Cosmetology Guild Of Iowa: CGI
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Learning fuels the soul. In The Guild, we rise together through education, inspiration, and community.
For real. I like this honesty
Share the love and give huge congrats to Jessee Skittrall and the team of Board of Certified Haircolorists. Another win for our industry from hardworking passionate individuals. They drive our industry in the right direction. Giving us the tools, education and advocacy to perform at our highest.
04/15/2026
Fair Financial Aid for Barber & Cosmetology Students
From the Iowa Barber and Cosmetology Schools Association (IBCSA)
I’m thrilled to let you all know your advocacy is making a difference….the House included cosmetology and barber students to access the vocational technical tuition grant program! This is step one of the process. The House bill is out, please find it on page 20, Sect. 11 starting on line 19, including cosmo and barber schools as eligible institutions that qualify for the vocational technical tuition grant program.
We are continuing to work with the Senate to ensure this stays in the bill as it makes it’s way through the process. If you haven’t yet, encourage your State Representative to support this language in the House Education budget bill.
HSB 778 - A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, state board of regents, and department of workforce development, and modifying provisions related to the Iowa special education council, the school budget review committee, and the calculation of basic enrollment, and including applicability provisions.
Take Action: Fair Financial Aid for Barber & Cosmetology Students
From the Iowa Barber and Cosmetology Schools Association (IBCSA)
This is about fairness. This is about opportunity. And this is about the future of our industry in Iowa.
Iowa students deserve equal access to financial aid—no matter where they go to school.
For decades barber and cosmetology students at private schools have been left out of the Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant (IVTG), while students in the same programs at community colleges can receive significantly more state funded financial aid.
That’s not fair—and it’s time to fix it.
Here’s the issue:
• Students in the same career programs are treated differently based only on the school they attend
• Hundreds of eligible barber and cosmetology students cannot access IVTG funding
• These programs train a workforce that is in high demand across Iowa
The solution:
Allow ALL career and technical education students—regardless of institution—to access
Take Action Now�Email your State Senator and Representative and ask them to support equal access to the Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant for barber and cosmetology students. Find Your Legislators at this link. For best accuracy, use your home address rather than zip code or city.
Your voice matters.�Help create fairness, support Iowa’s workforce, and open doors for students like you.
Update + Reminder from IBCSA Leadership:
Keep up the good work. There is work happening behind the scenes on this issue. We are making progress due to yours and student outreach.
KEEP IT UP!!!!
Key Legislators to focus on if you have some time to send emails to these legislators. Keep them short and to the point. Ask them to support equal student aid for students. Keep pushing this out and sending emails. Everyone can send to these legislators as they are all on the education budget committees.
HOUSE
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SENATE
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Take Action:
Send a quick email. Keep it simple. Keep it clear.
Support equal student aid for ALL cosmetology and barbering students in Iowa.
And if you want to stay informed on legislation that impacts your career, students, and our future, make sure you’re connected with IBCSA: add your email and start getting advocacy info right away.
IBCSA Iowa Barber Cosmetology School Association
04/10/2026
Who’s going to the Chicago Hair Show? Give a thumbs up!!!
What classs are you taking and what are you most excited about?
If you see me at the show let’s get a selfie!!!
America's Beauty Show by Cosmetologists Chicago
04/08/2026
ADVOCACY UPDATE — YOUR VOICE IS WORKING
ACTION ALERT
IOWA BEAUTY INDUSTRY: Legislative Matters
Fair Financial Aid for Barber & Cosmetology Students
This is about equity. This is about access. This is about OUR future workforce.
Right now, barber and cosmetology students in Iowa are not being treated equally—and it’s time to fix that.
Read, take action, and use your voice:
Take Action: Fair Financial Aid for Barber & Cosmetology Students
Iowa students deserve equal access to financial aid—no matter where they go to school.
For decades barber and cosmetology students at private schools have been left out of the Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant (IVTG), while students in the same programs at community colleges can receive significantly more state funded financial aid.
Here’s the issue:
• Students in the same career programs are treated differently based only on the school they attend
• Hundreds of eligible barber and cosmetology students cannot access IVTG funding
• These programs train a workforce that is in high demand across Iowa
The solution:
Allow ALL career and technical education students—regardless of institution—to access the IVTG program.
Take Action Now
Email your State Senator and Representative and ask them to support equal access to the Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant for barber and cosmetology students. Find Your Legislators at this link. For best accuracy, use your home address rather than zip code or city.
Your voice matters.
Help create fairness, support Iowa’s workforce, and open doors for students.
Copy + Paste Email Template:
Dear Senator/Representative,
My name is (insert name), and I am (insert your role in barbering/cosmetology). I’m writing to ask you to support expanding the Iowa Vocational Technical Tuition Grant program to include barbering and cosmetology students at private institutions.
Students studying in this field are working toward high demand careers. Yet, despite attending a private institution that meets the same accreditation standards as other programs, they do not have equal access to financial aid. This puts these students a disadvantage when they enter the workforce and build a career.
Private cosmetology and barber schools serve students from all 99 counties, and their graduates go on to open small businesses, support local economies, and provide essential services in towns across the state. Providing fair and equal access to this grant program would strengthen Iowa’s workforce and help more students in need succeed.
(Insert personal story if desired.)
Please support equitable tuition assistance so all students have the same opportunity, no matter their school.
Sincerely,
(insert name and your HOME address)
Stay Informed. Stay Ready. Stay Ahead.
If you want real, up-to-date information on legislation and what’s happening in our industry, you NEED to be plugged in.
Sign up for updates here: http://ibcsa.org/
The Iowa Barber and Cosmetology Schools Association (IBCSA) is one of the most reliable sources for staying current on laws, changes, and advocacy efforts that directly impact YOU.
Because let’s be honest
We can’t fight for our industry if we don’t know what’s happening in it.
IBCSA Iowa Barber Cosmetology School Association
04/06/2026
Hello Fellow Guilders. Who’s going to be at the America's Beauty Show ??? America's Beauty Show by Cosmetologists Chicago
If you’re going to be there let me know in the comments and I hope to run into you!!! Let’s get some selfies!!!
I'm 2 weeks away from being surrounded by thousands of people who share my passion at ABS 2026 this April.
If you're feeling a little burnt out or just need a creative spark, come to Rosemont with me. Let's get inspired, grab those 40+ CEUs, and remember why we fell in love with this industry.
Grab your ticket here:
Register for America's Beauty Show | April 18 - 20, 2026 Join beauty pros at America’s Beauty Show to explore trends, connect with top brands, and grow your career—all under one roof!
03/23/2026
Highly recommend Elaine Travis Education Expert Color Solutions She is experienced and down to earth. Breaks everything down in a way that makes sense.
Bonus!!! looks who is on the panel!!!! Jessee Skittrall of Atarashii Apprentice Program.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BjCrdgyhT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Live Haircolorist Panel + Q&A A Live Virtual Event giving you a front-row seat as expert colorists explain exactly how they'd handle real client challenges — and the reasoning behind every decision.
Educated. Informed. United — Protecting the Standards of Our Industry
Hello Guilders,These are my short and to-the-point notes from the Iowa Sanitation & Law class I sat in on tonight. The class was taught by Stephanie Egland and brought to us by SalonCentric.
Huge shoutout to Stephanie for taking the time to teach what can sometimes feel like boring old law and breaking down that old language into something we can actually understand.
The notes I’m sharing are basic takeaways that I typed up during the class. My hope is that they help point you in the right direction and encourage you to learn more.
That said, please do yourself a favor and take an Iowa Law & Sanitation class yourself. There is no substitute for hearing the material directly and having the chance to ask questions.
I’m sharing these notes simply to help guide and support our community. As always, do your own due diligence—look up the information, read and reread the laws, and go directly to the source when you can.
Some of the best ways to stay informed are:
• Reading the Iowa laws and rules yourself
• Calling the board if you have questions
• Taking Iowa Law classes from educators who have invested their time in teaching this material
Please share this information with others in the industry so we can all stay informed and continue supporting one another.
I made this video because sometimes information hits differently when it’s coming from a real person instead of a wall of text.
I created this video to add some context to the Iowa Law & Sanitation notes I shared below.
Sometimes reading through rules and regulations can feel overwhelming, and I wanted to talk through why this information matters to our industry and why it’s important that we understand it.
This video is simply an invitation —
to read the information, ask questions, and take the next step in learning it for yourself.
The goal isn’t just to post information.
The goal is to build a more informed and connected professional community.
So watch the video, read through the notes, and if something sparks your interest, take a deeper dive. Read the laws, take a class, ask questions, and continue learning from the direct sources.
Knowledge is one of the strongest tools we have in protecting and strengthening our industry.
This is a copy and paste of my notes go ahead and copy and paste these into ChatGPT and ask it to give you an outline, and it will be much easier to read 
Iowa Barbering & Cosmetology Regulatory Overview
Iowa Law & Infection Control for Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nails & Barbering
Featured Artist / Presenter
Stephanie Egeland
Program Source
SalonCentric – The Playbook (SalonCentric Pro Education)
Iowa Barbering & Cosmetology Regulatory Overview
I. Regulatory Authority
A. Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL)
Purpose
Protect the health, safety, and well-being of Iowans.
Professional Licensure Division oversees licensing for regulated professions including:
Cosmetology
Barbering
Esthetics
Nail Technology
Electrology
Instructors
Contact
Website
DIAL.Iowa.gov
Address
6200 Park Ave., Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50321
Phone
515-281-DIAL
844-281-DIAL
II. Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences
A. Board Formation
The Barbering and Cosmetology Boards merged July 1, 2023.
B. Board Responsibilities
The board:
Evaluates license applicants
Issues licenses
Establishes rules
Protects public health, welfare, and safety
Professions overseen:
Cosmetology
Barbering
Esthetics
Nail Technology
Instructor
Electrology
III. Board Staff
Board Executive: Mary Collins
Licensure Specialist: Maya Schilling
Secretary – Application & Renewal Bureau: Sheri Cord
Contact email
[email protected]
IV. Board Composition
Total Members
7 members
Term Length
3-year terms
Terms are staggered.
Quorum
4 members required
Representation
Licensed barbers/cosmetologists
Ashley Haack
Shelby Kuntzweiler
1 vacant seat
Instructor representative
Cynthia Hummel (Chair)
Electrologist / Esthetician / Nail Tech
Vivian Huyen
School owner
Andrew Oswald
Public member
Vacant
V. Board Appointment
Board members are:
Appointed by the Governor
Confirmed by the State Senate
There is no maximum term limit.
VI. Laws vs Rules
Laws
Written by the Iowa Legislature.
Found in the Iowa Code.
Laws define:
Scope of practice
Professional authority
Example
Iowa Code Chapter 157
Rules
Written by the Board.
Explain how laws are implemented.
Found in:
Iowa Administrative Code
Administrative rules carry the force of law.
VII. Key Administrative Rule Chapters
Chapter 940
Licensure of individuals
Chapter 941
Licensure of establishments and schools
Chapter 943
Infection control
Chapter 944
Continuing education
Chapter 945
Disciplinary actions
Chapter 507
Licensing fees
VIII. Individual License Renewal
- Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
- Deadline
March 31
- Grace period
April 1 – April 30
If not renewed, License becomes inactive or lapsed
- Renewal window
Up to 60 days before expiration
IX. License Renewal Process
Renew through the online licensing portal.
Requirements
Create account
Pay by credit card
System features
Renewals processed automatically
License becomes active same day
License cards
Sent by email
Must be printed and displayed
X. Continuing Education
(Chapter 944)
A. Required Hours
Each renewal cycle requires:
4 hours discipline training
2 hours Iowa Law
Total requirement:6 CE hours
Applies to:
Cosmetology
Barbering
Esthetics
Nail Technology
B. Dual License Requirements
Licensees holding multiple licenses must complete discipline hours for each license held.
- Example: Cosmetology + Instructor license
Required CE
4 hours Cosmetology discipline
4 hours Instructor discipline
2 hours Iowa Law
- Total required:10 CE hours
Important: Iowa Law hours are only required once, regardless of number of licenses.
C. Discipline vs License Type Clarification
Continuing education is tracked by discipline, not simply by total hours.
Courses must match the license being renewed.
- Example: A haircutting course counts toward cosmetology discipline hours, but not instructor discipline unless the course relates to:
Teaching methods
Curriculum development
Educational theory
Instructor responsibilities
D. CE Carryover Rule
(IAC 944.2(5))
Licensees may carry forward excess CE hours.
Rules
Up to 50% of required hours may carry forward
Maximum 3 hours
Restrictions
The following cannot carry forward:
Iowa Law hours
Infection control hours
Only discipline hours may carry forward.
E. License Reactivation
Lapsed 1–5 Years
Requirements
6 CE hours
$120 reactivation fee
Lapsed Over 5 Years
Requirements
12 CE hours
$120 reactivation fee
F. Approved CE Providers
Continuing education may be offered by:Professional organizations
National associations
State associations
Local associations
Educational institutions
Barbering schools
Cosmetology schools
Colleges
Universities
Community colleges
Other providers
Textbook publishers
Laser training providers
IPL training providers
Microdermabrasion providers
XI. Chapter 945 — Disciplinary Action
Covers:
Violations
Investigations
Complaints
Disciplinary penalties
License suspension or revocation
Referencehttps://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/481.945.pdf
XII. Infection Control Update
(IAC 943.18 – Neck Protection)
Rules for neck protection
A clean cape or disposable cape may touch the client’s neck.
If the cape is not sanitized:A barrier must be used:
Paper neckband
Clean towel
Cloth neckband
Rules
Paper neckbands single use only
Towels must be laundered before reuse
Non-porous neckbands must be cleaned and disinfected
Sanitized neckbands must be stored in a closed container.
XIII. Major Regulatory Changes (“Domino Effect”)
1. Barber Practical Exam Removed
2. Updated Terminology: Barber and Cosmetology
Reflects the combined board and licensing structure.
3. Updated Terminology: Establishment
Because barbering and cosmetology licenses are now combined, businesses are no longer classified separately as:
Barber shops
Cosmetology salons
They are now referred to as licensed establishments.
4. Mobile Barbering Rules
Mobile establishments are now permitted, because licensing is combined:
Cosmetologists may also operate or work in mobile establishments, not just barbers anymore.
5. Shaving Certification for Cosmetologists
Cosmetologists may perform face shaving with certification.
Requirements
40-hour shaving certification course
Cosmetologists were not grandfathered in.
Barbers may now perform: with added education
Manicures
Pedicures
Waxing
However, barbers were not grandfathered in either.
They must complete education and training for those services.
6. Creation of Blow Dry Stylist Classification
A Blow Dry Stylist is a limited-service employee working within a licensed establishment.
They do not need a cosmetology license, but must complete:2 hours of Iowa Law and Sanitation training
Allowed services:
Basic hair washing
Blow drying
Hair styling
Restrictions
They cannot:
Perform chemical services
Rinse chemicals out of the hair
Perform licensed cosmetology services beyond their limited scope
XIV. Why These Changes Happened
Many rule changes came from industry modernization and board consolidation.
Key factors include:
Board Consolidation
Barber and Cosmetology Boards merged in 2023.
Modernization
Rules updated to reflect:
Mobile services
New service roles
Evolving salon business models
Workforce Flexibility
Created additional entry pathways into the industry.
Examples:
Blow dry stylist classification
Expanded scopes with training
Public Safety
Training and certifications remain required for services that affect health and sanitation.
XV. Shaving Certificate
Requirements
40-hour course
Allows shaving on:
Face
Neck
Scalp
Training must be provided by:
Licensed school
Program sponsored by licensed school
Example provider mentioned
Clippernomics Academy of Hairstyling — Des Moines
XVI. One-Year Permit
Used for off-site services or events.
Requirements
Apply online
$40 fee
Restrictions
No chemicals
No lasers
No machines
Allowed services
Makeup
Lash services
Nail polish application/removal
Hairstyling
Hair cutting only allowed in a home setting.
XVII. Demonstration / Non-Profit Permit
Apply 30 days in advance
Fees
$42 per day
$12 each additional day
Maximum
12 days
Limit
4 permits per year
XVIII. Readily Movable Establishment (Mobile Salon)
Examples
Motorhome
Trailer
RV
Mobile home
Requirements
Hot and cold water
Adequate lighting
Non-porous flooring
Safety
Cabinets secured
Chemicals secured during transport
First aid kit required
XIX. Education Program Changes
Cosmetology training requirement reduced to:1,550 hours
XX. State Board Exam Changes
Exams now:
Provisional
Taken on personal computer
XXI. Establishment Training Program
New program being developed.
Licensed establishments may register.
Applies to establishments licensed under 157.11.
Includes residential establishments under 157.6.
Proposed Rules
(Proposed Rules – Not Finalized)
Establishments wishing to participate must:
Be a licensed establishment
Register with the State
Supervision Requirements
Program must be supervised by an active licensed instructor.
Rules
Trainee must always work under the instructor
Instructor must remain actively with the trainee
Instructor cannot leave the trainee to service clients
One trainee per instructor
Pre-Client Training Requirement
Before performing services on clients:Trainee must complete 2 hours Iowa Law & Sanitation
Training Requirements
Total supervised training: 2,000 hours
Training must include
410 hours clinical instruction
590 hours theory instruction
Theory prepares trainee for state board exam.
Program Responsibilities
The establishment must provide:
Liability insurance
All equipment and teaching tools
Theory textbook or e-book
Tuition and Compensation
The establishment cannot charge tuition to the trainee.
However:
The establishment may charge clients for services
The trainee may be paid as an employee for work performed
XXII. Proposed Future Licenses
Under discussion:
Hair-only license
Esthetician / Nail Tech combination license
Not finalized.
XXIII. Establishment Self-Inspection Checklist
Recommended every 6 months.
Purpose: Identify sanitation or compliance issues.
Deficiencies should be corrected immediately.
Last update was
September 20, 2024
Go to dial.Iowa.Gov to find the Self Inspection Checklist to make sure you are in compliance with the la
03/10/2026
Working Backstage at Paris Fashion Week: My Hair Couture Show + Four Runway Shows in One Day — Bespoke Beauty The last two days have been some of the most intense days of this entire trip. Day 10 in Paris was my first official day working backstage during Paris Fashion Week for the Hair Couture show. Hair Couture is a little different from the traditional runway shows during fashion week. Instead of execu
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