We call on the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners to create a Standalone Makeup Artist License.

Currently, Tennessee law requires individuals to hold a full cosmetology (1,500 hours) or aesthetics license (750 hours) to apply makeup for compensation—unless working in very specific, exempted settings.

Here’s the problem:

• These licenses include very little actual training in makeup artistry, yet are legally required for anyone providing paid makeup services for weddings, pageants, proms, freelance clients, or special events.
• This excludes artists working only in TV, film, photography, theater, or retail product demonstrations, who are legally exempt from licensing.
• The result? An inconsistent, outdated system that unfairly penalizes freelance and special-event makeup artists while ignoring how the industry actually works.

Makeup is a specialized skill.
It goes far beyond basic beauty techniques. True professional makeup artistry requires expertise in:

• Color theory and lighting
• Sanitation and hygiene
• Diverse skin tones and textures
• Application for HD film, photography, and live performance
• Communication and client care

A 96-hour standalone Makeup Artist License—focused solely on these areas—would ensure proper safety standards while removing barriers to work for thousands of freelance artists in Tennessee.

States like Louisiana require just 40 hours for a similar certification. Tennessee has the opportunity to lead with a smarter, fairer path.

 We ask the Board to:

• Add this issue to a future public meeting agenda.
• Consider creating a 96-hour standalone Makeup Artist License or Permit for professionals outside of retail and production exemptions.
• Engage with working artists, educators, and industry employers to build a license that reflects the real-world needs of makeup professionals.

Sign this petition if you believe Tennessee should modernize its beauty laws and support a dedicated, professional path for makeup artists.