Fresh out of high school, Indiana homeschool graduate Abigail Gower seemed on track to swiftly fulfill her dream of launching a career as a cosmetologist (family names changed for privacy).

Her transcripts were more than good enough to earn her acceptance to a cosmetology school in Louisville, Kentucky. Thanks to perfect attendance, she was the first to finish her coursework and graduate, and her achievements as a student landed her a job offer before she was even licensed.

That’s when she ran afoul of bureaucracy at the highest level. The Kentucky Board of Cosmetology refused to allow Abigail to practice her trade because she was homeschooled.

HSLDA intervened on behalf of Abigail, and after several weeks of back-and-forth with officials we were able to persuade the board to reverse its stance.

“Discrimination against homeschooled graduates in the skilled trades is a challenge we deal with all too often,” noted Tj Schmidt, HSLDA senior counsel. “Though our advocacy has opened doors for homeschoolers at major universities and the military, for example, we still find ourselves having to educate officials who regulate careers fields such as cosmetology. Usually, it’s just a matter of explaining homeschool law and why diplomas issued by parents are perfectly legitimate.”

Unexpected Obstacle

When Abigail completed her 11-month cosmetology course in November 2025, she was excited at the prospect of fulfilling a long-term goal. Even before beginning formal training, she’d compiled experience in the field by styling the hair of friends in high school.

“This is genuinely what I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “I love to help people feel good about themselves.”

That’s why Abigail was so taken aback when her application for a cosmetology license in Kentucky was unexpectedly denied. On Christmas Eve, she got a letter of deficiency that said her homeschool diploma was invalid.  

The refusal also perplexed Abigail’s parents, Carroll and Shawn Gower. They tried to reassure their daughter by telling her the board’s decision must be based on a misunderstanding that could be remedied easily.

“We were giving them the benefit of the doubt,” recalled Shawn. “We thought, ‘this is just an oversight.’ ”

Abigail’s parents contacted the Kentucky board in hopes that providing additional information about their daughter’s homeschool program would resolve the conflict. In response, the board insisted they were within their rights to reject Abigail’s diploma, because it had not been issued by the Indiana Department of Education.

Realizing they had reached an impasse, the family contacted HSLDA for help.

“I was in tears,” Carroll said. “It just didn’t make any sense. I had to ask: Why is our daughter being held to a different standard?”

Understanding the Law

Schmidt analyzed the board’s position and found that the board had simply conflated the homeschool laws of the two states. Indiana treats homeschool programs as private schools but, unlike Kentucky, doesn't require parents to file notices or submit documentation to state authorities.

He corresponded with the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology on Abigail’s behalf in January. That message was followed in early February by another letter from Peter Kamakawiwoole, HSLDA director of litigation, addressed directly to the board’s general counsel.

Our attorneys pointed out several salient facts. They affirmed that Abigail had indeed been homeschooled according to Indiana law and included documents from her parents attesting to this. They also cited a recently enacted Indiana law that prohibits discrimination against diplomas issued by a homeschool program.

Kamakawiwoole emphasized that, according to the new law, “a state or local agency or institution of higher education in Indiana may not reject or otherwise treat a person differently based solely on a diploma or credential issued by such a school.”

A Door Opens

After hearing from our attorneys, the board agreed to discuss Abigail’s case at their meeting in late February. The Gower family decided to attend.

The event itself proved something of an ordeal. Abigail and her parents sat through several hours of discussion before her appeal came up for consideration. Then, without offering the family an opportunity to speak, board members voted to grant Abigail her license.

Upon adjournment, Shawn asked the board if some sort of documentation regarding Abigail’s licensure could be issued that night. They agreed, and emailed the graduate confirmation that she was approved to work as a cosmetologist in Kentucky. A printed certificate arrived in the mail soon afterward.

Her Kentucky license allowed Abigail to also obtain her cosmetology license in Indiana. She’s been cutting and styling hair at a nearby salon ever since.

Now that her daughter’s unnecessary struggle has ended, Carroll said she hopes Abigail’s experience means that other homeschool graduates won’t have to face the same aggravation while pursuing cosmetology careers.

Schmidt concurred.

“When we advocate for one family, we’re also advocating for the entire movement,” he said. “That’s why we like to remind members and friends that, when they support HSLDA, one of the additional blessings they receive is knowing they’re helping to defend homeschool freedom everywhere.”