgated by the examining board.

454.08(7) (7) Commercial businesses and practices other than barbering or cosmetology may be operated within a licensed establishment, except that a business or practice which poses a sanitation or health hazard may not be conducted within a licensed establishment.

454.08(8) (8) The examining board shall furnish a certificate to the owner of a licensed establishment, certifying that the establishment is licensed by the examining board. The owner shall post the certificate in a conspicuous place in the establishment.

454.08(9) (9) The renewal date for licenses issued under this section is specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fee for such licenses is determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

454.08 History History: 1987 a. 265; 1991 a. 39; 1997 a. 27; 2007 a. 20; 2011 a. 146, 190, 193; 2013 a. 165; 2017 a. 82.

454.08 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Cos 3, Wis. adm. code.

454.10 454.10 Apprenticeship.

454.10(1) (1) All apprentices shall be employed under an apprentice contract under s. 106.01 and shall be governed by s. 106.01, the apprenticeship rules of the department of workforce development, and the rules of the examining board.

454.10(2) (2) Apprentices shall receive at least 3,712 hours of practical training and at least 288 training hours of theoretical instruction 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 in order to complete the apprenticeship program and be eligible to take the examination for a cosmetologist license. Apprentices shall receive training for a total of at least 32 hours per week. The training shall be completed in not less than 2 years and not more than 4 years.

454.10(3) (3) 

454.10(3)(a) (a) No apprentice under this section may practice cosmetology except under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist whose cosmetology license is not an inactive license and who has completed at least 2,000 hours of practice as a licensed cosmetologist.

454.10(3)(b) (b) Apprentices shall be trained in all branches of practical work and in all subjects required to be taught in schools of barbering or cosmetology as prescribed by the examining board by rule.

454.10(4) (4) A person who has successfully completed the requirements of sub. (2) may not continue to practice as an apprentice but may apply for a temporary permit under s. 454.06 (10) (a).

454.10 History History: 1987 a. 265; 1995 a. 27 s. 9130 (4); 1995 a. 231; 1997 a. 3; 2009 a. 189, 291; 2011 a. 190; 2013 a. 356; 2017 a. 82.

454.10 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Cos 6, Wis. adm. code.

454.12 454.12 Continuing education. The examining board may impose continuing education requirements on a person who holds a license under this subchapter that is not an inactive license as a part of the disciplinary process to ensure competency.

454.12 History History: 1987 a. 265; 2011 a. 190; 2017 a. 81.

454.125 454.125 Regulatory updates.

454.125(1) (1) At the time the department gives notice of renewal under s. 440.08 (1), the department shall send, by electronic mail, to each person granted a license under s. 454.06 (2) to (6) a digest that describes changes to statutes and rules that affect the practice of cosmetology, aesthetics, manicuring, or electrology.

454.125(2) (2) The department shall make available at all times on its Internet site the digest described in sub. (1).

454.125 History History: 2017 a. 81.