Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
1929 Gateway Circle •
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Local: (614) 466-3834 •
Statewide: 1-866-642-6723
http://cos.ohio.gov
Governor Strickland has introduced H.B. 1, which is Ohio’s budget bill. This nearly 4,000 page document details how Ohio collects and disperses funds for various operations and entities throughout the state.
The Board has submitted, and received approval for inclusion, two provisions that will greatly impact our industry. The first allow individuals who once had an active license to once again receive an active license WITHOUT RETAKING THEIR STATE BOARD EXAM! That’s right; you heard it here first.
The provision replaces taking the exam with increased CE requirements and the payment of back fees. Pending legislative approval (which will be done before July 1, 2009), the Board will have a procedure in place to get licenses back into the hands of people who would like to re-enter the industry.
The second major law change is the increase in fines. The Board has undergone a huge shift in priorities when it comes to inspection. Gone are the days of Inspectors writing people up for violations not in Ohio Revised Law or Rules. The Board has adopted, trained and mandated an approach of ambassadorship by the inspectors to be educators as well as regulators. This does not mean they will not violate you if it’s warranted, it means the reasons why a violation is documented are clearly defined and defensible in an Administrative Court.
With this change, it is necessary to increase fines to levels that will be a deterrent. The Board will increase fines for first time offenders from $100 to $500 – Second offense from $500 to $1,000 – and third offense to $2,000.
Look for a new brochure in late March that the inspectors will be providing to all salons and licensees to help further educate our industry on how to be successful and protect the general public.
The renewal period has been completed and the Board of Cosmetology is preparing to begin auditing licensees for compliance with continuing education (CE) requirements. The Board will randomly select (from the state licensing database) a percentage of licensees. Those selected licensees will receive a written notice requesting proof that the required amounts of CE hours were completed prior to the renewal of their license. If you are selected, you will be required to comply within 21 days from March 19, 2009.
If you do not have a copy of you CE certificate please contact the provider. The Board does not have your certificates; the board only has sign in sheets for classes. This is what is used to compare your attendance with the provider’s information.
Here is a list of the most common CE providers and their contact information
The licensee must return their information to the board for review. You will be notified by mail only if you do not comply with the audit. Failure to comply with the audit will result in possible fines and suspension of you license.
If you have questions, call the audit department where Sandra Lee and Larie McKenney can assist you at 614-728-8196.
“Clean vs sterile seems to be the question. This is a clean procedure. Tap water is not sterile, but is clean. The fish are transported into clean water before the closely examined and cleaned feet are immersed. After their ‘meal’ of skin the fish are then isolated before getting exposed to another set of pre-cleaned feet. The tank is clean in which they live. Can anyone tell me what bacteria or other harmful organisms could be in their poop? What studies have they found to support this notion that there is a danger? How many infections occur from those who swim in fish ‘infested’ lakes or the warm ocean? We don’t live in a sterile world and sanitary does not mean sterile or we would all need to wear surgical clothes in the salons. To me there is a clear difference in putting dirty feet in the pedicure bath and reusing the water on another person and using this ‘pedicure’ procedure.”
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