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PBF Scores Victory for Manicurists!

Posted October 4, 2025, under Advocacy, Hot Topics, Labor Law

Legislative/Regulatory Reforms

Governor Newsom Signs AB 1514: Extending Legal Independence to Nail Techs

After over a year of tireless negotiations and advocacy work, the Professional Beauty Federation saw their sponsored legislation, AB 1514, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.  The bill extends the sunset date on manicurists being able to operate as independent contractors in nail salons for another 3 years.

As our followers and members are aware, nail techs lost their legal right to operate as booth renters when a small provision buried in the now infamous “AB 5” law in California was triggered at the beginning of 2025.  In short, the Legislature inserted a “sunset clause” for the right of manicurists to operate independently in a nail salon for only a specified time, due to concerns about lax labor law compliance that was unearthed in a disturbing NY Times article that ran before AB 5’s passage.

While the PBF consistently requested the sunset be removed from the AB 5 law altogether, thereby providing this legal right forever, we had to work with powerful interest groups and policymakers who remain dubious about booth rental, generally, and the labor practices in the nail segment, more particularly.  AB 1514 represented the culmination of those negotiations, and with the Governor’s signature, is a significant victory for nail techs up and down the state of California.

Now the burden is on us, and specifically nail establishments and techs, to show to the world that they honor California’s labor laws.  That’s because AB 1514 calls upon labor regulators to report back to the Legislature on the rates of compliance and complaints received during this 3-year period, which will help policymakers  determine the ultimate fate of booth rental in nail salons.

It is no small feat to get legislation drafted, supported, passed through the Legislature and then signed by a Governor in the largest, most influential state in the union.  And AB 1514 was no exception.  In fact, it required all of the PBFs considerable influence, network and advocacy abilities in Sacramento to bring this (temporary) victory home.  Our work is only possible thanks to our dues-paying members and contributors … HINT!