During the 2025 Iowa Legislative Session, lawmakers passed House File 711, a bill creating a new pathway for individuals seeking to enter the industry to train in-house at a licensed establishment instead of attending a licensed school.
While the intent was to help address workforce shortages, this law changes the traditional framework of professional training and licensing — and it’s important that industry professionals understand both the opportunities and risks before taking action.
Implementation Timeline
Although HF 711 took effect July 1, 2025, the law cannot be fully implemented until the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences adopts administrative rules. These rules will define critical details such as:
- Program structure and oversight
- Instructor qualifications
- Curriculum content and sanitation requirements
- Record-keeping and reporting
- Student protections
The rulemaking process takes time — even under the fastest possible schedule, it can take at least 153 days, and more realistically, several additional months to move through the process of drafting the regulatory analysis, publishing the draft, holding a public hearing to receive feedback from industry experts, adoption by the legislative committee and final publication. According to the Legislative Services Agency, here’s the typical timeline:
Given this schedule, the final rules are not expected until spring 2026 — and starting new programs is discouraged until those rules are officially adopted and effective.
Why Waiting Matters
Rushing to create a program before the rules are finalized could put salons and students at serious risk. HF 711 does not provide automatic authorization to begin training immediately. The program and establishment could waste time and resources if the program fails to meet standards later established by the Board.
In short: Wait to start! Wait for clear, official guidance from the state board. Again, this is expected in the Spring of 2026.
Key Concerns and Industry Implications
- Quality Education Takes More Than Two Hours
The bill allows for a minimal “2-hour Laws & Sanitation” requirement — far less than what’s necessary for real-world sanitation and safety training. True public-health education requires structured, supervised practice, not a quick box-check course. - Apprenticeships ≠ Free Labor
Without strict oversight, these programs risk becoming unpaid labor opportunities rather than legitimate educational experiences. Real apprenticeships require accountability, curriculum, and mentorship — not just extra hands sweeping floors. - Copyright Restrictions Still Apply
Salon owners cannot simply use professional materials like Pivot Point or Milady content without proper licensing agreements. This means most establishments will need to build their own curriculum — a complex and risky endeavor. - Lowering Standards Doesn’t Solve Staffing Shortages
Workforce challenges stem from wages, benefits, and long-term career support — not from education standards. Cutting corners only leads to unprepared stylists, lower retention, and greater public safety risks. - Trainees Deserve Transferable Credentials
Students completing licensed cosmetology programs can move across state lines and maintain professional recognition. Training that exists only within one establishment limits future mobility and earning potential. - Public Trust Matters
Clients assume their stylist meets consistent, state-approved standards. Undermining that trust jeopardizes the credibility of the entire Iowa beauty industry.
The Bottom Line
HF 711 isn’t a “bridge” to solve Iowa’s workforce crisis — it’s a detour that risks weakening professional standards, client safety, and the reputation of licensed professionals across the state.
Keep Informed, Remain Patient, and Stay Professional.
The best way to strengthen Iowa’s beauty industry is by supporting: Iowa’s credentialed schools; meaningful, accountable apprenticeships; and fair wages and working conditions.
Until the Board adopts final rules — expected spring 2026 — salons and barbershops should sit tight on establishment training programs.
Join us in protecting licensure, the profession, and the public trust that keeps Iowa’s beauty industry strong.