In this Legislative Updates section are status reports on recent efforts to create licensure portability in the form of three interstate licensure compacts . Following the individual compact updates are an overview of benefits of licensure portability to the spa industry and a review of the players involved in these legislative efforts . Thanks to Leslie Roste , vice president for government affairs at the Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition , and Matt Shafer , deputy policy director at the Council of State Government ’ s National Center for Interstate Compacts , who provided much of the following information .

Celebrating Success : Cosmetology Compact Enacted

Legislative progress and future goals The Cosmetology Licensure Compact added four more states during the 2024 legislative session , bringing the total number of compact member states to eight : Alabama , Arizona , Colorado , Kentucky , Maryland , Ohio , Tennessee and Virginia . Bills are still pending in New Jersey and Pennsylvania .

Since the cosmetology compact has now been enacted in eight states , the compact is officially activated and , after an implementation period of 12 to 18 months , can begin to be used by licensed cosmetologists in member states .

Call to action for the spa community While the compact is enacted , it will become increasingly powerful with additional states signing on . “ We have 21 states we ’ re looking at for legislation in 2025 ,” according to FBIC ’ s Leslie Roste . “ We ’ re hoping to have 25 states active by mid-2025 .”

ISPA members are encouraged to reach out to their legislators and state licensing boards to emphasize support for the compacts . Letters and emails can be incredibly helpful in advocating for these changes . For more information , visit cosmetologycompact . org .

Update on IMpact : Massage Compact Seeks More States

Current Status of IMpact As of August 2024 , the Interstate Massage Therapy Licensure Compact — known as IMpact — has successfully added Ohio as its second member state . IMpact still needs to add five more states to become active .

Call to action for the spa community For IMpact to become operational , the support and advocacy of industry professionals are crucial . Here ’ s how you can help : 1 . Reach out to legislators : Contact your state legislators to express your support for the massage therapy licensure compact . Personal letters and emails can make a significant appeal . 2 . Engage with state licensing boards : Communicate with your state licensing board to emphasize the importance of joining IMpact and the benefits it will bring to both practitioners and businesses .

For those looking to learn more about IMpact and how to support the initiative , find extensive information and resources at massagecompact . org .

Introducing the Esthetics Compact

Exciting news for estheticians This summer , an interstate compact for estheticians was announced and is set to begin development this fall .

Given its similarity to the successful Cosmetology Licensure Compact , states that enact the esthetics compact in 2026 will likely see it implemented swiftly .

Educating legislators and boards

Many legislators and licensing boards lack an understanding of what estheticians do . This lack of knowledge is partly because these boards often do not include an esthetician , leaving their concerns unheard . The compact provides a pathway for educating state legislators and boards about the scope and science of esthetics , ensuring estheticians ’ voices are better heard and understood .

The upcoming esthetics compact offers a unique

10 PULSE n SEPTEMBER 2024