Florida hair braiding rules
Do you need a license to braid hair in Florida?
No license needed. Braiding for pay needs no Florida license or registration if it involves no cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, removing or chemical treatment. Below: locs (not stated), hair extensions and sew-ins (not stated) and wig installs (not stated), each answered from Florida's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 29, 2026, with the state's own words.
- Braiding
- No license needed
- Locs
- Not stated
- Extensions
- Not stated
- Wig installs
- Not stated
Licensed by DBPR.The board's site Hours and fees for each licenseThe state's own words
Hair braiding
Do you need a license to braid hair in Florida?
No license needed. Braiding for pay needs no Florida license or registration if it involves no cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, removing or chemical treatment.
- License needed
- No license needed
- Exemption
- A license or registration is not required for work confined solely to hair braiding, with no cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, removing or chemical treatment.
Florida is one of 35 states whose official pages exempt hair braiding from licensing.
Locs
Do you need a license to do locs in Florida?
Not stated. Florida's official pages we read do not say whether starting and maintaining locs need a license. Ask DBPR before you offer them.
- License needed
- Not stated
Hair extensions and sew-ins
Do you need a license to do hair extensions or sew-ins in Florida?
Not stated. Florida's official pages we read do not say whether hair extensions and sew-ins need a license. Ask DBPR before you offer them.
- License needed
- Not stated
- Exemption
- Weaving or interweaving extensions or wefts counts as braiding and is exempt if no cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, removing or chemical treatment is done.
Wig installs
Do you need a license to install wigs in Florida?
Not stated. Florida's official pages we read do not say whether installing wigs on a client needs a license. Ask DBPR before you offer it.
- License needed
- Not stated
Good to know
What else Florida asks of braiders
- The Board of Cosmetology says braiding licensure requirements were removed effective July 1, 2020.
- Only a licensed cosmetologist may practice cosmetology or use the title cosmetologist.
- A cosmetology license is required for drying or styling hair, and for rinsing or any work with other chemicals in the hair.
Sources
What Florida's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Florida's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 29, 2026. Rules change: confirm with DBPR before you start charging for a service.
- Hair braiding
“A license or registration is not required for a person whose occupation or practice is confined solely to hair braiding as defined in s. 477.013(9).”
leg.state.fl.us “House Bill 1193, as passed by the Florida Legislature in the 2020 Regular Session, removes the licensure requirements for hair braiding, hair wrapping, and body wrapping individuals.”
myfloridalicense.com “means the weaving or interweaving of natural human hair or commercial hair, including the use of hair extensions or wefts, for compensation without cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, removing, or chemical treatment.”
leg.state.fl.us - Hair extensions and sew-ins
“means the weaving or interweaving of natural human hair or commercial hair, including the use of hair extensions or wefts, for compensation without cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, removing, or chemical treatment.”
leg.state.fl.us - Also good to know
“Effective July 1, 2020, the bill removes all licensure requirements for hair braiding, hair wrapping, and body wrapping individuals.”
myfloridalicense.com - Also good to know
“No person other than a duly licensed cosmetologist shall practice cosmetology or use the name or title of cosmetologist.”
leg.state.fl.us - Also good to know
“A license is not required to perform hair shampooing, but to rinse or do any work involving other chemicals in the hair, drying or styling of the hair, a cosmetology license is required.”
myfloridalicense.com
Questions
Florida hair braiding licenses, answered
Do you need a license to braid hair in Florida?
Do you need a license to do locs in Florida?
Do you need a license to do hair extensions or sew-ins in Florida?
Do you need a license to install wigs in Florida?
What do you need to open a braiding salon in Florida?
Plan the rest
Ready to fill your book
- Hours, exams and fees for each Florida cosmetology and barber license
- What Florida requires to open a salon or shop of your own
- What Florida inspectors check in a salon
- Renewing a Florida cosmetology or barber license
- Renting a chair or a suite? Start from a booth rental agreement
- A deposit and cancellation policy for long appointments
Hair braiding rules in other states
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