Mississippi Hair Braiding Schools and Licenses

Mississippi requires no hair braider's license or extensive hair braiding classes. Instead, you simply need to take a self-test, pay a $25 fee, and register as a hair braider with the state. However, hair braiders are limited in what they're allowed to do. Most "expected" hair services beyond braiding require a cosmetology license.

Here, we'll go into more depth about becoming a hair braider in Mississippi, when to consider cosmetology school or braiding classes, and how much this career pays.

Browse our directory of hair braiding schools in Mississippi, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair braiding licensing requirements and job outlook.

What Can Hair Braiders in Mississippi Do?

Mississippi hair braiders can use their hands or tools to perform services that use tension on clients' existing roots or strands to create styles. These services may include but aren't necessarily limited to:

• Braiding
• Extending
• Locking
• Twisting
• Weaving
• Wrapping

While some states without licenses require braiders to work for themselves, Mississippi allows hair braiders to work in salons.

However, as a hair braider, you can't provide treatments that could affect natural hair in a permanent or semi-permanent way. You need a cosmetology license to offer these services.

Mississippi Hair Braider Test

Instead of going to hair braiding school and getting a natural hair license, Mississippi braiders must take a self-test. This test covers infection control, an essential part of any beauty career. After all, you're working with a sensitive area of the body—one that gets bonked or scratched easily!—and diseases can occur if not handled carefully.

Contact the Mississippi State Department of Health, not cosmetology, to get your brochure that includes the test. You must keep your completed test and brochure at your workstation. If inspectors drop by, they will ask to see them.

When to Go to Mississippi Hair Braiding School or Cosmetology School

Though you don't have to attend a beauty program to work as a hair braider in Mississippi, you may want to attend school to expand or perfect your skills.

States that don't require hair braiding school and licensure operate under the assumption that people who want to braid have gotten informal training in their homes. However, this may not apply to everyone. Or, if this does apply to you, you may feel like there are areas you could use some extra help in. That's where hair braiding school would come in.

Hair braiding school programs in states that don't need licensure may be comprehensive or focus on individual skills. They can operate independently or in cosmetology schools. Most result in certification, which you can display at your job and include on your resume.

Cosmetology school is necessary if you want to provide haircuts or services like dyeing, bleaching, perming, or chemical straightening. These programs run for 1,500 hours, and you must pass two tests before getting your license. Mississippi cosmetology schools must include braiding in their curriculums, unlike many other states.

READ MORE: Learn More About Mississippi Cosmetology Schools

Mississippi Hair Braider Salary

ZipRecruiter reported in December 2023 that work-from-home hair braiders in Mississippi averaged $43,783 per year ($21.05 per hour). However, this only considers those who work from home, and braiders in the state can work in salons.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that as of May 2022, Mississippi hairdressers, stylists, and cosmetologists averaged $29,690 ($14.27 per hour). But this is limited because it doesn't strictly apply to braiders—if at all—and only considers those who work for others.

Further, location, type of workplace, years of experience, specialties, certifications, and licenses can affect how much you can earn.

So, the best way to find out how much you could earn is to talk to other hair braiders in your area!

Contact the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology

Mississippi boasts a solid network of hair stylist professionals with diverse talents to better serve their customers. The stability of the industry allows for newer trends to emerge like hair braiding. Interested parties consult these groups to learn more.

American Association of Cosmetology Schools
Intercoiffure