Two key regulatory boards in Oklahoma – the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and the Oklahoma Funeral Board – have each received a reprieve from dissolution following last-minute action by state lawmakers and agreement from Governor Kevin Stitt.
Amid widespread backlash from industry professionals, the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering will continue operating for one more year. The decision followed an outpouring of concern from barbers, stylists and salon owners who warned that eliminating the board could open the door to unregulated, unsafe practices. Industry members and lawmakers voiced concern that such deregulation could lead to confusion and health risks, with untrained individuals performing cosmetology services without oversight.
While the governor did not sign a bill extending the board through 2028, its continuation has now been secured through Senate Bill 676, which keeps the board in place until July 2025.
The one-year extension is intended to give lawmakers time to craft a broader regulatory overhaul. Governor Stitt has voiced criticism of the board, suggesting its responsibilities might be better handled by the Department of Health. Legislators from both parties acknowledged that the final days of session did not provide enough time for thorough reform, prompting the temporary measure to prevent disruption to the profession and public safety.
In a separate matter, the Oklahoma Funeral Board will remain in operation until July 2029. House Bill 2286, which passed both chambers by wide margins, became law without the governor’s signature after he allowed the bill to sit unsigned for five days. The board’s fate had been in question following the governor’s earlier veto of a shorter extension. He had previously argued that the funeral industry was being overly protected from competition and called for regulatory reform.
Despite those concerns, lawmakers ultimately approved the longer extension. The bill also includes provisions to allow the licensing of assistant funeral directors – those with more than 60 college credit hours, regardless of field of study, and over the age of 18. Advocates say this move will help ease the staffing burdens on funeral homes, improving service for families and offering more flexibility for licensed funeral directors.
The Oklahoma Funeral Board, composed of seven members appointed by the governor, oversees licensing and enforcement within the funeral services industry. Members must be licensed and have significant professional experience in the field.
The decision to keep both boards operational reflects a broader theme in this year’s legislative session: balancing the push for deregulation with the practical realities and public expectations of oversight. While the cosmetology board now faces a tighter deadline to justify its structure and effectiveness, the funeral board has secured a longer runway, offering stability to its professionals and the families they serve.
Both measures underscore the influence of public input, as legislators responded to pressure from constituents and stakeholders. With another year ahead for deliberation on the cosmetology board, and four years for the funeral board, the legislature is expected to revisit broader structural changes during the 2026 session.
