How to Apply to IATSE Local 706

The Make-Up Artists Hair Stylists Guild (IATSE Local 706) represents elite professionals across film, television, commercials, streaming, live theater, theme parks, and more.

Our members fall into two primary categories: Roster and Non-Roster, determined by the contracts and production types they work under.

Membership

Roster vs. Non-Roster

Roster Members work in film, television, and streaming under the IATSE Basic Agreement.
Non-Roster Members work theme parks, live theater, network television, commercials, and regional productions under separate agreements.

All classifications are respected and held to the same professional standard of excellence.

Craft Classifications

🎨 Make-Up Artist

Beauty and corrective application.
Character work, period styling.
Application of any facial or body appliances, masks, etc., used in the art of makeup whether made of rubber, plastic, or any other material.
All body makeup. (Except on Network Broadcasting productions, i.e. NBC, CBS, etc.)
Facial hair, bald caps, prosthetics, body makeup.
Wig/toupee application, hair cutting/barbering on male performers.
Hairstyling on Legitimate Theater and Opera productions.

💇 Hair Stylist

Cutting, coloring, styling, and chemical services (For dying and chemical serices, the Producer may have work performed by other persons who are not and shall not be subject to our Contracts.)
Wig procurement, dressing, and application (especially for female performers.)
Period hairstyling and character looks.
Must maintain a valid California Cosmetology License (a Barbing license only does not qualify.)
May apply makeup on Legitimate Theater and Opera productions.

🧵 Wig Maker

Design, ventilating, and construction of wigs, toupees, facial hair, and switches.
Custom fitting and maintenance of lace wigs and hair goods.

Note: A qualifying Artist with only a Barbering License can only join Local 706 as a Makeup Artist and make a Craft Change to Hairstylist once they obtain a Cosmetology License.

🟨 Non-Roster Membership

(Theme Parks, Theater, Commercials, Network TV, Regional)

Non-Roster Membership applies to artists working under contracts outside the Basic Agreement. This includes categories such as Commercials, Network Television, Theater, Theme Parks, and Regional employment (outside Los Angeles County). These members are represented by Local 706 under different collective bargaining agreements and play a critical role in the entertainment industry.

📝 General Requirements

To qualify for Non-Roster membership, individuals must:

Accrue 30 days of union work within a 12-month period.
Be employed by signatory employers to Local 706 contracts.
Provide documentation (pay stubs, crew lists, employer letter.)
Hair Stylists must hold a valid California Cosmetology License.
Make-Up Artists must pass a colorblindness test(for certain categories.)
Schedule an intake appointment with Local 706.

✅ Detailed Non-Roster Classifications Requirements

Television Commercial Make-Up Artist
Must complete 30 days under the AICP agreement with qualifying documentation.
Network Television Make-Up Artist
Must complete 30 days with signatory network television companies; documentation required.
Theatrical Make-Up Artist
Requires 30 days with Local 706 signatory theatrical stage productions.
Regional Make-Up Artist
Requires 30 days with signatory productions outside L.A. County; includes employment priority within a 100-mile radius of domicile city.
Theme Park Make-Up Artist
Must complete 30 days with signatory theme park companies; documentation required.
Network Body Make-Up Artist
Must complete 30 days with signatory network companies; documentation required.
Television Commercial Hair Stylist
Requires 30 days under the AICP agreement and a valid Cosmetology License.
Network Television Hair Stylist
Must complete 30 days with signatory companies and hold a valid Cosmetology License.
Theatrical Hair Stylist
Requires 30 days with Local 706 signatory theatrical productions and a valid Cosmetology License.
Regional Hair Stylist
Must complete 30 days with signatory productions outside L.A. County, hold a valid Cosmetology License, and has priority hiring rights within a 100-mile radius of domicile (with some contractual exceptions.)
Theme Park Hair Stylist
Requires 30 days with signatory companies and a valid Cosmetology License.

📍 Regional Classification

Regional Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists are professionals who:

Live outside Los Angeles County.
Work under Local 706 jurisdiction.
Have priority hiring rights within a 100-mile radius of their domicile city.
Are excluded from employment priority when contractual restrictions apply (e.g., Basic Agreement productions originating in L.A. County.)

Requirements:

30 days of employment with signatory employers.
Documentation required.
Hair Stylists: Valid Cosmetology License.

🟨 Roster Membership

(Film, TV, and Streaming under the Basic Agreement)

Roster status is required to work on productions covered by the IATSE Basic Agreement within Los Angeles County. Entry into the Industry Experience Roster (IER) is managed by Contract Services (CSATF) and can be achieved through several qualifying paths.

✳️ 1. Industry Experience Roster (IER)

"60-60-60 Rule"

Eligibility:

60 non-union days per year.
Across 3 different years.
Within a 5-year period.
All work must take place in Los Angeles County.

Required Documentation:

Crew lists, call sheets, W2s/1099s, and employer verification.

Additional Requirements:

Hair Stylists: Valid CA Cosmetology License.
Make-Up Artists: Must pass a colorblindness test.
Complete CSATTF-required training (e.g., Safety Pass, Harassment Prevention.)
Submit government-issued ID and I-9 Form.

2. Off-Roster Hire / Organized Production

Eligibility:
An individual qualifies for IER status upon completing 30 union days of work from the first day of hire with one or more producers signatory to the Basic Agreement within a 365-day period in Los Angeles County.

Important Requirements:

All benefit contributions must be paid to the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans (MPIPHP) by the employer.
Contributions to any other trust fund (e.g., Local 33) do not qualify for roster placement.

🌟 3. Star Request Waiver

Eligibility:
An individual may qualify for Roster status if hired exclusively at the request of one star and meets either of the following:

(1) Worked 30 total days over 3 separate hires for the same star.
(2) Worked 60 consecutive days on a single production at that star’s request.

Benefit Contributions:
Must be made to the MPIPHP by the producing company to be valid for Roster eligibility. Contributions made to other trust funds will not qualify.

🎯 4. Special Skills Waiver

This waiver allows a producer to hire a non-Roster Make-Up Artist or Hair Stylist with unique skills not available among Roster members.

Conditions:

Roster artists must first be considered and decline the job.
Skills must be demonstrably specialized and not duplicable by any available Roster member.
Waivers are granted to serve specific creative or technical needs.

Note: The Special Skills Waiver is granted on a per-job basis and does not automatically lead to Roster status without the required qualifying days and contributions.

🧑‍🎓 Upgrading to Journeyman

To upgrade from Trainee to Journeyman status:

Complete 120 days of union work within 2 years.
Maintain 2 years of good standing in Local 706.
Complete required CSATF coursework:
- Make-Up Artists: 8 classes.
- Hair Stylists: 7 classes.

🔄 Change of Craft Classification

Members wishing to switch their official craft (e.g., Hair Stylist to Make-Up Artist) must go through an official change-of-classification process:

Change of Classification: Rules & Process

Process: Submit a formal written request to the Local 706 Executive Board.
Approval Required: Change must be approved by the 706 Executive Board before proceeding.
Work Restriction: Once approved, the member may not work under their previous classification for 1 year.
Initiation Fees: Members must pay full initiation fees and dues for the new classification.
- Note: No refunds are issued from the previous classification.
Roster Requirements: Member must re-qualify under Industry Experience Roster (IER) standards for the new classification.
30-Day Rule: A new 30-day qualifying period applies under the new classification.
Penalties:
- First offense for violating the 1-year restriction results in a $250+ fine.
- Subsequent offenses may result in further disciplinary action.

🗓️ Requirements for Day Counting

To ensure your days count toward roster or membership eligibility, all of the following must apply:

Wage: Paid at or above minimum wage for your state/local area (8 hours minimum.)
Payment Method: Must be paid by check — no under-the-table cash jobs.
Credit: Must be officially credited as either a Make-Up Artist or Hair Stylist (cannot split days.)
Location: Work must occur in Los Angeles County or include paid travel, per diem, and housing to/from L.A. County.
Production Type: Work must be presented traditionally (TV broadcast, cable, festival-screened film, etc.). Social media and YouTube-only content do not qualify.

💵 Initiation Fees by Classification (2025)

Film/TV Make-Up Artist - $8,000
Film/TV Hair Stylist - $7,500
Network TV (Make-Up or Hair) - $3,500
Commercial (Make-Up or Hair) - $4,500
Pink Contract (Touring Theater) - $2,500
Theme Park - $600
Regional Membership
- Northern California - $1,350
- Southern California - $850

Payment:

50% due with application.
Remaining 50% due within 6 months.