House committee substitute to the 4th edition makes the following changes.

Amends GS 88B-2 to add hair braiding to the Chapter's defined terms. Revises and expands the definition of natural hair care to now involve the manipulation of hair strands or roots by one of 12 techniques. Amends the definition of cosmetic art by adding hair braiding. Changes the definition of cosmetology to the practice of all parts of cosmetic art. Amends the definition of hair design no longer including the removal of superfluous hair from a person's face by waxing. Makes organizational changes.

Deletes proposed GS 88B-4(d), requiring the Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners (Board) to offer or approve a 10-hour course in infection control for natural hair care specialists, and make one qualifying course available on its website at no cost.

Amends GS 88B-10.1 to maintain licensing (was, changed to certifying) natural hair care specialists. Makes conforming changes to GS 88B-2. No longer limits the practice to infection control and removes infection control from proposed curriculum and exam requirements. Changes licensing qualifications to include 100 hours of natural hair care curriculum, or, for a certified hair braider, successful completion of at least 76 hours of a natural hair care curriculum.

Enacts new GS 88B-10.2, establishing hair braider certification, subject to completion of 24 hours of hair braiding curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school or an approved course offered by the Board, passage of an exam, and payment of certification fees. Makes conforming changes to the Board's powers in GS 88B-4.

Reinstates GS 88B-11(e), pertaining to license to practice as a natural hair care teacher. Reduces the hours required for the license from 320 to 200.

Amends GS 88B-13 to include licensed hair braiders in those eligible for reciprocal licenses. 

Amends GS 88B-15 to distinguish licensed hair care specialists and certified hair braiders in the authorizations to practice in their respective scopes outside cosmetic art shops.

Amends GS 88B-18 to require hair braider applicants to receive three alternate locations for exams and specified additional requirements prior to reapplication upon failing to pass the exam three times.

Amends GS 88B-20, setting hair braider certification fee at $5 annually, and expands the Board's authority to impose late or reinstatement fees to include hair braiders. Changes the fees for a mobile cosmetic art shop from $3 per year per active booth to a flat fee of $50 per year. 

Makes GS 88B-21 (renewals), GS 88B-22 (certifications required to practice), GS 88B-23 (posting of certifications required), and GS 88B-24 (authorized disciplinary actions) applicable to hair braiders. Deletes proposed subsection (c) in GS 88B-23, and proposed changes to GS 88B-24, to reflect maintenance of natural hair care license and removal of proposed infection control practice focus.

Amends GS 88B-27, concerning inspections, to more specifically reference a cosmetic art school.

Amends GS 86B-32 to reference cosmetic art schools rather than beauty schools.

Eliminates the uncodified provisions directing the transition from natural hair care licenses to infection control certifications and providing for implementing rules.

Changes the act's long title.