Page 98 - BWM Dec 2012

98 | Business World Magazine | December 2012
out of business) resulted in efforts to remove
licensing requirements. Their argument was
that licensure is an impediment to people be-
ing employed. Beyond the fact that those in
the industry actually appreciate their train-
ing, certification and earned status as profes-
sionals, Sleeper says any measure to remove
licensing in the beauty industry stems from
“fundamental lack of understanding.”
“It is an uneducated and naive posi-
tion to say don’t license the industry… there
are public health and safety issues involv-
ing disease control and infection control.
Just like at restaurants, no one would want
to see restaurants deregulated because there
are public health issues. The same is true for
hair salons, just imagine, someone is cutting
your hair with razor sharp scissors. They’re
applying harsh chemicals that can cause in-
jury if not used correctly. They’re using tools
that can help spread disease if not cleaned
properly. Deregulation just doesn’t make any
sense,” says Sleeper. PBA has been very active
in fighting against these kinds of legislative
policies, but at the same time, has been work-
ing to unify what are otherwise State-to-
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