House 4793

WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2026 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 4793

By Delegates T. Howell, White, Leavitt, Dittman, Petitto, Kyle, Mazzocchi, Foggin, Funkhouser, J. Cannon, and Dillon

[Introduced January 23, 2026; referred to the Committee on Government Organization]

A BILL to amend and reenact 30-27-8a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to lowering the age for a person to work as a barber or cosmetologist apprentice from 16 to 14 years old.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 27. BOARD OF BARBERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS.

§30-27-8a. Barber and cosmetologist apprentice.

(a) The board may establish an apprenticeship program to become a barber or cosmetologist. A barber or cosmetologist apprentice shall work at all times under the direct supervision of a licensed barber or cosmetologist, and any permit issued by the board to work as a barber or cosmetologist apprentice does not allow a person to practice individually as a barber or cosmetologist.

(b) An applicant for a barber or cosmetologist apprenticeship shall present satisfactory evidence that he or she:

(1) Is at least sixteen 14 years of age;

(2) Is of good moral character;

(3) Is in high school or has a high school diploma, a GED, or has passed the “ability to benefit test” approved by the United States Department of Education;

(4) Has paid the applicable fee;

(5) Has a certificate of health from a licensed physician;

(6) Is a citizen of the United States or is eligible for employment in the United States; and

(7) Has fulfilled any other requirement specified by the board.

(c) An applicant for a sponsor of a barber or cosmetologist apprentice shall present satisfactory evidence that he or she:

(1) Is licensed as a barber or cosmetologist under the provisions of this article;

(2) Has paid the applicable fee; and

(3) Has fulfilled any other requirement specified by the board.

(d) A sponsor of a barber or cosmetologist apprentice shall be a current licensed barber or cosmetologist with at least five years’ experience and has worked in a shop for the last five years.

(e) The board may propose emergency rules and rules for legislative approval, in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq., to implement the provisions of this section, including:

(1) The requirements for:

(A) The barber or cosmetologist apprenticeship program;

(B) The barber or cosmetologist apprentice permit; and

(C) A licensed barber or cosmetologist to sponsor a barber or cosmetologist apprentice;

(2) Procedures for an examination;

(3) A fee schedule; and

(4) Any other rules necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.