Cosmetology Legislation to Improve Safety

Legislation was introduced today to help improve the regulation and safety of Nova Scotia's cosmetology industry.

The Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia is responsible for administering the provincial Cosmetology Act. The association requested amendments to the act to meet changes in the industry and to increase the safety and quality of its members' services.

"Increasing consumer safety is the main goal of this legislation," said Education Minister Jane Purves, whose department is responsible for training-related legislation. "Updating the Cosmetology Act with better structures for regulation means that people who use the services of hairstylists and estheticians can be assured of these professionals' skills."

Currently, some private cosmetology schools require only Grade 10 courses as prerequisites for admission. The proposed legislation will give the association the authority to set minimum entrance requirements for cosmetology training programs.

Once enrolled in a cosmetology program, students need to gain experience. To provide this experience, schools offer services to consumers at reduced prices. The proposed amendments will provide for student cards, which serve as licences for the students to perform services under supervision. The cards will also remind consumers that students are doing the work.

The current legislation addresses only part of the esthetics sector of the industry, which is growing at a rapid pace. Only hairstylists have voting rights within the cosmetology association. The amendments will bring estheticians into the association by giving them voting rights. It will also establish training requirements, provide licences for qualified professionals and allow for better regulation of their services.

"The cosmetology association is very excited about the amendments to the act which will help us monitor and regulate the training, examining, licensing and sanitation practices of estheticians, for the protection of Nova Scotians," said association president Edon MacDonald.

The cosmetology association has about 6,000 members across the province. Basic cosmetology training programs are offered at eight private career colleges and 10 campuses of the Nova Scotia Community College.