A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT making clarifying changes under the laws regulating the practice of cosmetic art and extending the period within which persons practicing as natural hair care specialists are required to be licensed under the north carolina Cosmetic art act.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 88B‑11(e) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(e)	The Board shall issue a license to practice as a natural hair care teacher to any individual who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following:
(1)	Holds in good standing a natural hair care license issued by the Board.
(2)	Submits proof of either practice as a natural hair care specialist in a cosmetic art shop or any Board‑approved employment capacity in the cosmetic art industry for a period equivalent to two years of full‑time work immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 320 hours of a natural hair care teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.
(3)	Passes an examination for natural hair care teachers conducted by the Board."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 88B‑21(e) reads as rewritten:
"(e)	Prior to renewal of a license, a teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall annually complete eight hours of Board‑approved continuing education for each year of the licensing cycle. A cosmetologist may complete up to 24 hours of required continuing education at any time within the cosmetologist's three‑year licensing cycle. Licensees shall submit written documentation to the Board showing that they have satisfied the requirements of this subsection. A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist, has practiced for at least 10 consecutive years in that profession, and is 60 years of age or older does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection. A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist and has at least 20 consecutive years of experience in that profession does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection. Promotion of products and systems shall be allowed at continuing education given in‑house or at trade shows. Continuing education classes may also be offered in secondary languages as needed. No member of the Board may offer continuing education courses as required by this section."
SECTION 3.  Section 13 of S.L. 2009‑521 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 13.(a)  Any natural hair care specialist who meets the following requirements shall be licensed without having to satisfy the requirements of G.S. 88B‑10.1, enacted by Section 2 of this act:
(1)	Submits proof to the Board that the natural hair care specialist is actively engaged in the practice of a natural hair care specialist for two years on or before July 1, 2011. For purposes of this subdivision, submission of proof to the Board shall include any of the following:
a.	Any two of the following:
1.	Copies of tax records of employment, including W‑2s, 1099s, tax returns, or other relevant tax records.
2.	An affidavit from the applicant or the applicant's immediate supervisor, when applicable, verifying the applicant's practice of natural hair care for two years immediately preceding the date of application for licensure.
3.	Copies of an applicable business license issued by a local government agency.
b.	Any other means of proof acceptable to the Board.
(2)	Passes a practical examination as approved by the Board.
(3)	Pays the required fee under G.S. 88B‑20, enacted by Section 2 of this act.
"SECTION 13.(b)   A cosmetic art shop that practices natural hair care only and that submits proof to the Board that the shop is actively engaged in the practice of natural hair care on the effective date of this act shall have one year from the date of this act to comply with the requirements of G.S. 88B‑14. All persons who do not make application to the Board within one year of the effective date of this act shall be required to complete all training and examination requirements prescribed by the Board and to otherwise comply with the provisions of Chapter 88B of the General Statutes."
SECTION 4. Section 14 of S.L. 2009‑521 reads as rewritten: 
"SECTION 14. Section 1.2 of this act is effective when it becomes law. The remainder of this act becomes effective July 1, 2013, and applies to acts occurring on or after that date."
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.