Archives West Finding Aid

The Montana State Examining Board of Beauty Culturalists was created in 1929 to regulate the occupation of hairdressers and cosmotologists. The duties of the board included licensing cosmotologists to practice and to teach, offering the examinations necessary for licensing, creating rules regulating the conduct and sanitation of beauty salons, and providing penalties for violations of their rules. The Board consisted on three members, each of whom were professional hairdressers, appointed by the Governor to serve a four year term. In 1961, Legislation changed the name of the Board to the State Examining Board of Cosmetology. The new legislation also clarified licensing regulations, particularly in reference to graduates of training schools. Membership in the Board was redefined to include stricter standards. All Board members after 1961 were required to have five years of experience, have graduated from high school, and be a resident of Montana for five years prior the his or her appointment. In 1972, the Board was moved to the Department of Professional and Occupational Licensing (DPOL) and renamed the Board of Cosmetologists. DPOL dissolved in 1981 and its duties were transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry.