The Indiana Senate is in the process of voting for a bill which states that cosmetologists no longer need a license to cut, perm, relax and style hair.  

Freshman English education major Whitney Gregory does not support the idea of cosmetologists not earning a license.

"I will never go to an unlicensed barber," Gregory said. "What if they mess up my hair?"

Junior sports management major, Daniel Riddell, gets his  hair cut by an unlicensed barber, but said that he always gets his hair cut right.

In cosmetology school, students not only learn how to cut and style hair, but learning advanced techniques such as how to sterilize equipment and how to properly apply chemicals for different hairstyles.  If a customorer has a bad hair cut, they can't hold the unlicensed stylist accountabile. Instead, the establishment as a whole, be held accountable.

In Indiana, candidates hoping to become licensed cosmetologists must must complete 1,500 hours in school.  They must also be at least 18 years old and have, at the minimum, a tenth grade education.  The proposed bill allows any age and education level to practice hair styling and without having to go through  training and schooling to receive a license. In addition to time spent in school, tuition and fees for an Indiana cosmetology license can cost up to  $5,000.

"People who have licenses charge more, but those without charge less," Sophomore exercise science major, Amia Muhammad, said. "On the other hand, licensed hairdressers are more professional."

Many unlicensed hairdressers use the "friend" status, said Muhammad.  Some unlicensed stylists will ask the client to wash her own hair, but still charge them for it.

"Unlicensed barbers are cheaper and more convenient," freshman business major Keith Harper said. "Most shops are crowded on Saturdays and unlicensed barbers are less crowded.  They work around your schedule."

Indiana State University alumnus Mario Smith said that the bill is not logical and it is a disgrace to  hairstyling shops that have employees that spent years perfecting their hairstyling skills.  As a current student at Long's School of Cosmetology, Smith would still continue her studies should the bill pass.  

"I think the whole idea is ludicrous," Smith said.  "If this bill is passed, it's going to be nothing more than "kitchen" hairstylists: chemically burning people, knowing nothing of the chemistry of the chemicals used and how they react with the customers' hair type  Wig sales are going to skyrocket."