Cosmetology schools in Washington, Vermont, and Maine will soon be required to include training on textured hair as part of their core curricula. Over the last two months, all three states signed legislation mandating education for curly, coily, and wavy hair textures in licensing programs, a move that expands a coast-to-coast initiative supported by major beauty industry stakeholders.
These states now join California, Minnesota, Connecticut, Louisiana, and New York in adopting similar laws since 2021.
Legislative support and implementation timeline
The new laws will be implemented over the next 12 months. They are the result of efforts by state policymakers, including Representative Melanie Morgan of Washington, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas of Vermont, and Senator Rachel Talbot Ross of Maine.
The legislative progress was welcomed by the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and the Texture Education Collective (TEC), a group founded by L’Oréal USA, Aveda, DevaCurl, and Neill Corporation.
“The Professional Beauty Association celebrates the signing of Washington, Vermont & Maine’s landmark textured hair education bills,” said Myra Reddy, Government Affairs Director, PBA, in a press statement from L’Oréal USA. “These continued victories fuel the Texture Education Collective momentum as we advocate for similar legislation across the nation,” she added, “promoting consistent standards and excellence in beauty education from coast to coast.”
Industry impact and workforce development
The addition of textured hair education addresses a long-standing gap in professional training. According to TEC, approximately 65% of Americans have textured hair, yet beauty school programs have historically not required stylists to learn how to work with these hair types.
“Every aspiring professional deserves an education that reflects the full spectrum of hair types and textures, and every client deserves access to stylists who are trained to meet their unique needs,” said David Greenberg, CEO of L’Oréal USA and President of the North America Zone, in the company’s press statement.
“L’Oréal USA applauds Washington, Vermont, and Maine for requiring textured hair education in cosmetology licensing,” he continued. “This is a meaningful step toward enhancing the skillsets of the professional beauty community,” he added, “expanding the opportunity to meet and exceed the needs of a wider network of consumers.”
The legislation has also garnered support from the cosmetics and personal care product industry. CDU spoke to Tom Myers, President of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), who shared that the movement “marks a pivotal victory for consumers with curly, coiled, and wavy hair by ensuring they have access to trained professionals who understand their unique needs.”
He added that the PCPC “proudly support[s] the Professional Beauty Association and the collaborative efforts of the Texture Education Collective that are driving this important progress nationwide.”
Movement gains national momentum
Washington’s adoption marks the first such law in the Pacific Northwest. Maine and Vermont represent the latest momentum in the Northeast, following previous legislative wins in Louisiana (2021), New York (2023), and multiple states in 2024.
As confirmed in L’Oréal’s press statement, TEC and its supporting partners, including salon brands, educators, and stylists, will continue to advocate for similar legislation nationwide with a long-term goal to standardize education on textured hair across all US cosmetology programs.
For more information about the Texture Education Collective, visit: https://www.probeauty.org/texture-education-collective.
