This article continues our comprehensive 2026 legal update for barbers and cosmetologists, covering states N–Z. Each section outlines laws effective in 2026 and proposed or pending legislation that could impact licensing, education, scope of practice, and business compliance.
Disclaimer: This content is informational only. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.
Maryland
New Laws Effective in 2026
- Mandatory Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Awareness Training
- One-time, 1-hour board-approved course
- Required for new applicants and renewals
- Maryland is an active Cosmetology Licensure Compact member
- Limited licenses (blow-dry stylist, lash technician) remain active
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Possible cosmetology apprenticeship pathways
- Mobile salon licensing proposals
- Potential elimination of hair-braider registration
Massachusetts
New Laws Effective in 2026
- Regulatory reforms removing outdated shop requirements
- Simplified licensing and shop approval processes
- Expanded flexibility for at-home services (medical necessity)
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Domestic violence awareness training bills (CUT IT OUT legislation)
- Cosmetology Licensure Compact adoption under consideration
Michigan
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No major statutory changes effective in 2026
- Existing reduced training hours remain in place
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Clarification of esthetician scope (dermaplaning, microdermabrasion)
- Possible expansion of advanced esthetics permissions
- Compact participation discussions
Minnesota
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No major cosmetology or barber law changes
- Training hour reductions from prior years remain effective
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Possible scope clarifications for advanced esthetic services
- Compact adoption discussions ongoing
Mississippi
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No significant new laws effective in 2026
- Licensing and sanitation rules unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Deregulation of low-risk services discussed
- Possible training hour adjustments
Missouri
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new barber or cosmetology statutes
- Missouri already recognizes broad license reciprocity
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Compact participation discussions
- Possible reduction of training hours
Montana
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new laws taking effect
- Apprenticeship pathways remain available
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Deregulation of limited services under review
- Compact legislation possible
Nebraska
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No major cosmetology law changes
- Existing reduced training hour requirements remain
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Possible further hour reductions
- Compact adoption discussions
Nevada
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new statutory changes
- Nevada maintains licensing and CE requirements
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Mobile salon licensing proposals
- Scope clarifications for esthetics services
New Hampshire
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new cosmetology or barber laws
- Licensing requirements remain stable
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Compact participation consideration
- Minor administrative updates possible
New Jersey
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No major new laws effective
- Licensing requirements unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Domestic violence awareness training proposals
- Compact legislation discussions
New Mexico
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No significant changes effective in 2026
- Mobile salons already authorized
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Training hour adjustments under discussion
- Compact adoption possible
New York
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new statewide cosmetology statutes effective
- Apprenticeship and licensing structure unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Domestic violence awareness training proposals
- Blow-dry styling deregulation discussions
- Compact adoption consideration
North Carolina
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No major barber or cosmetology law changes
- CE requirements remain limited
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Training hour reductions under review
- Compact legislation possible
North Dakota
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new cosmetology laws effective
- Licensing requirements unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Deregulation of low-risk services under discussion
- Compact participation review
Ohio
New Laws Effective in 2026
- Ohio is an active Cosmetology Licensure Compact member
- Existing reduced training hours remain effective
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Scope clarification for esthetic devices
- Continued regulatory modernization
Oklahoma
New Laws Effective in 2026
- Blow-dry and basic styling services remain deregulated
- No new 2026 statutes
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Further deregulation discussions ongoing
- Compact adoption considered
Oregon
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No major new laws
- Apprenticeship and licensing framework remains stable
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Scope updates for advanced esthetics
- Compact discussions ongoing
Pennsylvania
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new statutes effective
- Licensing requirements unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Mobile salon licensing proposals
- Compact adoption discussions
Rhode Island
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new barber or cosmetology laws
- Training and licensing unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Compact consideration
- Minor regulatory updates possible
South Carolina
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No major changes effective
- Licensing structure remains intact
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Training hour reductions discussed
- Compact adoption review
South Dakota
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new cosmetology statutes
- Licensing requirements stable
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Deregulation of low-risk services considered
- Compact discussions ongoing
Tennessee
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new laws effective
- Existing reduced training hours remain
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Scope clarifications for esthetics
- Compact participation considered
Texas
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new cosmetology statutes effective
- Texas continues to allow mobile salons
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Further deregulation of low-risk services
- Compact adoption discussions
Utah
New Laws Effective in 2026
- Blow-dry styling remains deregulated
- No new statutory changes
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Compact participation consideration
- Scope clarification for esthetics devices
Vermont
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new laws effective
- Licensing requirements unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Compact adoption discussions
- Minor administrative updates possible
Virginia
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new cosmetology laws effective
- Existing training and licensing structure remains
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Domestic violence awareness training proposals
- Compact adoption review
Washington
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new statutes effective
- Licensing requirements unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Advanced esthetics scope clarification
- Compact participation consideration
West Virginia
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No major changes
- Licensing remains stable
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Deregulation discussions ongoing
- Compact adoption considered
Wisconsin
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new cosmetology statutes
- Reduced training hour model remains in place
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Compact participation discussions
- Scope clarification proposals
Wyoming
New Laws Effective in 2026
- No new barber or cosmetology laws
- Licensing requirements unchanged
Proposed & Pending Legislation
- Deregulation of low-risk services considered
- Compact adoption discussions
