History

The History of House Bill 2510

View HB2510 Timeline

  • 2002- Legislative session where a House Bill was proposed to study the need for esthetics regulations.  This study was overseen by The Department for Professional Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Director Bill Ferguson.
  • November 2002- DPOR concluded after a lengthy study and public comment that regulation by mandatory licensure of Ethetics was evident.  At this time, there was no one willing to carry a bill into session.
  • October 2004- A group of industry leaders meet in Richmond at the SCHEV (State Council of Higher Education for Virginia) offices to discuss the logistics of licensure.
  • Saphonia Gee and Kim Thumel attended the meeting to represent The Society of Virginia Skincare Specialists (SVSS).
  • The original group of professionals that met at SCHEV eventually separated into three different organizations.
  • The Professional Esthetics Association (PEA) was formed for the purpose of crafting a bill.
  • Opposition was met about the specifics of the bill.  Some members supported a two-tier bill, while others did not.  Two-tier meaning that there would be license for basic level and master level esthetics.
  • Members split from PEA to form The Virginia Panel for Esthetics Licensure.  
  • Concurrently, SVSS continued their mission for two-tier licensure and crafted HB 2510.  
  • SVSS received sponsorship for HB2510 through Delegate Phil Hamilton, who eventually passed it on to Delegate John Welch, III (R-Virginia Beach).
  • Saphonia Gee and Kim Thumel on behalf of SVSS met with Delegate Welch and his aid Robert Rummels to explain the intricacies and importance of licensure.
  • January 2005, Delegate Welch introduced a two-tiered bill.
  • A Spa Day was created to educate members of the Virginia General Assembly about the field of esthetics and promote awareness of the bill.
  • Meanwhile all three groups, PEA, SVSS and The Virginia Panel continued to lobby, but SVSS and The Panel were focused on the importance of two-tier licensure.
  • The National Coalition of Esthetic and Professional Association (NCEA) wrote letters to support the bill.
  • After many committee meetings and valuable time spent on Capital Hill, SVSS and The Virginia Panel were successful.
  • The approximate $50,000 invested by SVSS in lobbying HB2510 paid off.
  • On September 20, 2007 HB2510 took effect.  Estheticans must have a basic license (600 hours) or a master esthetics license (1200 hours) to practice in the state of Virginia.  As of October 20, 2007 anyone practicing esthetics must have a license.