Houston Beauty School Fined a Record $250,000 and Forever Closed
Cosmetology License Factory Shut Down, 45 Others Sought in Investigation

For Immediate Release
October 22, 2007
Contact: Michael Fickel
512-463-3208

AUSTIN - A hub for fraudulent activity on a national scale was broken in June 2006 and has resulted today in an unprecedented fine of $250,000, several license revocations, and an ever-widening investigation of at least 45 individuals across the nation who may have obtained cosmetology licenses by illegal means.

Today, while announcing the signing of an agreed order with Victorian Beauty College and its operators, William Kuntz, Jr., Executive Director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said, “This record penalty is a warning to the unscrupulous.  Texas will not tolerate the fraudulent sale of hours or cheating on exams.  We are vigilant in our search for those who would defraud the state and endanger the citizens, and we will prosecute fully to protect Texans and restore  the value of a Texas Cosmetology license.”

Victorian Beauty College in Houston was known across the country as a place where an individual could purchase a Texas Cosmetology license without attending the required school training. “Students” could even pay to have someone else take the licensing examinations for them. 

These violations of Texas law have nationwide implications.  Students with addresses in at least 25 states were enrolled at Victorian Beauty College, and it is believed that many of them had no intention of practicing as a licensed Cosmetologist in Texas.  Since the licensing requirements are more strict in Texas, many other states will issue licenses to applicants who have that Texas license without requiring further testing or education.

“The educational and testing requirements are in place to ensure that licensed cosmetolgists have the requisite knowledge to conduct their business in a safe and professional manner.  When educators or applicants scam the system, that protection  evaporates and it devalues all cosmetology licenses.  That will not be tolerated,” said Kuntz. 

Finally, VBC and its operators have signed an agreed order to pay a fine of $250,000, relinquish all licenses held by the operators, and furnish information about no less than 45 clients across the U.S. who obtained class hours or had examinations taken for them by VBC personnel. Additionally, VBC’s operators have agreed to refrain forever from practicing cosmetology, cosmetology training, or any related occupation.

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