American Association of Career Schools Urges Public Comment Against Flawed Federal Rule That Threatens 92% of Beauty Schools
Public Comment Period Opens Monday for Department of Education Rule That Could Eliminate Career Training for 150,000 Students Annually
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Department of Education opens a 30-day public comment period today for its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on accountability measures, the American Association of Career Schools (AACS) is calling on stakeholders to submit comments opposing a deeply flawed rule that threatens the closure of 92% of accredited beauty, barber, and wellness schools nationwide.
The proposed rule stems from the Department’s implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Accountability Framework, which Congress designed to apply only to degree programs and graduate certificates. However, the Department is expanding the framework beyond President Trump’s and Congress’s intent to include undergraduate certificate programs. The Department’s own projections show 92.5% of cosmetology and barber programs and 89% of massage therapy programs would fail, losing access to federal student loans and grants essential for career training.
The rule fails to account for industry realities: beauty professionals work around 24 hours per week, significant unreported tip income, time required to build clientele, and that one-third are self-employed entrepreneurs.
“This isn’t just a policy problem—this is an industry-wide crisis,” said Garrett Shuler, AACS Board Chair. “Congress deliberately excluded undergraduate certificate programs from this accountability framework in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Department is exceeding its statutory authority by applying these measures to programs Congress specifically chose to protect. These schools prepare students for immediate employment in an essential industry that provides stable careers and entrepreneurial opportunities.”
“This rule would eliminate one of the last true pathways for Americans of all backgrounds to achieve the American Dream,” said Stacy Wells, AACS Board Vice Chair. “Students find their calling and build successful careers behind the chair and at the treatment table. This industry creates entrepreneurs, business owners, and provides essential services that every family relies on. Communities across America would suffer without access to trained beauty and wellness professionals.”
The Department must receive comments on or before May 20, 2026. AACS encourages stakeholders to submit comments urging the Department to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as Congress intended—excluding undergraduate certificate programs from the accountability framework entirely.
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About the American Association of Career Schools (AACS)
Founded in 1924, the American Association of Career Schools (AACS) is a national nonprofit association representing privately owned schools of cosmetology arts and sciences. For over 100 years, AACS has been advancing beauty, barber, and wellness education through education, networking, and advocacy. The association’s membership includes cosmetology, skin, nail, barbering, and massage schools that have educated and advanced millions of students into the beauty and wellness industry. AACS is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
