PBF Scores Victory for Manicurists!
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!
Cracking Down on Booth Rental
BEWARE salon owners and booth renters, alike … regulators are coming after you! This warning is particularly pronounced in California, where we are now seeing the Department of Industrial Affairs and other state and local agencies levying heavy fines (routinely in excess of $20,000!) for misclassifying workers in beauty/barbering establishments. …
Deal or No Deal?
Fighting for California Manicurists As Professional Beauty Federation followers are aware, manicurists in California recently lost their legal right to operate independently as beauty professionals in salons and spas in which they aren’t the establishment owner. While we successfully lobbied in 2019 for our industry’s exemption from the infamous “AB …
California Manicurists May No Longer Be Booth Renters
As of January 1, 2025, California will no longer allow nail salons to have independent booth renters operating in their salons and all manicurists will be classified as employees! This means all nail techs in California will have to be transitioned into W-2 employees, else the establishment owner will face …
Covid Relief Still Available for Self-Employed & Employers!
As anyone who’s been following the Professional Beauty Federation knows, when Covid struck we hit-back on your behalf! If you’re an employer or self-employed pro in any of the 50 states who hasn’t yet claimed Covid-related federal tax credits, you can skip the following background info and go directly to …
Finally Covid $ for Independents/Self-Employed!
Booth/Suite Renter *** Self-Employed hair/skin/nails professional *** Independent Contractor/1099 FINALLY there is Covid Relief $ for you! You’ve probably heard all the adds aimed at employers for “ERC” relief funds. We at the PBF led the way over a year ago in this regard and have successfully been helping thousands of …
Here is My Why. Personal Story from Cancer Survivor Leonie Waite, Hairstylist and Owner of Franzine Beauty, Talking About Living Benefits
My name is Leonie Waite. Here is my why. At the tender age of sixteen, I first realized I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I was always making money finding odd jobs because my mom was a single parent of six kids. I became successful and started making great income …
PBF Now Offers Virtual Healthcare Services
The Professional Beauty Federation (PBF) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with GVC Health Tech and it’s disruptive App product, Give Virtual Care, to offer for the first time to beauty and barbering professionals a turn-key affordable virtual healthcare membership solution that includes unlimited, on-demand, virtual urgent and general …
Introducing Pro Beauty Pay™ – Our Industry’s Merchant Payment Solution
Over the next few weeks, we will be rolling out some exciting new partnerships that pass considerable savings and valuable benefits to our beloved followers. We hope some of these new offerings will be of value to you, as we worked hard to negotiate the best deals for our barbering/beauty …
PBFC Guides Employers to New Federal $$$
Beauty Federation Announces New Service to Help Salons and Beauty Owners with New Government Tax Credit Opportunity Up to $33,000 Per Employee If You Qualify! July 15, 2021 — Sacramento, CA — The Professional Beauty Federation of California is pleased to announce the launch of a turn-key, full services platform …
