ASSEMBLY CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REGULATED PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2407

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 23, 1997

      The Assembly Consumer Affairs and Regulated Professions Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 2407.

      This bill provides for the licensing of electrologists and electrology instructors. It establishes a five-member "Electrologists Advisory Committee" under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Medical Examiners in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The committee is to consist of five members: a licensed New Jersey physician, three electrologists, and one public member who will represent consumer interests. The committee will advise the Board of Medical Examiners regarding standards of practice, licensing qualifications, electrology education programs, and inspections of electrologists' offices.

      To be eligible for an electrologist's license, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent. The applicant must have successfully completed an electrology education program that includes at least 200 hours of instruction in the theory of electrology and at least 400 hours of clinical instruction. Additionally, applicants must pass an examination administered or approved by the Board of Medical Examiners.

      "Electrology" is defined in the bill as the removal of hair permanently through the utilization of solid probe electrode-type epilation, including thermolysis, being of a short-wave, high frequency type, and including electrolysis, being of a galvanic type, or a combination of both, which is accomplished by a super-imposed or sequential blend.

      The bill prohibits anyone from practicing or teaching electrology or using any title or abbreviation such as "LE" or "LEI" or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations or insignia indicating the practice or teaching of electrology unless duly licensed. No person shall operate an electrology office without obtaining an office license under the act. The Board of Medical Examiners shall set minimum criteria for the operation and physical premises of electrology offices, and may inspect offices.

      As amended, this bill provides that applicants who apply for licensure within 180 days of the first advisory committee meeting may be granted a license without sitting for an examination under certain circumstances. This would give practicing electrologists additional time to apply for licensure in order to be certified under the bill's "grandfather" provision. Additionally, another amendment opens committee membership to all licensed New Jersey physicians.