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Minutes June 1, 2026 -Maryland Board of Cosmetologists Meeting - Cosmetologists

Monday, June 1, 2026

A meeting of the State Board of Cosmetologists was held on Monday, June 1, 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
  • Ms. Kyra Jones, School Member
  • Vacant, Cosmetologist Member

Other Staff Attendees

  • Ms. Nicole Fletcher, Executive Director
  • Ms. Breona Scott, Assistant Executive Director
  • Ms. Leslie Braxton, Licensing Supervisor
  • Ms. Peggy Dall'Acqua, Advice Counsel

Agenda and Minutes

Quorum Announced, and Meeting Called to Order

A quorum was announced by Chairperson Ms. Ennis and the meeting was called to order at 10:12 AM.

Approval of Agenda

Chairperson Ms. Ennis requested a motion for approval of the June 1, 2026 agenda. Ms. Kenney made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Ms. Canty, and the agenda was unanimously approved.

Approval of May 4, 2026 Minutes

Chairperson Ms. Ennis requested a motion to approve the minutes from the May 4, 2026 meeting. Ms. Lee made a motion to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Ms. Canty, and the motion unanimously passed.

New Business

A. RECAP OF May 4, 2026 MEETING

Chairperson Ms. Ennis provided a brief recap of the May 4, 2026 Board meeting, highlighting several key topics discussed during the previous session, including the implementation of the temporary Eyelash Extension Technician license, updates regarding Board staffing and membership changes, apprenticeship restart requests, Curriculum Review Committee appointments, and the approval of curriculum applications for cosmetology education programs. Ms. Ennis also noted that the cosmetology curriculum submitted by Lache Beauty Academy had been approved by the Curriculum Review Committee during the previous month.

B. EXAMINATION VENDOR RFP

Executive Director Nicole Fletcher provided an informational update regarding the Board's testing vendor procurement process. Director Fletcher advised that the Department is currently engaged in a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for examination services and that a new testing vendor may be selected in the future. No Board action was required at this time.

C. APPRENTICESHIP RESTART

Director Fletcher and Ms. Breona Scott presented the apprenticeship restart request of Tom Nguyen for a Nail Technician apprenticeship.Mr. Nguyen explained that his previous sponsor relocated out of state, preventing completion of his apprenticeship program. Mr. Nguyen confirmed that he would be restarting under a new sponsor, who is now the owner of Diva Nails. The sponsor confirmed her understanding of the monthly reporting requirements associated with apprenticeship sponsorship.

Following discussion, Ms. Canty made a motion to approve Mr. Nguyen's apprenticeship restart request for a one-year term. The motion was seconded by Ms. Kenney and passed unanimously by voice vote. Director Fletcher advised Mr. Nguyen that Board staff would follow up regarding licensing and apprenticeship requirements.

D. COMPLAINT REVIEW - APPRENTICESHIP HOURS AND REPORTING

The Board reviewed a constituent complaint submitted by Alyssa Carrasco regarding apprenticeship hours that she believed had not been properly documented or reported by her sponsor.

Board members discussed the requirements of Maryland's apprenticeship program and explained that an apprenticeship license must be issued before apprenticeship hours may begin accumulating toward licensure. Director Fletcher advised that while an online application had been submitted, the required apprenticeship sponsor documentation had not been received, resulting in the application being incomplete and no apprenticeship license being issued.

Board members expressed sympathy regarding the circumstances but concluded that because no apprentice license had ever been issued, the Board could not retroactively award apprenticeship credit for the period in question.

Ms. Carrasco requested that the Board investigate allegations of additional unlicensed activity occurring within the salon. Director Fletcher advised that Board staff would follow up separately regarding the complaint and allegations raised during the meeting.

Old Business

A. ESTHETICIAN SCOPE OF PRACTICE DOCUMENT- DISCUSSION AND FORMAL VOTE

Executive Director Nicole Fletcher provided an update regarding the Board's Esthetician Scope of Practice Guidance Document, which was developed following statutory and regulatory changes expanding esthetic services in Maryland.

Director Fletcher advised that the document was created to provide clarity for licensees, employers, and the public regarding permissible esthetic services under Maryland law and regulations.

Following discussion, Chairperson Ms. Ennis made a motion to approve the Esthetician Scope of Practice Guidance Document for publication. The motion was seconded by Ms. Kenney and passed unanimously by voice vote.

Director Fletcher advised that the document would be published on the Board's website and distributed through Board communications channels.

B. CURRICULUM APPROVAL

Executive Director Fletcher reported that two curriculum applications had been approved since the Board's previous meeting:

  • Fernandez Beauty Institute was approved for an Eyelash Extension Technician program; and
  • Transformation Beauty and Barber Academy was approved for a cosmetology program.

Director Fletcher noted that Transformation Beauty and Barber Academy remained pending final institutional approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Additional curriculum applications remain under review by the Curriculum Review Committee.

C. INSPECTION SUMMARY

Assistant Executive Director, Breona Scott provided an Inspection Summary for today's meeting. The data was collected from May 1, 2026-May 29, 2026.

22 New shop applications received

7 New shops pending inspections - to be assigned

2 Complaints received

2 Complaints - open / to be assigned

1 Complaints - inspections completed

66 Inspections conducted

39 Inspections passed

21 Inspections failed

13 Failed - new shop inspections

2 Failed - late renewal inspections

0 Failed complaint

3 Failed - per board inspections

3 Failed - routine inspections

1 Closed at time of inspection

5 Permanently Closed

0 Full Time Inspectors Currently on Staff (conducts inspections 5 days/week)

2 Per diem Inspectors Currently on Staff (conducts inspections 1 days/week)

Public Comment

During the public comment portion of the meeting, several members of the public addressed the Board regarding apprenticeship requirements and scope of practice questions.

Ms. Tiyona B. submitted questions regarding the cosmetology apprenticeship program, specifically seeking clarification regarding compensation arrangements between sponsors and apprentices. Ms. Tiyona noted that portions of the apprenticeship materials appeared contradictory regarding payment for training and requested additional guidance regarding whether sponsors may charge apprentices for training services. She also asked whether the installation of wigs and weaves requires a Maryland cosmetology license. Executive Director Nicole Fletcher advised that compensation arrangements between sponsors and apprentices are not regulated by the Board and should be agreed upon by the parties prior to beginning training. Director Fletcher further reviewed statutory exemptions contained within the Maryland Cosmetology Act related to wig fitting, styling, and certain natural hair services, noting that the installation of wigs, weaves, braids, twists, locks, and similar services may be exempt from licensure requirements provided that no chemicals or products are used to alter the structure or color of the hair.

Ms. Siobhan Berkeley, owner of Lash Nation by Pretty Girl Beauty and a newly approved apprenticeship sponsor, requested clarification regarding apprenticeship application requirements after completing the online sponsorship process. Specifically, Ms. Berkeley asked whether submission of the electronic sponsor application satisfied the Board's requirements or whether the paper sponsor form referenced on the Board's website was still required. Executive Director Fletcher advised that electronic submission of the apprenticeship and sponsorship information satisfies all Board requirements and explained that the paper sponsor form referenced online is outdated and no longer utilized by the Board.

Ms. Berkeley also inquired about the availability of the newly approved Esthetician Scope of Practice Guidance Document, noting that she had difficulty viewing the document during the meeting while participating by telephone. Director Fletcher advised that the document would be published in the Board's News and Updates section of the website and distributed through future Board newsletters and communications.

Adjournment

At the conclusion of public comment, Ms. Ennis asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms.Lee made a motion to adjourn, and Ms.Kenney seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote of the Board at 10:46 am.

APPROVED BY:________
on July 6, 2026.