If you've had your nails done recently, perhaps you noticed the fumes in the air, or the open blades technicians use on your hands.
Maybe if you're particularly observant, you noticed the lack of licenses hanging from the walls — that's because Utah does not license nail technicians or estheticians, cosmetologists who specialize in skin care.
Although nail technicians may have some schooling or professional experience, there are no state requirements for them to practice, said Leesa Meyers, a nail technician who has spent the past several years trying to get legislation passed that would govern her industry.
HB105, sponsored by Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, would establish state guidelines for licensing of technicians and estheticians. The House Business, Labor and Economic Development Standing committee unanimously advanced the bill to the House floor for debate.
The guidelines would allow technicians licensed in Utah to move to other states and practice. Additionally, it would make prosecuting wayward technicians and estheticians easier.
"Customers assume that the practitioner is licensed," said Fran Brown, the legislative chairwoman for the Utah Cosmetology Beauty Schools Association. "If they had any idea they weren't, they probably wouldn't want that service."
As for the difficulties associated with pitching a cosmetology bill to a Legislature that's more than 75 percent male, Meyers is confident she and her colleagues can get out the message.
"I've never heard of any other profession where you can take a blade to somebody without having a license," Meyers said.
E-mail: kswinyard@desnews.com