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Minutes August 3, 2026 - Maryland Board of Cosmetologists Meeting - Cosmetologists

A meeting of the State Board of Cosmetologists was held on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 10:00
A.M. via teleconference for members of the public. Board members attended the meeting in person at 100 S. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

Board Member Attendees

Ms. Lisa Ennis, Chairperson
Ms. April Kenney, Cosmetologist Member
Ms. Kelly Canty, Consumer Member
Ms. Yasmine Young, Cosmetologist Member Ms. Katrina Lee, Esthetician Member (Absent) Ms. Kyra Jones, School Member
Vacant, Cosmetologist Member

Other Staff Attendees

Ms. Nicole Fletcher, Executive Director
Ms. Breona Scott, Assistant Executive Director (Absent)
Ms. Leslie Braxton, Licensing Supervisor Ms. Daniece Jefferson, Board Administrator Ms. Peggy Dall’Acqua, Advice Counsel
Mr. Kenneth Sigman, Advice Counsel

Agenda

Quorum Announced and Meeting Called to Order

A quorum was announced by Chairperson Ms. Lisa Ennis and the meeting was called to order at 10:23 A.M.

APPROVAL OF AUGUST 3, 2026 AGENDA

Chairperson Ms. Lisa Ennis requested a motion for approval of the August 3, 2026 agenda. Ms. April Kenney made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Ms. Kelly Canty, and the agenda was unanimously approved.

APPROVAL OF JUNE 1, 2026 MINUTES

Chairperson Ms. Lisa Ennis requested a motion to approve the minutes from the June 1, 2026 meeting. Ms. Kelly Canty made a motion to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Ms. April Kenney, and the motion unanimously passed.

New Business

  1. RECAP OF JUNE 1, 2026 MEETING

    Chairperson Ms. Lisa Ennis provided a brief recap of the June 2026 Board meeting, highlighting several key topics discussed during the previous session, including updates regarding the examination vendor procurement process, apprenticeship restart requests, apprenticeship hours and reporting, the Esthetician Scope of Practice Guidance Document, and curriculum approvals. Ms. Ennis also noted that the Board approved Tom Nguyen’s Nail Technician apprenticeship restart request for a one-year term and approved the Esthetician Scope of Practice Guidance Document for publication. The Board also received updates regarding the approval of Fernandez Beauty Institute’s Eyelash Extension Technician program and Transformation Beauty and Barber Academy’s cosmetology program, which remained pending final institutional approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

  2. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ROSTER UPDATE

    Executive Director Ms. Nicole Fletcher provided an administrative staff roster update, noting that Ms. Daniece Jefferson began her position effective June 17th. Ms. Fletcher also announced that Ms. Peggy Dall'Acqua is no longer serving as Board Counsel. Mr. Kenneth Sigman is serving as interim legal counsel until the department hires a permanent replacement. The Board thanked Ms.
    Dall'Acqua for her dedication and service and wished her the best in her future endeavors.

    Additionally, the Board’s investigative team has been expanded with the addition of Kimberly Waller as a full-time investigator, along with Kevin Houchens and Nadia Trent, who have joined as PDM investigators. The Department is also in the process of posting an additional full-time contractual investigative position, which is expected to be available on the Department’s website soon. The two per diem investigators are still completing the HR process and are expected to be onboarded within the next few weeks.

  3. MHEC-CONVERSION FROM CLOCK HOURS TO CREDIT HOURS

    Executive Director Ms. Nicole Fletcher explained MHEC’s conversion from clock hours to credit hours, stating that MHEC has recently begun receiving inquiries from cosmetology schools and private career institutions interested in converting their programs from clock hours to academic credit hours. Private career schools may measure instructional time using either clock hours or credit hours with approval from the Secretary of Higher Education, provided they use a consistent conversion methodology and continue to meet the established educational competency standards. Ms. Fletcher then opened the discussion for the Board to provide their views on the matter. The Board stated that they are not opposed to the conversion as long as the timeframe for obtaining licensure and the licensing requirements do not change. Ms. Yasmine Young stated to keep it as is; she doesn’t see the benefit, and it would be helpful to receive more insight on why they want to switch.

  4. APPRENTICE RESTART

    Ms. Daniece Jefferson presented the apprenticeship restart requests to the Board. Ms. Jefferson first called for Apprentice Destiny Bennett, who was not present. The Board then heard from Ms. Alina Hua and her sponsor regarding her request to restart her apprenticeship. Following discussion of the circumstances of the request, the Board unanimously voted not to approve the restart at this time and requested that Ms. Hua attend the September Board meeting. The Board indicated that the additional time would allow the sponsor to demonstrate an understanding of the apprenticeship requirements, including properly reporting apprentice hours and fulfilling the responsibilities of the sponsorship. Ms. Jefferson advised Ms. Hua that Board staff would provide the details for the September meeting.

    Ms. Jefferson then presented the apprenticeship restart request for Ms. Darlena Nguyen. Ms. Nguyen and her sponsor were present and provided an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the request. Following discussion, Chairperson Ms. Lisa Ennis called for a motion to approve the apprenticeship restart. Ms. Kelly Canty made the motion, which was seconded by Ms. April Kenney. The motion passed unanimously.

  5. RECIPROCITY CASE REVIEW – DANIEL DINH

    Executive Director Nicole Fletcher presented the reciprocity case of Daniel Dinh for Board review. The Board reviewed Mr. Dinh’s account history, including his previous Maryland Nail Technician license and cosmetologist license, as well as a historical account flag regarding further licensure.
    Mr. Dinh was allowed to address the Board and explained that he was seeking reinstatement of his Nail Technician license.
    Following discussion, Executive Director Fletcher requested a motion to approve the reinstatement of Mr. Dinh’s Nail Technician license. Ms. April Kenney made the motion, which was seconded by Ms. Kelly Canty. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Fletcher advised Mr. Dinh that he would be provided with the reinstatement details and application.

  6. APPRENTICE APPROVED SPONSOR LIST

    Executive Director Ms. Nicole Fletcher provided an update regarding the newly established Apprentice Approved Sponsor List, which is available on the Department’s website and will be updated monthly. Sponsors completing the apprenticeship Jot Form may elect to have their name, email address, license number, and zip code included on the list for apprentices seeking a sponsor.

Old Business

  1. 2027 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

    1. INACTIVE LICENSE STATUS

      Executive Director Ms. Fletcher provided an overview of the proposed legislation establishing an inactive license status for barbers and cosmetologists. The proposal would allow licensees to place their licenses on inactive status while maintaining the license, subject to requirements for reinstatement. The Board discussed the purpose, fees, eligibility requirements, enforcement concerns, and potential impact on unlicensed practice.

    2. REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS

      Ms. Roseanne Fish presented information from the Department’s Office of Workforce Development and requested the Board’s input regarding licensing requirements for graduates of a Maryland Registered Apprenticeship Program. The Board was asked to consider whether apprenticeship graduates should be required to pass the Board’s licensing examination before a license is issued or whether successful completion of the Registered Apprenticeship Program should qualify an individual for licensure without an additional examination.
      The Board members provided their input regarding the examination requirement. Board discussion reflected differing opinions, with some members supporting an examination requirement and others supporting licensure upon successful completion of the Registered Apprenticeship Program without an additional examination.

  2. MSDE- HAIRSTYLIST EXAMINATION ELIGIBILITY

    Executive Director Ms. Fletcher presented to the board for discussion on whether 11th-grade high school students enrolled in cosmetology programs should be permitted to sit for the Hairstylist examination before completing their cosmetology program. All Board members provided input and agreed not to allow 11th-grade students to sit for the Hairstylist examination at that stage.
    The Board agreed that students who are enrolled in an approved cosmetology program should be permitted to remain in and complete the cosmetology program. Students may apply to take the appropriate examination upon completion of the cosmetology program and fulfillment of the applicable requirements.

  3. GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT

    Executive Director Ms. Fletcher provided an update regarding gainful employment reporting requirements. Implementation of the reporting requirements has been delayed until 2030 following feedback and concerns from schools, institutions, and other stakeholders regarding the reporting requirements and implementation timeline. No action was required by the Board. Staff will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as additional guidance becomes available.

  4. ESTHETICIAN SCOPE OF PRACTICE DOCUMENT UPDATE

    Executive Director Ms. Nicole Fletcher provided an update on the Esthetician Scope of Practice, including the addition of eyebrow tinting and eyelash tinting to the services permitted within the esthetician scope of practice.

  5. TESTING VENDOR RFP UPDATE

    Executive Director Ms. Nicole Fletcher stated that the RFP review meeting is scheduled for August. No decisions have been made at this time.

  6. CURRICULUM APPROVAL

    Executive Director Ms. Nicole Fletcher discussed the approval of the Cosmetology Program curriculum for London Kae Institute of Cosmetology in Waldorf, Maryland.

  7. INSPECTION SUMMARY

    Ms. Leslie Braxton presented the Board with an Inspection Summary containing data collected from July 2–30, 2026. The Board reviewed the inspection data presented.

    38 New shop applications processed
22 New shops pending Inspections - to be assigned
11 Complaints received
8 Complaints open/ to be assigned
1 Complaints - Inspections completed
111 Inspections conducted
51 Inspections passed
45 Inspections failed
9 Failed new shop inspections
5 Failed late renewal inspections
3 Failed complaint Inspections
1 Failed per board inspections
27 Failed routine inspections
7 Closed at time of inspection
8 Permanently closed
1 Full time inspectors on stafff (conducts inspections 5 days/week)
2 Per diem Inspectors on staff (conducts Inspections 1 day/week)

Public Comment

Mrs. Lisa Ennis opened the floor for public comment. During the public comment period, Ms. Michele Wyatt and Ms. Wyvonie Gilbert provided input regarding examination requirements for apprenticeship graduates. Both expressed that testing is necessary and should remain a requirement for licensure.

Adjournment

Ms. Ennis asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. April Kenney requested approval of the motion, and Ms. Yasmine Young seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 12:37 p.m.