29.1Authority and Purpose
A.These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred under R.I. Gen. Laws , and are adopted for the purpose of establishing minimum standards for the practice of electrolysis and laser hair removal in this state.
29.2Incorporated Materials
A.These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate the American Electrology Association "Standards of Practice for Electrologists" (2017) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations.
B.These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate the American Electrology Association "Infection Prevention Standards for the Practice of Electrolysis" (2023) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations.
C.These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) "Blood borne Pathogen Standards" 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (2023) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations.
29.3Definitions
A.Wherever used in these rules and regulations, the following terms shall be construed as follows:
1.“Act” means R.I. Gen. Laws , as amended, entitled “Electrolysis and Laser Hair Removal.”
2."AEA" means the American Electrology Association.
3.“Department” means the Rhode Island Department of Health.
4.“Electrologist” means a person as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-1(1).
5.“Electrology” means the practice of electrical hair removal to permanently remove human hair from the body.
6.“Electrolysis” means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-1(2).
7."Laser" means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-1(3).
8."Laser hair removal" means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-1(4).
9."Laser light" means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-1(5).
10.“Licensure” and “certification” shall be synonymous for the purposes of these Regulations as authorized by R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-32.
11."Medical director" means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-1(6).
12."R.I. Gen. Laws" means the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended.
13."These Regulations" means all parts of the Rhode Island Rules and Regulations Related to the Practice of Electrolysis and Laser Hair Removal.
29.4General License Requirements
A.License Required. No person can practice as an electrologist or represent himself or herself as being able to practice as an electrologist in Rhode Island unless the person is licensed in accordance with the requirements of the Act and these regulations.
29.5Qualification for Licensure
A.In addition to the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-4, an applicant for licensure must submit to the Department evidence that the applicant has passed the AEA examination in electrology.
B.Endorsement. In addition to the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-7 an applicant for licensure by endorsement must submit evidence that the applicant has passed the AEA examination in electrology.
29.5.1Apprenticeship
A.The apprenticeship shall include at least six hundred fifty (650) hours of study and practice in the theory and practical application of electrolysis within a term of nine (9) months. The six hundred fifty (650) hour apprenticeship must include instruction and training as stipulated in the "Instruction and Training Requirements for Electrology Apprenticeships" chart below:
Instruction and Training Requirements for Electrology Apprenticeships |
Histology | 50 hours |
Bacteria, sterilization, and hygiene | 100 hours |
Dermatology | 75 hours |
Principles of electricity | 25 hours |
Anatomy, physiology, and endocrinology | 75 hours |
Magnification, lighting, and equipment | 25 hours |
Professional ethics, human relations, and office management | 25 hours |
Practical training | 275 hours |
TOTAL | 650 hours |
B.Apprenticeships require the following:
1.The apprentice must register with the Department upon beginning his or her course of instruction;
2.The licensed electrologist who supervises the apprentice must keep a record of the hours of instruction;
3.Upon completion of the apprenticeship, the instructor shall certify the apprenticeship on forms provided by the Department.
29.5.2Qualifications for Teaching Electrolysis
A.In order to qualify for a license as an instructor or teacher of electrolysis to apprentices, an applicant must meet the requirements of R.I Gen. Laws § 5-32-20.
29.6Application for License and Fee
A.Application for License. In order to apply for a license as an electrologist an applicant must submit the following on forms furnished by the Department:
1.Completed application including but not limited to name, address, date of birth, social security number, telephone number and email address.
2.Application fee as defined in Part 10-05-2 of this Title, Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health. The fee is non-refundable and non-returnable.
3.Results of the AEA examination sent directly to the Department by the AEA.
4An affidavit signed by the licensed electrology instructor who supervised the apprentice attesting to the completion of the hours of instruction required in § 29.5.1(A) of this Part.
B.Application for License by Endorsement. In order to apply for a license as an electrologist by endorsement an applicant must submit the following on forms furnished by the Department:
1.Completed application including but not limited to name, address, date of birth, social security number, telephone number and email address.
2.Application fee as defined in Part 10-05-2 of this Title, Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health. The fee is non-refundable and non-returnable.
3.Verification that applicant has passed the AEA examination sent directly to the Department by the AEA.
C.Application for Instructor License. In order to apply for a license as an electrology instructor an applicant must submit the following on forms furnished by the Department:
1.Completed application including but not limited to name, address, date of birth, social security number, telephone number and email address.
2.Application fee as defined in Part 10-05-2 of this Title, Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health. The fee is non-refundable and non-returnable.
3.Verification that applicant has passed the Instructor Examination approved by the Department.
4.Verification that applicant has been actively engaged as a licensed practitioner of electrolysis for at least five (5) years in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-20(a)(1).
29.7Issuance of License
A.A license to practice electrolysis will be issued to any person that meets the requirements of the Act and these regulations.
1.Every license issued in accordance with these regulations shall specify the name of the person to whom it was issued and must be displayed prominently in the place of business or employment.
29.8Expiration and Renewal of Licenses
A.Expiration. All licenses shall expire in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-6(b).
B.Renewal. In order to renew a license the licensee must file a renewal application with the Department together with a renewal fee as defined in Part 10-05-2 of this Title, Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health, on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of April of each year, as required by these regulations. The renewal license is effective on the first (1st) day of May and expires on the thirtieth (30th) day of April of each year.
C.Late Renewal. In order to renew an expired license, an applicant must file a renewal application with the Department together with a renewal fee as defined in Part 10-05-2 of this Title, Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health.
29.9Laser Hair Removal
29.9.1Persons licensed before July 1, 2019
A.A person licensed as an electrologist before July 1, 2019, shall be permitted to practice electrology and laser hair removal without medical director oversight pursuant to the conditions in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-21(a).
B.The department may reinstate the requirement to perform laser hair removal under the supervision of a medical director for a period of two (2) years pursuant to the conditions in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-21(a).
29.9.2Persons Licensed After July 1, 2019
A.A person licensed as an electrologist after July 1, 2019, shall practice laser hair removal only under the supervision of a medical director pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-21(b).
B.A licensed electrologist shall be exempt from § 29.9.2(A) of this Part upon completion of two (2) years of practice under the supervision of a medical director and submission of an application to the department certifying that they meet the criteria in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 5-32-21(b)(1) through (3).
C.The department may reinstate the requirement to perform laser hair removal under the supervision of a medical director for a period of two (2) years pursuant to the conditions in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-21(b).
29.9.3Equipment
A.All equipment used for laser hair removal shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the United States Food and Drug Administration.
B.An electrologist shall maintain a complete record of receipt, transfer, and disposal for each device used for electrolysis and laser hair removal, which shall be in writing or capable of reproduction in written form, and shall contain the data required in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-21(d).
29.10Practice of Electrolysis
A.The practice of electrolysis shall be engaged pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-9.
B.Licensed electrologists are subject to the AEA "Standards of Practice for Electrologists" incorporated by reference above at § 29.2(A) of this Part.
29.11Infection Control Standards
A.Any person licensed to practice electrolysis shall conduct his/her practice in such a manner as to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases and blood borne pathogens in accordance with the standards of the AEA "Infection Prevention Standards for the Practice of Electrolysis" incorporated above at § 29.2(B) of this Part. These standards include follow-up procedures for potential exposures to HBV, HIV and other blood borne pathogens.
B.Persons engaged in the practice of electrolysis shall comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Blood borne Pathogen Standards of 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030 incorporated above at § 29.2(C) of this Part in order to protect themselves (and any employees) against occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens.
29.12Sanctions and Penalties
A.Any person, firm, corporation or association violating any of the provisions of the Act or these regulations commits a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00), or imprisoned for a period not to exceed three (3) months, or both the fine and imprisonment.
B.Every person who engages in the practice of electrolysis in Rhode Island without being licensed by the Department is subject to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-32-2.
C.The Department shall have power to revoke or suspend any license issued in accordance with these regulations for gross unprofessional misconduct as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws .
29.13Rules Governing Practices and Procedures
A.All hearings and reviews required under the provisions of shall be held in accordance with Part 10-05-4 of this Title, Practices and Procedures Before the Rhode Island Department of Health and Part 10-05-1 of this Title, Access to Public Records.
