Pennsylvania Expands Allowable Distance Education for Cosmetology Students

There is no question that the coronavirus pandemic has had a substantial impact on the cosmetology industry. Salons and cosmetology schools in Pennsylvania were closed for most of March 2020 thru July 2020 due to COVID-19.

Many cosmetology students were unable to complete in-person education hours during the closure. This unfortunate circumstance may prevent these students from completing their education and entering the workforce in their chosen occupation in the timeframe they planned. Additional plans these individuals may have had that were contingent upon them completing their education by a certain date have been thrown off-schedule.

The Cosmetology Law requires 1250 hours of education for licensure as a cosmetologist. As a result of the Governor's declaration of a state of emergency related to COVID-19, guidance was issued allowing cosmetology students to obtain 20% of the required 1250 hours through distance education. This guidance also allows students to earn 20% of their required training hours through distance education for the limited license categories of nail technology (40 of 200 required hours), esthetics (60 of 300 required hours), natural hair braiding (60 of required 300 hours) and cosmetology teachers (100 of 500 required hours). The availability of distance education to cosmetology students has made an appreciable, positive impact on students. However, many students reached the maximum allowed for distance education during the period the cosmetology schools were closed for in-person classes.

Therefore, the Department of State requested, and the Governor granted, that the allowable distance education increase from 20% to 50% across all license categories. The Board's guidance sets forth the theory-based subjects in which a student may earn education hours through distance learning. The current theory-based subjects and additions are outlined in the following pages. These lists were developed through calls hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in coordination with Department of State, which included feedback from cosmetology schools, associations, teachers and Board members.

For purposes of this guidance, distance education is that which is accomplished while the student is at a location separate and apart from the licensed cosmetology school. This waiver does not alter, amend or waive the requirement of 49 Pa. Code § 7.118(d) which requires a "student/teacher ratio of a class taught for credit may not exceed 25 to 1." Thus, the student/teacher ratio is calculated by combining the numbers of students/teachers across all platforms.

COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM

Distance Education

State Board of Cosmetology	Cosmetology	Distance education eligible-current	Distance Education eligible-proposed additions
Professional Practices	Bacteriology Disinfection Sanitation
	Define the classifications and reproduction of bacteria and viruses	X
	Differentiate the differences between sanitation, disinfection and sterilization	X
	Perform infection control procedures for various salon tools and services	X
	Apply concepts of universal/standard precautions	X
Professional Attitude	Professional Attitude
	Perform a client consultation and maintain documentation	X
	Exhibit professional ethics	X
	Use Communication skills to include listening, speaking and writing	X
Business Practices	Business Practices
Business Practices	Business Practices
	Design a management plan	X
	Design a personal financial plan	X
	Execute safety regulations including SDS and OSHA	X
PA Cosmetology Law	Cosmetology Law
	Follow cosmetology laws, rules, and regulations	X
Sciences
Histology	Histology
	Identify the structure and composition of the integumentary system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the nail	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the skeletal system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the muscular system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the nervous system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the circulatory system	X
Trichology	600 Trichology
	Identify the structure and composition of the hair	X
	Recognize diseases and disorders of the hair and scalp	X
	Analyze the characteristics of a client’s hair and scalp	X
Chemistry	Chemistry
Chemistry	Chemistry
	List the five elements of the hair	X
	Measure the effects of PH, pertaining to hair and skin	X
	Differentiate between the physical and chemical changes in various hair services	X
	Assess chemical reactions as they relate to various services	X
	Determine chemical contents of hair, skin, and nail products	X
Physiology	Physiology
	Identify the structure and composition of the integumentary system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the nail	X
	Identify body structures and systems	X
	Determine the function of the skeletal system	X
	Determine the function of the muscular system	X
	Determine the function of the nervous system	X
	Determine the function of the circulatory system	X
Cosmetic Dermatology	Cosmetic Dermatology
	Recognize skin diseases and disorders and contributing factors	X
	Analyze client’s skin	X
Electricity	Electricity
Electricity	Electricity
	Define principles of electricity	X
	Follow the safety measures related to electricity	X
	Explain the types, uses, and benefits of light therapy	X
	Explain the types, uses, and benefits of electrotherapy	X
Shampooing and Conditioning	Shampoo and Conditioning
	Determine a product based on individual client needs
	Skill Review	X
Hair Shaping	Hair Shaping
	Skill Review	X
Hair Styling/ Finger Waving	1300 Hair Styling/Finger Waving
Hair Styling/ Finger Waving	1300 Hair Styling/Finger Waving
	Design a hairstyle to complement the client’s features		X
	Skill Review	X
Chemical Texturizing	Chemical Texturizing
	Select appropriate products for chemically straightening hair
	Investigate procedure of a soft curl permanent		X
	Skill Review	X
Permanent Waving	Permanent Waving
	Select the appropriate solution according to client’s needs		X
	Skill Review	X
Hair Coloring	Hair Coloring
Hair Coloring	Hair Coloring
	Formulate color as it relates to the law of color
	Skill Review	X
Hair Straightening	Hair Straightening
	Skill Review	X
Skin Care	Skin Care
	Select products based on individual client needs		X
	Recognize skin care implements and equipment		X
	Skill Review	X
Nail Technology	Nail Technology
	Recognize nail care implements and equipment		X
	Determine components of artificial nail services		X
	Recognize nail diseases and disorders and contributing factors		X
	Skill Review	X
Temporary Hair Removal	Temporary Hair Removal
	Differentiate between various methods of temporary hair removal		X
	Skill Review*	X
Scalp Treatment	Scalp Treatment
Scalp Treatment	Scalp Treatment
	Explain the use of electrical equipment during a scalp treatment		X
	Skill Review	X
Care of all hair types & textures	Care of all Hair Types and Textures
	Select and apply products according to styling needs		X
	Compare and contrast synthetic and human hair services		X
	Skill Review	X
Makeup	Makeup
	Skill Review	X

ESTHETICS PROGRAM

Distance Education

State Board of Cosmetology	Esthetics	Distance education eligible-current	Distance Education eligible-proposed additions
Professional Practices	Bacteriology Disinfection Sanitation
	Define the classifications and reproduction of bacteria and viruses	X
	Differentiate the differences between sanitation, disinfection and sterilization	X
	Perform infection control procedures for various salon tools and services	X
	Apply concepts of universal/standard precautions	X
Professional Attitude	Professional Attitude
	Perform a client consultation and maintain documentation	X
	Exhibit professional ethics	X
	Use Communication skills to include listening, speaking and writing	X
Business Practices	Business Practices
Business Practices	Business Practices
	Design a management plan	X
	Design a personal financial plan	X
	Execute safety regulations including SDS and OSHA	X
PA Cosmetology Law	Cosmetology Law
	Follow cosmetology laws, rules, and regulations	X
Sciences
Histology	Histology
	Identify the structure and composition of the integumentary system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the skeletal system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the muscular system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the nervous system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the circulator system	X
Chemistry	Chemistry
Chemistry	Chemistry
	Measure the effects of PH, pertaining to skin	X
	Assess chemical reactions as they relate to various services	X
	Determine chemical contents of skin products	X
Physiology	Physiology
	Identify the structure and composition of the integumentary system	X
	Identify body structures and systems	X
	Determine the function of the skeletal system	X
	Determine the function of the muscular system	X
	Determine the function of the nervous system	X
	Determine the function of the circulatory system	X
Cosmetic Dermatology	Cosmetic Dermatology
	Recognize skin diseases and disorders and contributing factors	X
	Analyze client’s skin	X
Electricity	Electricity
Electricity	Electricity
	Define principles of electricity	X
	Follow the safety measures related to electricity	X
	Explain the types, uses, and benefits of light therapy	X
	Explain the types, uses, and benefits of electrotherapy	X
Skin Care	Skin Care
	Select products based on individual client needs		X
	Recognize skin care implements and equipment		X
	Skill Review	X
Temporary Hair Removal	Temporary Hair Removal
	Differentiate between various methods of temporary hair removal		X
	Skill Review	X
Makeup	Makeup
	Skill Review	X

NAIL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Distance Education

State Board of Cosmetology	NAIL TECHNOLOGY	Distance education eligible-current	Distance Education eligible-proposed additions
Professional Practices	Bacteriology Disinfection Sanitation
	Define the classifications and reproduction of bacteria and viruses	X
	Differentiate the differences between sanitation, disinfection and sterilization	X
	Perform infection control procedures for various salon tools and services	X
	Apply concepts of universal/standard precautions	X
Professional Attitude	Professional Attitude
	Perform a client consultation and maintain documentation	X
	Exhibit professional ethics	X
	Use Communication skills to include listening, speaking and writing	X
Business Practices	Business Practices
	Design a management plan	X
	Design a personal financial plan	X
	Execute safety regulations including SDS and OSHA	X
PA Cosmetology Law	Cosmetology Law
	Follow cosmetology laws, rules, and regulations	X
Sciences
Histology	Histology
	Identify the structure and composition of the integumentary system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the nail	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the skeletal system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the muscular system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the nervous system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the circulatory system	X
Chemistry	Chemistry
	Assess chemical reactions as they relate to various services	X
	Determine chemical contents of nail products	X
Physiology	Physiology
	Identify the structure and composition of the integumentary system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the nail	X
	Identify body structures and systems	X
	Determine the function of the skeletal system	X
	Determine the function of the muscular system	X
	Determine the function of the nervous system	X
	Determine the function of the circulatory system	X
Nail Technology	Nail Technology
	Recognize nail care implements and equipment		X
	Determine components of artificial nail services		X
	Recognize nail diseases and disorders and contributing factors		X
	Skill Review	X

NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING PROGRAM

Distance Education

State Board of Cosmetology	Natural Hair Braiding	Distance education eligible-current	Distance Education eligible-proposed additions
Professional Practices	Bacteriology Disinfection Sanitation
	Define the classifications and reproduction of bacteria and viruses	X
	Differentiate the differences between sanitation, disinfection and sterilization	X
	Perform infection control procedures for various salon tools and services	X
	Apply concepts of universal/standard precautions	X
Professional Attitude	Professional Attitude
	Perform a client consultation and maintain documentation	X
	Exhibit professional ethics	X
	Use Communication skills to include listening, speaking and writing	X
Business Practices	Business Practices
	Design a management plan	X
	Design a personal financial plan	X
	Execute safety regulations including SDS and OSHA	X
PA Cosmetology Law	Cosmetology Law
	Follow cosmetology laws, rules, and regulations	X
Sciences
Histology	Histology
	Identify the structure and composition of the integumentary system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the skeletal system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the muscular system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the nervous system	X
	Identify the structure and composition of the circulator system	X
Trichology	Trichology
	Identify the structure and composition of the hair	X
	Recognize diseases and disorders of the hair and scalp	X
	Analyze the characteristics of a client’s hair and scalp	X
Chemistry	Chemistry
	List the five elements of the hair	X
	Measure the effects of PH, pertaining to hair	X
Physiology	Physiology
	Identify the structure and composition of the integumentary system	X
	Determine the function of the nervous system	X
	Determine the function of the circulatory system	X
Hair Styling	Hair Styling
	Design a hairstyle to complement the client’s features		X
	Skill Review	X
Care of all hair types & textures	Care of all Hair Types and Textures
	Select and apply products according to styling needs		X
	Compare and contrast synthetic and human hair services		X
	Skill Review	X

COSMETOLOGY TEACHER PROGRAM

Distance Education

State Board of Cosmetology	Cosmetology 12.0401 General Task List	Distance education eligible-current	Distance Education eligible-proposed additions
Teaching Techniques	Subjects related to Cosmetology Curriculum		X
Professional Practices		X
Salon Management Theory		X