MS SB2647

Creates the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering by merging the State Board of Cosmetology and the Board of Barber Examiners into a single nine-member board appointed by the Governor, including representatives from cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, manicuring, schools, and the public

Reduces licensing requirements for cosmetologists, estheticians, and manicurists by lowering the minimum age from 17 to 16 years, changing the education requirement from high school diploma to tenth-grade education, and removing the English fluency requirement

Establishes apprenticeship programs as an alternative pathway to licensure, requiring 3,000 hours for cosmetologists and barbers, 1,200 hours for estheticians, and 700 hours for manicurists (double the schooling hour requirements)

Requires the board to appoint an executive director to serve as a full-time administrator, with salary approved by the State Personnel Board and authority to hire administrative staff

Sets initial board member terms at staggered lengths of two to four years transitioning to six-year terms, with initial appointments required before September 1, 2022, and effective date of July 1, 2022