New York requires hairdressers to master all hair types starting September
Walking into a salon only to be turned away or given a rushed, subpar service because of your hair texture: it’s a reality many New Yorkers know all too well. Now, a new law is changing the game for hairdressers across New York State, requiring them to demonstrate proficiency across the full spectrum of hair types before they can obtain their licence.
What the law actually requires of New York hairdressers
As of 1 September, every cosmetology and natural hair styling student in New York State must receive training that covers the entire hair spectrum, from the tightest coils to the straightest strands. This requirement applies to both standard cosmetology programmes and courses specialising in natural hair styling.
The curriculum goes well beyond basic technique. Aspiring professionals must learn about the properties of hair and the scalp, care methods suited to textured hair, and the specific styling techniques those hair types require. In other words, training is no longer limited to a handful of hair types deemed “standard”, it now embraces the full diversity of hair.
Students will also be required to demonstrate their competency in the state licensing examinations. This is a crucial point: the skills won’t just be taught, they’ll be assessed and certified. The total number of hours required to obtain a licence, however, remains unchanged.
A reform designed not to inflate costs or overhaul programmes
One of the central arguments made by assembly member Michaelle Solages, who championed this legislation, is that the reform slots into existing curricula without generating additional costs. The new subject matter fits within hours already built into programmes, meaning neither schools nor students face any extra financial burden.
Training institutions were not caught off guard: the law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2023, gave them three years to adapt their programmes and come into compliance. That lead time allowed schools to develop the appropriate teaching materials and train their instructors accordingly.
Solages put the stakes plainly: no New Yorker should be denied a service or receive a lesser-quality experience because of their hair texture. The law translates that goal into a concrete professional obligation for hairdressers in training.
Key points of the new hair training requirements
- Mandatory training covering all hair types, from the tightest curl to the straightest strand
- Instruction on the properties of hair and the scalp
- Learning care and styling techniques suited to textured hair
- Assessment of these skills in state licensing examinations
- No increase in the total number of hours required for licensure
New York is part of a broader movement
New York is not alone in taking this step. In January, New Jersey passed similar legislation, likewise expanding training on textured hair. The New Jersey law requires students to receive dedicated instruction on textured hair, incorporates curly hair into both the written and practical components of licensing exams, and mandates that schools have the appropriate training tools in place.
Both states are signalling the same intent: to raise professional standards so that hairdressers are genuinely equipped to serve every client, regardless of their hair type. For the consumers this affects most, it represents a meaningful step toward equal access to hair care services.
For professionals already working in the field, the reform is also a reminder that hair diversity is not an optional specialism but a core competency. The future hairdressers trained under this new framework will enter the job market with a broader skill set, to the direct benefit of their clients.
