MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Dixon
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-7-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE TESTING SERVICE WITH THE STATE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY CONTRACTS TO CONDUCT EXAMINATIONS TO CONDUCT THE EXAMINATIONS AT NOT LESS THAN THREE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, INCLUDING ONE LOCATION EACH IN THE NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AREAS OF THE STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT APPLICANTS FOR LICENSES ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY MUST TAKE THE EXAMINATION IN PERSON AT ONE OF THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE CONTRACTED TESTING SERVICE CONDUCTS THE EXAMINATION AND SHOW AN OFFICIAL PICTURE IDENTIFICATION VERIFYING THEIR IDENTITY BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO TAKE THE EXAMINATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OR THE CONTRACTED TESTING SERVICE MAY NOT AUTHORIZE ANY APPLICANT TO TAKE THE EXAMINATION ONLINE OR AT ANY LOCATION OTHER THAN ONE OF THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE CONTRACTED TESTING SERVICE CONDUCTS THE EXAMINATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 73-7-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
73-7-12. (1) The State Board of Cosmetology shall contract with a recognized testing service to conduct examinations for cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists and instructors at such times and locations as determined by the contracted testing service. No member of the board shall be authorized to personally administer the examinations. The contracted testing service shall conduct the examinations at not less than three (3) locations throughout the state, including one (1) location each in the north, central and southern areas of the state.
(2) Applicants must take the examination in person at one (1) of the locations where the contracted testing service conducts the examination, and show an official picture identification verifying their identity before being allowed to take the examination. The board or the contracted testing service may not authorize any applicant to take the examination online or at any location other than one (1) of the locations where the contracted testing service conducts the examination.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.