July 2008
Texas Barber & Cosmetology News
(512) 463-6599 or 1-800-803-9202
www.license.state.tx.us
COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM
P.O. Box 12088 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us
Cheaters never win, winners never cheat! Most of us learned the lesson playing childhood card games but two cosmetology students and one continuing education provider had to learn it again, the hard way.
The cosmetology students were caught red-handed trying to cheat on their tests. You remember the tests, they are the ones every Texas cosmetology student takes. The tests most students pass honestly. The two students thought they could bluff the proctors giving the exams.
The first student attempted and failed to pass the written test several times. On the final attempt he was caught with notes taken from a cosmetology training manual and notes with questions and answers from a previous examination. The student’s violation of attempting to obtain a cosmetology license by fraud, deceit, or false representation resulted in a fine of $1,500.
The second cosmetology student tried to use a mannequin head with marked guidelines for parting hair during the practical exam. A marked mannequin head is cheating just like marked cards! The student was charged with committing fraud and deceit to obtain a license. The result, a $2,500 penalty and no license.
First students were found cheating and now a continuing education provider has joined the deck of cheating shame. A continuing education provider was issuing certificates of completion to people who did not attend the class. The provider sold a certificate of continuing education to an undercover Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation investigator and then stated the “student” attended classes to receive Cosmetology continuing education credits. Bad play, license surrendered!
Are these violations sounding familiar? They should. TDLR investigators continue their on-going investigation into Victorian Beauty College (VBC).VBC, which was located in Houston, was known across the United States as a place to enroll if you wanted to become a Texas cosmetologist, but were unable or unwilling to attend beauty school. It also was a place where, for a price, you could hire someone to take your licensing exams for you. As recently as April 2008 TDLR signed Agreed Orders against five former VBC students who were fined and had their licenses revoked for being part of a scheme to cheat in obtaining a license.
Some lessons we learn as children are true throughout our lives and this is one of them. Why cheat when a little effort will reap a rewarding career? Do you hear your mother’s voice? Cheaters never win.
An unlicensed barber working in a barber shop isn’t the only one breaking Barbering Law or Rules; the shop that hired him is too. Rest assured, when a TDLR investigator makes an inspection there is going to be double trouble, violations against both parties will be written and both can be fined.
No one can perform barbering services unless he holds a license. If you don’t have a license you can’t work on a person’s hair, beard, mustache, nails…you can’t work as a barber, plain and simple. If you do you are breaking the law.
The owner of a shop employing unlicensed barbers will be caught in the crossfire if TDLR investigators find out. Barbering Administrative Rule 82.71 directs barber shop owners to make sure all persons, including independent contractors, who work in the shop are currently licensed and have the proper permits. Don’t mess with Texas.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reminds shop owners to stay in step with the laws and rules to avoid the double trouble web.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Contact Center receives thousands of phone calls and e-mails weekly from cosmetology licensees . We asked TDLR Customer Service Representatives to submit their most frequently asked cosmetology questions and here is a sample of what we received:
I have a different last name and new address. How can I make a name or address change? You can mail, fax or e-mail TDLR your information change. Send e-mail to CS.Cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us. Mail to TDLR, P.O. Box 12157, Capital Station, Austin, Texas 78711 or fax to (512) 475-2871.
Can I get a duplicate license online? No. To receive a duplicate license send TDLR a letter giving your name, address and license number. Please include the $25 fee payable by money order or cashier check to TDLR.
Can I apply online for a salon license? Yes. You will find the Online Licensing Applications and Renewals link on the TDLR website under Cosmetologist Forms.
My license expired. Can I renew online? Yes. Find the form you need to complete at http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/ cosmetforms.htm#onlineapplications.
I need to renew my license before it expires. Can I pay online? Yes, you can pay online. To pay your renewal fee TDLR accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express. To renew your license by mail send TDLR a money order or a cashier check for the fee and include the completed renewal application.
I’m taking time off to raise my family. What should I do with my license? Fill out a Request for Change in License Status form, mail it to TDLR. There is no fee to place a license on inactive status. You can find the form online. Remember, you can’t work while your license is inactive.
My license is inactive and I want to go back to work. How can I activate my license? Fill out a Request for Change in License Status form and include a money order or cashier check payable to TDLR for the $25 fee. Also, you will need to complete the required continuing education requirement for the license period just prior to reactivating your license.
Can I check the status of my license? You may. On the TDLR Cosmetology web page click on Search Cosmetologist License under the Online Services heading.
For your convenience TDLR’s Contact Center has extended hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 pm. You lead a busy life and our extended hours may not fit your schedule so we have information available for you on our website; please visit www.license.state.tx.us. Our Frequently Answered Questions page may provide you with the information you need but if it doesn’t we look forwarding to hearing from you.
Contact Center information:
(800) 803-9202 Toll Free in Texas
(512) 463-6599
E-mail us at:
CS.Cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us
Barbers Barber manicurists Barber technicians Barber instructors Students Schools |
12,800 402 19 140 1,617 39 |
Barber shops Barber manicure shops Class A Barber booth rentals Barber manicure booth rentals Barber hair braiding specialist Barber hair braiding shops |
5,578 134 3,090 66 21 1 |
Operators Manicurists Facial specialists Weavers Braiders Shampoo specialists Wig specialists Shampoo apprentices Operator instructors Manicure instructors Facial instructors |
103,451 30,118 11,324 178 514 175 23 10,806 4,010 45 66 |
Wig instructors Students Schools Salons Manicure salons Facial salons Facial/manicure salons Hair braiding/weaving salons Wig salons Independent contractors |
4 18,050 380 20,940 1,483 510 3,631 114 32 33,457 |
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Texas Barber & Cosmetology News
(512) 463-6599 or 1-800-803-9202
www.license.state.tx.us
COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM
P.O. Box 12088 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us
Cosmetology Advisory Board:
Clive Lamb, Presiding Officer
Kerin Haney, Vice Presiding Officer
Diane Salazar
Glenda Jemison
Allison Leigh Kincy
Zelda Moore
BARBER PROGRAM
P.O. Box 13489 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.barbers@license.state.tx.us
Barber Advisory Board:
Linda G. Connor, Presiding Officer
Dean Hudson, Jr, Vice Presiding Officer
Ronald Brown,
Joseph B. Grondin,
Vacancy
Commissioners:
Frank Denton, Chair
LuAnn Roberts Morgan, Vice Chair
Mike Arismendez,
Lewis Benavides,
Lilian Norman-Keeney,
Fred N. Moses,
Deborah Yurco,
William Kuntz, Exec. Director
