Good Afternoon, My name is Bryant Murphy, a licensed cosmetologist of 23 years, a licensed instructor for 12 years, and a newly licensed Master Barber of 1 year.  I am writing in concern for the hours reduction but mostly due to the shock of the new theory and practical hours of instruction that will be spent on things not related to solely cosmetology.  In the state of Virginia it is important that we uphold the maximum not minimum standard of safety for students but mostly the general public.  When we force potential students who are  not interested in barbering, skin, nails, and makeup, as an instructor this can overwhelm the experience, because not all instructors hold valid licenses in these areas, but it could send people who haven’t and will not do these services to the best of their ability, because of lack of interest.  Makeup in Virginia does not require a license so the amount of time that will be required in this area will take opportunities from those who solely want to do hair.  As a stylist and instructor the reasoning for wanting to obtain my master barber license was to legally give me permission to use a straight razor, but it was a want of mine not a mandatory obligation.  When we hold schools accountable to these new guidelines, instructors who haven’t been appropriately trained and licensed will create a disservice to the students and harm to the general public.  Another role of mine, is to write curriculum for Paul Mitchell Schools across the country, and the biggest challenge with other states that have reduced their hours is that, instructors are burning out and that the quality of graduates has reduced significantly.  To force 1500 hours of hair, sanitation and everything required to be gainfully employed in 1000 hours is doing our future pros a disservice and the general public harm.

To whom it may concern, I personally urge everyone responsible for deciding the curriculum standards to allow the schools to keep what the original focus is for cosmetology hair related and not skin, makeup, barber related.  Let’s keep our future industry professional and schools in control over what a hair curriculum should look like,  and leave the barber, nail, makeup and esthetics to what they are.  Let’s allow those interested in choosing those other options instead of forcing them into one.

I look forward to hearing your response to my concern

Bryant Murphy