School offered non-approved cosmetology programs, failed to provide instruction
SACRAMENTO—The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (Bureau) have revoked the approval to operate for Milpitas Massage College, a private postsecondary massage and cosmetology school located in Milpitas, CA.
The revocation, effective May 12, 2023, comes after a joint investigation conducted by the Board and Bureau that revealed the school was engaging in fraudulent activity related to cosmetology courses. Causes for discipline included falsifying records to award clock hours to students for training they did not receive, failing to provide instruction and adequate facilities and equipment, and enrolling students into programs it was not authorized to offer. Details of the investigation are available in the Accusation, filed by the Bureau in February 2023.
“The Board takes very seriously the allegations of schools selling hours and misleading future licensees,” said Kristy Underwood, executive officer of the Board. “We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of California consumers, who deserve to be serviced by well-trained, highly qualified and licensed individuals.”
“This is a prime example of the Bureau’s collaboration with other regulatory agencies, including several other state boards and bureaus, to investigate and address allegations of fraud at for-profit colleges,” said Deborah Cochrane, chief of the Bureau. “By working together, we built a strong case and took swift action to protect students from fraud and California consumers from being serviced by unqualified individuals.”
In addition to regulating private postsecondary educational institutions, the Bureau assists students through its Student Tuition Recovery Fund, provides guidance to students considering loan discharges or future postsecondary education, and helps them obtain transcripts. Students who have questions or need additional information can call the Bureau’s Office of Student Assistance and Relief toll-free at (888) 370-7589, option #5, or visit osar.bppe.ca.gov.
ABOUT THE BOARD OF BARBERING AND COSMETOLOGY: The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology regulates cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, estheticians, electrologists, and apprentices who provide services as well as the establishments where these services are performed. The Board also provides education to consumers and licensees on the potential dangers that face consumers while receiving these services. Learn more at http://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov.
ABOUT THE BUREAU FOR PRIVATE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION: The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education promotes and protects the interests of students and consumers through the effective and efficient oversight of California’s private postsecondary educational institutions. Learn more at http://www.bppe.ca.gov
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS: The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) protects consumers through oversight, enforcement, and licensure of professions, and helps consumers learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals. Consumers can verify a license and file a complaint against a licensee online at http://www.dca.ca.gov or by phone at (800) 952-5210.
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