The California State Board of Cosmetology has proposed changes to its rules and regulations for nail technicians that would increase the required education hours from 350 to 500. The state board believes that the additional emphasis in the nail industry on artificial nails and the increasing number of hazardous chemicals used in the nail salon make it imperative that students get additional training.

The board modified the nail curriculum to include health and safety training on chemicals, health and safety laws, and communicable diseases. The disinfection and sanitation rules were expanded and now state that training on disinfection methods shall “entail performing all necessary functions for disinfecting instruments and equipment…. Disinfection should be emphasized throughout the entire training period and must be performed before use of all instruments and equipment.”

The board deleted the 10 hours of training previously devoted to professional ethics, personal hygiene, salesmanship, decorum, recordkeeping, desk and reception duties, and client cards. Glen Browning, staff services analyst for the state board says a recommendation was added that schools provide training in these areas, but the requirement was deleted because of complaints that these areas do not directly impact public health and safety.

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