posted on: 06/23/2025
Legislative session is winding down in state legislatures across the country, and that means rulemaking is ramping up. In Kentucky, the Board of Cosmetology (Board) issued proposed rules (pages 1878–1897) that impact cosmetology and related professions in the following areas:
- License expiration and fees (dues could double)
- Esthetician scope (let’s add a service for skin care and hair pros!)
- Inspections: when to expect them
- Student life and exams
Give Your Two Cents
AHP invites you to read on to learn more about the proposed rules and how they may affect you and your business. If you’d like to support or oppose the proposed rules, email your feedback to joni.upchurch@ky.gov by June 30.
License Expiration and Fees
The proposed rules would change license expiration dates. Licenses would expire on June 30 of every even-numbered year, regardless of when they were issued. Currently, all licenses must be renewed annually from July 1 through July 31.
In addition, the proposed rules would double renewal fees for professional, business, and school licenses.
Professional License Renewal Fees
- Cosmetologist: $100 (currently $50)
- Esthetician: $100 (currently $50)
- Nail Technician: $100 (currently $50)
- Shampoo Styling: $100 (currently $50)
- Cosmetology Instructor: $100 (currently $50)
- Esthetics Instructor: $100 (currently $50)
- Nail Technology Instructor: $100 (currently $50)
Permit Renewal Fees
- Threading: $100 (currently $50)
- Eyelash Artistry: $100 (currently $50)
- Makeup Artistry: $100 (currently $50)
- Event services: $200 (currently $100)
- Homebound care: $200 (currently $100)
Business and School License Renewal Fees
- Beauty salon: $200 (currently $100)
- Esthetics salon: $200 (currently $100)
- Nail salon: $200 (currently $100)
- Limited facility license for threading, eyelash artistry, or makeup: $200 (currently $100)
- School: $500 (currently $250)
Esthetics Practice Restrictions . . . Let’s Dermaplane!
The proposed rules would remove dermaplaning from the list of prohibited practices and add the service to the esthetician scope of practice.
Dermaplaning procedures for basic exfoliation could be performed by licensed cosmetologists or estheticians if they can provide documentation proving course completion and specialized training in dermaplaning.
Dermabrasion procedures, microneedling procedures, blades, knives, and lancets would remain prohibited, except for:
- Dermaplaning procedures for advanced exfoliation under direct supervision of a licensed physician
- Advanced impurity extraction using a lancet of 2 mm or less
Note: An instructor would not be allowed to provide dermaplaning techniques unless the instructor submits evidence to the Board that demonstrates they have completed a course and specialized training in dermaplaning to safely instruct students.
Inspections: When to Expect Them
The proposed rules would reduce routine inspections per business. Each establishment licensed by the Board would be inspected at least once during the term of its license. Current rules state that a business must be inspected at least twice annually.
Student Life and Exams
The proposed rules would increase the number of hours per day students may spend training in their educational program. A student’s training period could be no more than nine hours per day, while current rules allow no more than eight hours.
Licensed schools or programs of instruction would have to maintain a faculty-to-student ratio of one instructor for every 25 students. Current rules require a ratio of one instructor for every 20 students.
The rules suggest amending the exam retake timeline. An applicant who fails either the theory test or the practical demonstration would not be permitted to retest until one month after receiving a failure notice. Currently, students can retake a portion of the exam three times before being required to wait six months to try again.
Submit comments on the proposed rules by June 30 by emailing joni.upchurch@ky.gov.