New Salon Legislation in Iowa: Unlicensed Workers Could Soon Perform Services in Salons

​New Iowa Legislation Could Place Unlicensed Workers in Salons

Iowa House File 711 (HF 711) is a succession bill of House File 49; a bill that was introduced during the 2025-2026 legislative session that proposes the creation of an “establishment training program” for barber shops and hair salons. This program would allow licensed establishments to employ unlicensed workers to perform services such as cutting, coloring, styling and shampooing hair under the supervision of a licensed professional.

Here are bill HF 711’s key factors:

• Education Requirement: Individuals without a license must complete just two hours of education related to Iowa’s barbering and cosmetology laws, rules and sanitation before providing services.

• Supervision: Unlicensed individuals must work under the supervision of a licensed professional who regularly provides the services being performed.

• Establishment Responsibilities: Participating establishments are responsible for ensuring the education, training, skills and competence of the individuals providing services. They must also comply with all facility requirements, safety and infection control provisions and inspection requirements.

• Consumer Disclosure: Establishments must inform consumers in writing prior to receiving services from an unlicensed provider, disclosing the provider’s participation in the training program and lack of licensure.

• Legal Remedies: This new bill allowing untrained individuals to provide salon services, exposes businesses to lawsuits, liability and uninsured workers.

The introduction of this bill not only threatens consumer safety but also erodes public trust in a profession that relies on proper training and licensing to maintain health and hygiene standards.

Iowa Residents: Click here to take action against this bill. Contact your Iowa state elected officials and urge them to oppose HF 711 and SF 41. Your voice matters in protecting Iowans, salons and barbershops.

Visit probeauty.org for more information.