Barbering and cosmetology.

Existing law, the Barbering and Cosmetology Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of barbers and cosmetologists, including the practice of skin care by licensed estheticians, by the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology in the Department of Consumer Affairs. The act defines skin care and requires an applicant for an esthetician license to complete an application, pay an application and examination fee, pass the examination, and meet other educational and practice qualifications, such as the completion of an approved skin care course of instruction, as specified. A violation of the act is a crime, unless otherwise provided. This bill would modify the practice of cosmetology by including the practice of giving facials, the use of esthetic devices, as defined, and performing superficial exfoliation, and would modify the practice of skin care, by including the use of esthetic devices, as defined, and performing superficial exfoliation for these purposes. The bill would require the board to recognize the advanced practice of esthetic by certifying a master esthetician who has completed a 1,200-hour board-approved program in advanced esthetics, but an individual enrolling in a master esthetician course who has completed the 600-hour esthetician course from a board-approved school would only be required to obtain the additional 600 hours of practical and technical training not received in the initial 600-hour esthetician course. The bill would make it an unfair business practice for any person to hold oneself out or use the title "master esthetician" or any other specified term that implies or suggests that the person is certified as a master esthetician without meeting the certification requirements. The bill would also prohibit a person who is not licensed as an esthetician from representing himself or herself as an esthetician. The bill would also clarify that the prohibition on those licensed to engage in barbering, cosmetology, skin care, nail care, and electrolysis to practice medicine or surgery would include, but not be limited to, the use of radiographs, the furnishing of drugs or invasive devices, supervising medical personnel, or diagnosing injury, illness, or disease. Because a violation of these provisions would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.