AB-504 • 2026

Worker classification: employees and independent contractors: licensed manicurists.

Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Ta
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how and when the change will take effect after January 1, 2025.

Worker Classification for Manicurists

AB-504 removes the January 1, 2025 deadline that would have ended an exception allowing licensed manicurists to use a different test (the multifactor test) instead of the ABC test to determine their employment status.

What This Bill Does

Removes the January 1, 2025 deadline for when licensed manicurists can be treated differently from other workers under employment laws.

Who It Names or Affects

Licensed manicurists who provide services in California.
Businesses that hire licensed manicurists.

Terms To Know

ABC test: A set of rules used to decide if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.
Multifactor test: A different set of rules that can be used instead of the ABC test for certain workers, like licensed manicurists.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how or when the change will take effect.
It is unclear what specific conditions licensed manicurists must meet to use the multifactor test.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on L. & E.
2025-02-11 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.
2025-02-10 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 504, as introduced, Ta.
Worker classification: employees and independent contractors: licensed manicurists.
Existing law requires a 3-part test, commonly known as the “ABC” test, to determine if workers are employees or independent contractors for purposes of the Labor Code, the Unemployment Insurance Code, and the wage orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission. Under the ABC test, a person providing labor or services for remuneration is considered an employee rather than an independent contractor unless the hiring entity demonstrates that the person is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, the person performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business, and the person is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business. Existing law charges the Labor Commissioner with the enforcement of labor laws, including worker classification.
Existing law exempts specified occupations and business relationships from the application of the ABC test described above. Existing law, instead, provides that these exempt relationships are governed by the multifactor test previously adopted in the case of S. G. Borello & Sons, Inc. v. Department of Industrial Relations (1989) 48 Cal.3d 341. These exemptions include services provided by a licensed manicurist, subject to the manicurist meeting specified conditions. Existing law makes this exemption for licensed manicurists inoperative on January 1, 2025.
This bill would delete the January 1, 2025, inoperative date, thereby making licensed manicurists subject to this exemption indefinitely.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF