AACS Disapproves of New Federal Rule ‘Jeopardizing’ Beauty Schools

The American Association of Career Schools (AACS) is calling on stakeholders to submit comments opposing a new rule that could potentially threaten the closure of 92% of accredited beauty, barber and wellness schools nationwide.

AACS is encouraging stakeholders to submit comments urging the Department of Education (DOE) to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as Congress intended.

The DOE — which opened a 30-day public comment period for its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on accountability measures — must receive comments by today, May 20, 2026.

“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.”

Accounting for Industry Realities

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. Furthermore, 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 AACS says 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 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.”