Membership
1904
PBA predecessor, Beauty and Barber Supply Institute Inc. (BBSI) founded with 47 members, all men
1921
NCA predecessor, National Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (NHCA) was founded. Membership included beauty salon owners and annual dues ranged from $1 - $2
1924
NHCA founder and President C.W. Godefroy establishes contacts on Capitol Hill to track legislation affecting the beauty industry
1941
Loosing workers to higher-paying federal munitions jobs and concerns over dwindling material supplies as a result of the US war effort is hot topic of the 1941 BBSI annual meeting
1951
With support from beauty product manufacturers, NHCA efforts lead to the removal of a 20% tax imposed on cosmetics used professionally
1955
NHCA founds first Disaster Relief Fund, raising more than $6,000 for its members after major flooding in several northeastern states
1960
NHCA joins OHFC (predecessor organization to Organisation Mondiale Coiffure) as US representative
From Left to Right: Louis Schmidt, William Sneden, Peggy White, Mamie Scott, Buddy Walton, Leo Passage
1986
A Texas esthetics organization suggested NHCA change its name to exclude the word "Hairdressers" to encourage estheticians to join the association.
The National Cosmetology Association was born.
1989
Look Good… Feel Better founded by the Cosmetics, Toiletry & Fragrance Association and partners with the American Cancer Society and NCA to implement training program for stylists
1995
The Salon Association (TSA) is created as a branch of BBSI to complement its programs and services and to serve the interests of salon owners
1999
BBSI acquires the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) from Modern Salon Media
Hair by 2009 Salon Team Entrant GLAM Salon Boutique
International Cosmetology Expo, now the International Salon and Spa Expo, makes its debut in Los Angeles
Volunteer BBSI member salon professionals converge on Capitol Hill for the first Welcome to Our World event
2003
BBSI and (IFI) partner to bring Cosmoprof North America 2003 to the industry
2004
CUT IT OUT / Salons Against Domestic Abuse awareness program founded
2005
American Beauty Association (ABA), The Salon Association (TSA), and Beauty and Barber Supply Institute Inc. (BBSI) merge to form the Professional Beauty Association (PBA)
2010
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) merges with the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) to become the largest trade association dedicated to the ENTIRE beauty industry
Not yet a member of PBA | NCA?
Learn about the many benefits of membership. Or select Join or Renew Now to complete the membership application.
What PBA | NCA does...
Business Tools
- creates business blueprints adaptable for your business (non-competes, manuals and more)
- provides discounts on targeted products and services
- connects you to business solutions
- researches the industry to help you assess your business
Government Advocacy
- holds 70+ face-to-face meetings on Capitol Hill
- sponsors tip-tax legislation worth $6 billion to the industry
- distributes guidelines on disinfecting pedicure equipment and nail product safety
- gives Congress a makeover-and a crash course on our industry's legislative issues
- provides platform to address issues such as diversion
Networking
- facilitates peer-to-peer solution sharing on the email listserves
- creates events that celebrate and connect the industry
- provides access to industry leaders and up-and-comers
- fosters regional networking groups
- connects top cosmetology students to salon owners through Beacon
And More
- produces trade shows to build your business
- lifts standards and expectations
- tells the world why professional is best
PBA | NCA Sections
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is made up of salons and spas, distributors and manufacturers dedicated to improving their individual businesses and the industry as a whole.
Salon / Spa
PBA is dedicated to helping salon/spa owners and managers from across the globe face the business issues important to them in today's competitive economic environment. Beauty salons, nail salons, chain salons, barber shops, and spas and day spas that employ a minimum of three licensed employees are eligible to join the PBA Salon/Spa Section. Membership in PBA's Salon/Spa Section is a corporate membership: All employees of member companies are encouraged to participate.
Salon/spa members benefit from:
Free or discounted pricing on and entrance fees and tuitions to PBA's signature events, including PBA Symposium and the International Salon and Spa Expo Long Beach and Midwest, as well as specialized webinars and teleconferences throughout the year.
Members have access to a wealth of industry knowledge through connections made in PBA's regional networking groups and on the PBA listserve.
A library of valuable business blueprints helps member salons and spas tackle issues such as recruiting, retention and much more.
PBA partners with a select group of companies to bring its members valuable savings on the services they need most in their businesses.
PBA works hard to represent the interests of salon and spa owners on Capitol Hill.
Professionals (NCA section)
PBA is committed to supporting beauty professionals as they progress in their careers while striking a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. Any beauty professional, whether working for a salon/spa or as an independent contractor, is eligible to join PBA's Beauty Professional Section. Currently enrolled cosmetology students are also welcome to join this section.
Beauty professional members benefit from:
Access to resources to enhance their careers, including discounts at many of the best-known advanced academies; scholarships; access to internationally recognized CIDESCO certification and educational programs; and opportunities to compete in the international Organisation Mondiale Coiffure bi-annual competition.
Some benefits include complimentary subscriptions to American Salon Magazine, NCA Now, PBA Progress and The Washington Update and discounts to other industry and consumer publications; discounts at Sally Beauty Supply; 10% discount on T-Mobile service charges; savings at FedEx Kinkos; major medical and liability insurance through Abbey Insurance Services; and quality dental coverage through DentalPlans.com.
PBA works hard to represent the interests of salon and spa professionals. Members are encouraged to get involved in PBA's efforts to make a difference for the entire industry.
PBA produces and partners with events and educational opportunities throughout the year. Members receive free admission to the International Salon and Spa Expo Long Beach and Midwest, IBS New York and Las Vegas, IECSC New York and Las Vegas, and INsalon St. Paul. Discounted member pricing is offered for tuition to PBA Symposium, entrance fees and tickets to the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) and the Legends & Icons Gala.
Manufacturers
PBA is a business partner for industry manufacturers and tirelessly works to assist member companies elevate their business and the professional lives of their employees. Companies that produce beauty products for sale to wholesalers, distributors and/or salons make up the manufacturer section of PBA. Manufacturer representatives are also eligible for membership in this section. Membership in PBA's Manufacturer Section is a corporate membership: All employees of member companies are encouraged to participate.
Manufacturer members benefit from:
Free tickets and discounted member pricing on entrance fees and tuitions, sponsorship and advertising discounts, preferred booth placement, special invitations and more at PBA signature events and partner events, such as Cosmoprof North America and others.
Connect with professionals from across the industry with PBA networking events and the PBA Listserve.
PBA saves member businesses time and money with customized business documents. Members stay in the know with complimentary subscriptions to PBA Progress , the official magazine for PBA members and The Washington Update.
Members receive discounted pricing on valuable industry research, such as the Business of Beauty: Maximize Your Profitability report, plus a host of complimentary reports such as the National Salon/Spa Industry Tracking Survey, Salon/Spa Performance Index (SSPI), Manufacturer Market Shipment Study, National Salon/Spa Industry Profile and much more.
PBA partners with a select group of companies to bring members valuable savings on the services they need most in their businesses.
Strong government advocates representing the interests of the professional beauty industry on both the state and national levels.
Distributors
PBA is a business partner for industry distributors and diligently works to assist member companies increase sales and status in the industry. Companies whose primary business is purchasing salon, spa, beauty, and barber products and reselling them at wholesale to beauty salons, barbershops, and cosmetologists, and companies that sell over-the-counter beauty products, are eligible to join the PBA Distributor Section. Membership in PBA's Distributor Section is a corporate membership: All employees of member companies are encouraged to participate.
Distributor members benefit from:
Free and discounted admission, sponsorship and advertising discounts, preferred booth placement, special invitations and more at PBA programs and events.
Members connect with like-minded industry peers as well as professionals from across all sectors of the industry through PBA networking events and the PBA Listserve.
PBA saves members time and money with customized business documents. Members stay in the know with complimentary subscriptions to PBA Progress, the official magazine for PBA members and The Washington Update.
Members receive discounted pricing on valuable industry research, such as the Business of Beauty: Maximize Your Profitability report, plus a host of complimentary reports such as the Distributor Benchmarking Survey, National Salon/Spa Industry Tracking Survey, Salon/Spa Performance Index (SSPI), Manufacturer Market Shipment Study, National Salon/Spa Industry Profile and much more.
PBA partners with a select group of companies to bring members valuable savings on the services they need most in their businesses.
Strong government advocates representing the interests of the professional beauty industry on both the state and national levels.
Leadership Councils
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) has four Leadership Councils and a Board of Directors. Each council is made up of dedicated members who have taken an active role in the association. There is a leadership council for each membership section:
Board Of Directors
The Board of Directors is made up of three representatives from each of the membership sections. The Board of Directors handles budgeting, endorsement of legislation, strategic planning and other industry-wide issues.
Beauty Professional
PBA's beauty professional section is dedicated to helping licensed cosmetologists strike a healthy work/life balance.Members enjoy resources to inspire creativity and career development and have access to educational events and trade shows to hone their professional skills and business knowledge.
Distributor
PBA's distributor section represents companies whose primary business is purchasing salon, spa, beauty and barber products and reselling those products at wholesale to beauty salons, barbershops and cosmetologists. This section also includes companies that sell beauty products over-the-counter.
Manufacturer
Companies that produce beauty products for sale to wholesalers, distributors and/or salons make up the manufacturer section of PBA. Sales representatives are also eligible for membership in this section. Council members in the manufacturer section participate in and help lead initiatives in PBA led research and other initiative and participate in industry events.
Salons / Spas
PBA's salon/spa section is dedicated to the business issues faced by owners and managers at top salons and spas. Members benefit from PBA's advanced business education and connect with other members through networking groups and the listserve. PBA represents salon/spa owner interests on Capitol Hill and supplies them with valuable business blueprints.
