NIC Position

NIC's position is summarized as follows:

* NIC opposes the elimination of practical tests and made a joint resolution adopted in 1986 by NIC, NHCA and NACCAS.
* NIC endorses state self-regulation, state by state, of instructional schools for the practice of cosmetology arts and sciences. NIC believes that the state cosmetology boards that have the authority vested in them to license the practitioner, the establishment for the practice, and the school for instruction, are in the best position to influence and establish curriculum, maintain and expand the scope of practice, and protect the rights and welfare of the general public.
* NIC recognizes the importance of continuing education for cosmetology teachers and urges the adoption of continuing education requirements for license renewal of cosmetology teachers in every state.
* NIC supports both written and practical tests as a necessary prerequisite for licensure. Currently NIC has national, newly revised, written, and practical tests.
* To ensure the protection of the public health and safety associated with the practice of cosmetology and related activities, NIC has taken the following position:
* Individuals who provide cosmetology-related services should be licensed.
* Establishments that provide cosmetology-related services should be licensed and have a licensed manager.
* Establishments should be subject to routine health and safety inspections.
* A system should exist for consumers to file complaints, including procedures for disciplinary action of licensees for incompetency and malpractice.

Joint position of the NIC/NCA regarding reciprocity

The following policy was adopted on September 10, 1984 by the delegates attending the 1984 annual conference of the National-Interstate Council of State Board of Cosmetology.

"The National Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association, Inc., and the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc., commit to actively pursue the enactment of Legislation which will allow the cosmetologists, licensed in good standing in one state, to qualify for licensure to practice in another state without examinations."

Resolution of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc. and the Hairdressers and Cosmetologist Association, Inc., and the Association of Accredited Cosmetology Schools, Inc. opposing the elimination of practical (performance) exam

WHEREAS, The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc., The National Hairdressers and Cosmetologist Association, Inc., and The National Association of Accredited Cosmetology Schools, Inc. has been advised that certain States are eliminating the Practical (Performance) Exam for the issuance of cosmetology license; and

WHEREAS, We as a National Organization concerned with the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public submitting themselves to Beauty Salons believe that they receive such services by qualified cosmetologist; and

WHEREAS, We sincerely believe that the Practical (Performance) Exam is essential in order to determine the readiness of people entering the cosmetology profession to offer services to the public efficiently for their protection; and

WHEREAS, It is our sincere belief that the elimination of the Practical (Performance) Exam is a retrogressive act and detrimental to the best interest of those people seeking cosmetology services and to the protection of their health, safety, and welfare.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc., The National Hairdressers and Cosmetologist Association, Inc., and The National Association of Accredited Cosmetology Schools, Inc. go on record as being firmly opposed to the elimination of the Practical (Performance) Exam since in its considered judgment, such action is contrary to the best interest of the public and the standards of the professional practices of cosmetology.

National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc., founders and administrators of National Testing, position paper: regulation of cosmetology schools

It is the position of the National-interstate Council Of State Boards Of Cosmetology, Inc. that the cosmetology boards in each state should maintain the regulatory responsibility for the instructional schools for the practice of the cosmetology arts and sciences.

It seems a fair conclusion that the cosmetology boards, who have the authority vested on them to license the practitioner, the establishment for the practice and the school for the instruction, are in the best position to influence and establish curriculum, maintain and expand the scope of practice and protect the rights and welfare of the general public.

Adopted: August 21, 1990

IV. Continuing education

The following resolution was adopted during our conference call of March 10, 1991:

Realizing that continuing education is a desired goal for all branches of cosmetology and that those States who already require continuing education for license renewal are to be commended, and;

Realizing the importance of excellence in education and the benefits of continuing education for those who teach cosmetology, and;

Realizing the side benefits of continuing education for teachers, by the students and the cosmetology industry as a whole;

Now, therefore, the Continuing Education Committee recommends, that the Executive Board adopt the following position:

"The National-interstate Council Of State Boards Of Cosmetology recognizes the importance of continuing education for cosmetology teachers and urges the adoption of continuing education requirements for license renewal of cosmetology teachers in every state".

Carolyn Ackermann

Lela Roberts

Nedon Muns

V. Public health and safety, 1995

To ensure the protection of the Public Health and Safety associated with the practice of Cosmetology and related activities, the National-Interstate Council has taken the following position:

The practice of Cosmetology and related services should be regulated as follows:

1. Individuals who provide Cosmetology related services should be licensed.

2. Establishments which provide cosmetology related services should be licensed and have a licensed manager.

3. Establishments should be subject to Routine Health and Safety Inspections.

4. A system should exist for consumers to file complaints including procedures for disciplinary action of licensees for incompetency and malpractice.