Alabama Adopts Esthetics Licensure Compact
Summary
Alabama enacted SB163 adopting the Esthetics Licensure Compact, establishing a multistate licensing framework for estheticians. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher and passed unanimously in both chambers (34-0 Senate, 102-0/66-0 House). The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering will administer the compact, allowing licensed estheticians to practice across participating states through a compact privilege system.
What changed
Alabama has enacted legislation adopting the Esthetics Licensure Compact, creating a new multistate licensing pathway for estheticians. The bill establishes that qualified estheticians holding an active license in a compact member state may obtain compact privileges to practice in Alabama without obtaining a separate state license, and Alabama-licensed estheticians may similarly practice in other member states. The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering will serve as the licensing authority responsible for issuing compact privileges and enforcing compliance with compact requirements.
Affected parties include current and prospective estheticians seeking multistate practice authority, cosmetology and esthetics schools, and salon/spa employers who may benefit from expanded access to licensed professionals. Compliance officers at esthetician licensing boards and regulated establishments should review the compact's requirements, including eligibility standards, background check provisions, and any disciplinary review procedures, to ensure smooth implementation and identify any operational adjustments needed for the multistate licensing system.
What to do next
- Review Esthetics Licensure Compact requirements and eligibility criteria
- Update internal licensing procedures for estheticians seeking compact privileges
- Monitor for additional states joining the Esthetics Licensure Compact
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Alabama / SB163 Enacted SB163 Senate Bill Enacted 2026-04-06
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering; adoption of Esthetics Licensure Compact
Bill Details
State Alabama
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Kirk Hatcher (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-06 S Enacted 2026-04-06 S Enacted 2026-03-31 S Delivered to Governor 2026-03-31 H Signature Requested 2026-03-31 S Enrolled 2026-03-31 S Ready to Enroll 2026-03-31 H Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1088 2026-03-31 H Third Reading in Second House 2026-02-05 H Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar 2026-02-04 H Reported Out of Committee Second House 2026-01-27 H Pending House Boards, Agencies and Commissions 2026-01-27 H Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Boards, Agencies and Commissions 2026-01-27 S Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 165 2026-01-27 S Third Reading in House of Origin 2026-01-21 S Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar 2026-01-21 S Reported Out of Committee House of Origin 2026-01-14 S Pending Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety 2026-01-14 S Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety
Votes
2026-01-27 SBIR: Passed by House of Origin Yea: 34 Nay: 0 2026-01-27 Third Reading in House of Origin Yea: 34 Nay: 0 2026-01-27 Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Roll Call 165 Yea: 34 Nay: 0 2026-03-31 HBIR: Passed by Second House Yea: 102 Nay: 0 2026-03-31 Third Reading in Second House Yea: 102 Nay: 0 2026-03-31 Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Roll Call 1055 Yea: 102 Nay: 0 2026-03-31 HBIR: Passed by Second House Yea: 66 Nay: 0 2026-03-31 Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Roll Call 1088 Yea: 66 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-14 S Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety 2026-01-27 H Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-14 Introduced 2026-03-31 Enrolled
Subjects
Occupational Licensing Boards Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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