Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

Section 1.

Adds mobile cosmetic art shop and removes natural hair care teacher from GS 88B-2 (definitions). Modifies booth, booth renter, and natural hair care specialist. Makes organizational changes.

Expands the NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners (Board)’s powers under GS 88B-4 to include inspection and adoption of rules for sanitation and physical requirements of mobile cosmetic art shops. Makes conforming changes to GS 88B-5 (meetings and compensation of the Board) and GS 88B-6 (Board office, employees, etc.).

Removes requirement in GS 88B-7 that an applicant for a cosmetology license verify their education by a sworn affidavit, as described.

Makes conforming changes to GS 88B-11 (qualifications for licensing teachers) to allow for proof of practice in a mobile cosmetic art shop for the various teaching licenses set forth in the statute. Requires the Board to issue a license to practice as a hair design teacher to any individual who meets the statute’s educational and fee requirements, holds a cosmetologist or hair designer license in good standing issued by the Board, submits proof of the required practice hours and teacher curriculum hours, and passes a teaching exam conducted by the Board.

Expands scope of GS 88B-14 (licensing of cosmetic art shops) to include mobile cosmetic art shops.

Adds GS 88B-15A, governing mobile cosmetic art shops. Requires the Board to issue a license to operate this type of shop to an applicant who pays the requisite fee, applies, and is determined to be in compliance with GS Chapter 88B and the Board’s rules. Requires mobile cosmetic art shops to be equipped with a functional sink and toilet facilities and must maintain an adequate supply of clean water and wastewater storage capacity. Prevents manicuring services from occurring while the shop is moving. Requires the shop to be safely parked in a legal parking spot at all times while patrons are present inside. Requires the shop owner to maintain a permanent business address where the records described can be made available to the Board for inspection. Requires the shop owner to provide the Board with a monthly itinerary in writing listing locations, dates, and hours of operation for the shop. Requires the Board to adopt rules pertaining to the operation, permitting, and inspection of mobile cosmetic art shops, including the matters described. Clarifies that such shops are subject to State motor vehicle laws and regulations, all applicable OSHA requirements, and all local laws and ordinances regulating business establishments.

Authorizes, in GS 88B-15 (practice outside cosmetic art shops), natural hair care specialists to practice natural hair care at fairs, festivals, farmers markets, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Board.

Adds $25 inspection fee for newly established mobile cosmetic arts shops and $3 fee for mobile cosmetic art shops per active booth to GS 88B-20. Authorizes the board to impose late fees and reinstatement fees to mobile cosmetic art shops. Expands GS 88B-21 (license renewals; expired licenses; inactive status), GS 88B-22 (requiring a license or certification to operate), GS 88B-23 (posting of licenses and certifications), GS 88B-25 (exemptions), GS 88B-26 (posting of rules), and GS 88B-27 (inspections), to include mobile cosmetic art shops.

Amends GS 88B-21 (pertaining to license renewals) so that cosmetologists, hair designers, estheticians, natural hair care specialists, and manicurists have to have least twenty consecutive years of experience in their respective professions (was, as a cosmetologist) to qualify for the exemption from the Continuing Education (CE) requirements.

Section 3.

Increases the number of required curricular hours for pending cosmetology apprentice licenses submitted before October 1, 2026, from 1,000 to 1,200 hours.

Amends the act's long title.