Untitled Texas Attorney General Opinion

Mrs. Bess Blackwell Opinion No. C-532 Executive Secretary State Board of Hairdressers Re: Whether a licensed beauty and Cosmetologists operator may work in a barber Austin, Texas shop giving shampoos, hair col- oring, or styling the hair of Dear Mrs. Blackwell: male patrons of the shop. Your request for an opinion poses the following question: Whether a licensed beauty operator is eligible to work In a barber shop doing (1) shampooing, (2) hair coloring, or (3) styling the hair of male clients. Article 734b, Vernon's Penal Code, is common1 known as the Hairdressersand CosmetologistsLaw. Article 73 %a, Ver- non's Penal Code, Is commonly known as the Texas Barber Law. Both set up different State agencies for the regulation of their respective practices. Article 734b, Section 10(g), provides: "The Board may refuse to issue or to renew or may suspend or revoke any license issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the following reasons: 11 . . . "(g) Practicing hairdressingor cos- metology outside of a beauty shop excert as provided by Section 12 of this Act. Section 12 of this Act provides the only exception to the practicing of hairdressingand cosmetologyoutside of a beauty shop and it is as follows: Provided, further, that nothing in this & shall prohibit a person licensed under this Act from performing duties as pre- scribed by this Act In the home of a customer in cases of emergency, when sent by a shop owner. . . .' -2542- Mrs. Bess Blackwell, Page 2 (C- 532) This Section also permits work upon the hair to be performed in a private home when done without charge. From the above sections, it is clear that the only way a licensed beauty operator ma perform their services out- side a licensed beauty shop is (1"iin the home of a customer in cases of emergency when sent by a shop owner or (2) work upon the hair of a person when performed in a private home without charge of fee. Article 734a, Section 1, Vernon's Penal Code, pro- vides: "It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the practice or attempt to practice barbering in the State of Texas without a certificateor reRistrationas a reulsteredbarber issued pursuant to the provisions of this Act, by the Board of 3ar er -phasis added) Section 4(a) of said Act provides: (I . . . and the practice of barber- ing Is hereby defined to be the follow- ing practices for hire or reward when not done In the practice of medicine, surgery, osteopathy, or necessary treatmentsof healing the body by one authorizedby law to do so; ”(a) Shaving or trimming the beard or cutting the hair.” (Emphasisadded) Section 4(b) provides: “By giving any of the following treatmentsby any person engaged In shav- ing or trimming the beard and/or cutting the hair; II . . . “(2) Singeing, shampooing,or dye- = the hair or applying hair tonics; IX . . . ” (&nphasisadded) -2543- Mrs. Besa Blackwell, Page 3 (C-532) Article 734a, Section 6, Vernon's Penal Code, pro- vides: "It shall be unlawful for any person to follow the occupation of cutting hair, or practice as a halrcutter in any beauty shop or hair dressing parlor or elsewhere for hire as hereinbeforeprovided unless excepted by this act, unless such person shall have first obtained a Certificate, as herein provided, which certificate shall authorize the cutting of hair only in such parlor or establishmentwhere such hair- cutting is for hire or reward. . . .' No exception is found in this Act which allows a licensed beauty operator to perform the services of barbering about which you request, I.e., cutting the hair, shampooing the hair and dyeing the hair, without first complying with the licensing provisions of the Texas Barber Law. Prom the above statutes, It Is clearly seen that be- fore a person can perform the services of a barber, they must first comply with the regulationsof, and be licensed by, the Board of Barber Examiners of the State of Texas. Before a per- son may perform the services of hairdressing and cosmetology, they must comply with the regulations of, and be licensed by, the Board of Hairdressersand Cosmetologistsof the State of Texaa. Further, any licensed hairdresser and cosmetologist who performs his services outside a licensed beauty shop, with the exception noted in Article 734b, Section 12, Vernon's Penal Code, above, may have his license suspended or revoked If it has previouslybeen Issued or the Board may refuse to issue or renew his license, whichever is applicable. SUMMARY A licensed beauty operator may not work in a barber shop giving shampoos, hair coloring, or styling the hair of male patrons of the shop. Yours very truly, WAGGONER CARR Attorney General of Texas By: Dti &dQ-"k DUNKLIN SULLIVAN DS/lbh Assistant Attorney General -2544- Mrs. Bess Blackwell, Page 4 (C- 532) APPROVED: OPINION COMMITTEE: W. V. Geppert, Chairman Ralph Rash Tom Mack W. 0. Shultz Pat Bailey APPROVED FOR TRE ATTORNEY GENERAL BY: T. B. Wright -2545-