HB 4667 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

relating to the practice of barbering and cosmetology

HB 4667 redefines licensing requirements for barbering and cosmetology in West Virginia. It establishes specific training hour requirements (600 hours for aesthetics, 1,200-1,500 hours for barbers, 1,800 hours for cosmetologists) and creates "crossover" pathways allowing licensed professionals to expand services with additional training (e.g., barbers adding cosmetology for 2,100 total hours). The bill adds a salon training program requirement and exempts basic services like haircuts and simple skin care from licensure. This directly affects cosmetology schools, licensed practitioners, and salons by altering training standards and scope of practice.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Last action Jan 23, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 16 edits

MAJOR

The bill significantly redefines the scope of the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists by explicitly excluding hair braiding, threading, blow-dry styling, and makeup application from regulation. It introduces a new 'salon training program' allowing licensed salons to employ unlicensed individuals to perform basic hair services under direct supervision, provided those trainees complete four hours of education. The bill also adds new definitions for various roles and clarifies licensure requirements.

Scope change

The bill narrows the Board's regulatory authority by explicitly exempting specific services (hair braiding, threading, blow-dry styling, makeup application) and creates a new pathway for unlicensed workers to perform limited hair services within licensed salons.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Blow-dry styling', 'Hair braiding', 'Makeup application', 'Threading', 'Hair styling', 'Hair stylist', 'Mobile shop', 'Salon license', and 'Waxing specialist'.

Added a new definition for 'Hair braiding' that explicitly excludes the application of dyes or chemicals to alter hair structure.

Added a new definition for 'Threading' as a hair removal method not regulated by the Board.

Added a new definition for 'Blow-dry styling' which excludes cutting hair or applying dyes/chemicals.

Added a new definition for 'Makeup application' distinguishing it from permanent makeup or tattooing.

Modified the definition of 'Aesthetics' to remove references to 'hands, elbows, and feet' in some contexts and clarify the scope of services.

Modified the definition of 'Cosmetology' to remove references to 'hands, elbows, and feet' in some contexts and clarify the scope of services.

SCOPE

Added a new section stating that hair braiding, threading, blow-dry styling, makeup application, and other unlisted items are not regulated by the Board.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new 'Salon training program' allowing salons to employ unlicensed persons to perform shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling under direct supervision after completing four hours of approved education.

Added a new definition for 'Hair stylist' requiring 1,000 clock hours of training, including an option to complete training via the new salon program.

Added a new definition for 'Salon' and 'Salon license' to support the new training program.

Added a new definition for 'Direct supervision' requiring the physical presence of a licensed practitioner on the premises.

Modified the definition of 'General supervision' to include specific requirements for salons (professional licensee on premises).

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions requiring salons to disclose in writing to consumers that unlicensed providers are working under the training program.

Added liability provisions allowing prevailing plaintiffs to recover attorney's fees if an unlicensed employee causes injury in a participating salon.

Added authority for the Board to immediately cease a salon's participation in the training program if human health is endangered.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

To House Government Adminstration

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Committee

To House Government Organization

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Committee

To Government Organization

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors