Public Meeting Notice  Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering Meeting - 7.16.26

Microsoft Teams meeting link  

Meeting ID: 216 447 326 086 80  

Passcode: 8hZ9bU6S

OR: Dial in to the meeting: +1 857-327-9245  

Phone conference ID: 530 139 911#

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Registration of Cosmetology & Barbering will be convening their monthly meeting.

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering convened a regular monthly meeting on: 

July 16, 2026, Microsoft Teams Meeting

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting.

All board members and staff appeared telephonically or by video conference.  All votes were taken by roll call. 

9:34 A.M. Chair Joy Talbot called the open meeting to order.

Board members present: 

• Erinn Breedy
• Heather Cohen
• Nicole Corliss
• Cassia Gilroy
• Toni-Anne Harrison
• Samuel Pierre
• Iris Stowe
• Joy Talbot, Chair

Board members absent: 

DOL Staff present: 

• Nicole Manfredi, Executive Director 
• Jamie Dalton, Board Counsel
• Colleen Maloney, Associate Deputy Commissioner
• John Moreschi, First Deputy Commissioner, Chief of Staff & Special Counsel
• Sarah Wilkinson, Commissioner

1. Ms. Manfredi stated that the meeting was being conducted virtually pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law and applicable guidance. She further advised that the meeting was being recorded by the agency for public record purposes and that attendees remaining in the meeting were consenting to participation in the public record. Attendees wishing to make their own recording were instructed to identify themselves to the Board.
2. The Chair reviewed conference call and open meeting protocol with meeting attendees. 

3. Executive Director report

   Mrs. Manfredi reported the following:

   1. The Unit's transition to the eLIPSE licensing system is scheduled for August 3, 2026. A brief system blackout period will occur immediately prior to implementation, with dates to be announced. Following the transition, all license applications will be submitted through the agency's website, while PSI will continue administering licensing examinations. Staff are participating in transition training and anticipate only minor processing delays during implementation. The new system is expected to improve licensing workflows and streamline the application process.
4. Board Counsel report

Attorney Dalton reported the following:

1. Nothing to report
2. Approval of Minutes

   1. June 11, 2026

      Minutes from June 11, 2026, public session were discussed. A motion was made to accept the minutes as written by Mr. Pierre and seconded by Ms. Corliss. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

6. Discussion Items
   1. Schools

      1. Juvenex Esthetics Advanced Academy Corporation, relocation

         The Board discussed the school’s documentation (review required upon relocation).

         A motion was made by Ms. Cohen and seconded by Ms. Breedy to accept the school’s enrollment agreement and catalog contingent upon receiving revised documents that incorporate the Board’s recommendations and review by the Chair. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

1. Diamond Aesthetics Academy, 900-hour Esthetics program

   The Board discussed the school’s documentation and application.

   A motion was made by Ms. Gilroy and seconded by Ms. Cohen to accept the

   school’s enrollment agreement and catalog contingent upon receiving revised

   documents that incorporate the Board’s recommendations and review by the Chair. The Chair called for a roll call vote:

The motion passed.

2. Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School, renovation

   The Board discussed the school’s documentation (review required upon renovation).

   A motion was made by Ms. Corliss and seconded by Ms. Gilroy to accept the

   school’s enrollment agreement and catalog contingent upon receiving revised

   documents that incorporate the Board’s recommendations. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

3. Crest Collaborative, Cosmetology program

   The Board discussed the school’s documentation and application.

   A motion was made by Ms. Cohen and seconded by Ms. Stowe to accept the school’s enrollment agreement and catalog contingent upon receiving revised documents that incorporate the Board’s recommendations. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

2. Applicants

   1. Justin Pitz/Axe to Grind

      The applicant was invited to discuss their Barber Shop application and prior disciplinary history. 

      The applicant failed to appear. They will be invited to the August meeting.

   2. Other

      1. Discussion: English Language Learner examination accommodations
      2. Discussion: Proposed Apprentice Program
      3. Policy review: Distance Learning Policy
      4. Policy review: Dual Instructor Licenses

      At the request of Mr. Frank Zona, the Board discussed potential barriers to licensure for English language learners. 

      The Board acknowledged the concerns raised and agreed to further evaluate several areas, including the accuracy of translated examination content, additional examination performance data available from the testing vendor, the impact of replacing the practical examination with a written practical component, and the role of employer-supported training in preparing candidates for the examination. The Board agreed to prioritize these issues and plans to revisit examination performance data at its September and November meetings.

      The Board discussed the potential development of apprenticeship pathways for each cosmetology and barbering license type. 

      A redlined draft of proposed regulations and a draft program overview were presented for preliminary review. The proposed program is intended to provide an alternative pathway to licensure for individuals for whom traditional school attendance is not a feasible option. Board members provided initial feedback and were asked to submit additional comments and concerns to the Executive Director and Attorney Dalton. A revised proposal will be presented at the August meeting for further review, with possible Board action on the proposed regulations.

      The Board continued its discussion of the Distance Learning Policy. 

      Staff presented a summary of the required theory hours for each license type to assist the Board in evaluating potential revisions to the current policy. The Board provided feedback and requested revisions for further review and discussion at the August meeting.

      The Board revisited a previous discussion and vote regarding candidates who apply for Dual Instructor Licenses.

      The Board considered whether a previously earned passing instructor examination score may be accepted for a subsequent instructor license application when the applicant otherwise meets all current licensure requirements. Although the Board previously discussed and voted on this issue in 2024, the corresponding meeting minutes could not be located. Upon the recommendation of Board counsel, the matter was presented again to ensure the Board's decision is reflected in the official record. The Board voted to reaffirm its prior decision.

A motion was made by Mr. Pierre and seconded by Ms. Stowe to accept a previously earned passing instructor examination score for a subsequent instructor license application, provided the applicant otherwise meets all current licensure requirements. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

7. Discussed other matters not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting. No matters presented. 
8. Executive Session closed per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(1); Individual Character Rather Than Competence

A motion was made by Mr. Pierre and seconded by Ms. Gilroy to conclude Public Session and move into Executive Session, then to Investigative Conference CLOSED pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 65C and Quasi-Judicial Session CLOSED pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30a, § 18 if required. The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

9. Adjournment 

A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Cohen and seconded by Mr. Pierre The Chair called for a roll call vote: 

The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 2:26 P.M.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2026, at 9:30 A.M.

Items relied upon during the open meeting

• Agenda
• Draft minutes June 11, 2026
• Application and supporting materials for Juvenex Esthetics Advanced Academy Corporation
• Application and supporting materials for Diamond Aesthetics Academy
• Application and supporting materials for Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School
• Application and supporting materials for Crest Collaborative
• Application and supporting materials for Justin Pitz
• Correspondence from Mr. Frank Zona
• Redline regulations for Proposed Apprentice Program
• Distance Learning Policy

It is anticipated that the topics shown below will be discussed at the aforementioned meeting:

1. Open Meeting Called to Order 
2. Executive Director Report 
   1. eLIPSE transition update
3. Board Counsel Report  
4. Review Minutes of the following meetings: 
   1. June 11, 2026
5. Discussion
   1. Schools
      1. Juvenex 600-hour Esthetics Program (relocation)
      2. Diamond Aesthetics Academy 900-hour Aesthetics Course
      3. Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School Cosmetology Program (renovation)
      4. Crest Collaborative Cosmetology School
   2. Applications
      1. Justin Pitz, Barber/Barber Shop reinstatement
   3. Other
      1. English Language Learner licensing access barriers
      2. Apprentice Program
      3. Distance Learning Policy
      4. Dual instructor licenses
6. Topics not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of meeting
7. Executive Session (M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(1)), To discuss individuals’ character, rather than competence
   1. Approval of Meeting Minutes:
      1. June 11, 2026
   2. Applicants
8. Investigative Conference closed per M.G.L. c. 112, § 65C 
9. Quasi-Judicial Session closed per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 18
10. Adjournment

The next scheduled meeting is August 13, 2026.