Georgia hair braiding rules

Do you need a license to braid hair in Georgia?

No license needed. Braiding by hand needs no license if it is the only service; adding cutting, shampooing, coloring or permanent waving makes the work cosmetology. Below: locs (not stated), hair extensions and sew-ins (no license needed) and wig installs (not stated), each answered from Georgia'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
No license needed
Wig installs
Not stated

Licensed by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.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 Georgia?

No license needed. Braiding by hand needs no license if it is the only service; adding cutting, shampooing, coloring or permanent waving makes the work cosmetology.

License needed
No license needed
Exemption
A person who only braids the hair (by hairweaving, interlocking, twisting, plaiting, wrapping or using fiber extensions) is exempt from the cosmetology chapter, as long as they do no other cosmetologist services.

Georgia is one of 35 states whose official pages exempt hair braiding from licensing.

Locs

Do you need a license to do locs in Georgia?

Not stated. Georgia's official pages we read do not say whether starting and maintaining locs need a license. Ask the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers 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 Georgia?

No license needed. Sew-ins, weaves and synthetic fiber extensions done only as braiding or hairweaving need no license, as long as no other cosmetology services are performed.

License needed
No license needed
Exemption
Sew-ins and weaves done only as hairweaving, or fiber extensions done only as braiding, are exempt if no other cosmetologist services are performed.

Georgia is one of 11 states whose official pages exempt hair extensions and sew-ins from licensing.

Wig installs

Do you need a license to install wigs in Georgia?

Not stated. Georgia's official pages we read do not say whether installing wigs on a client needs a license. Ask the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers before you offer it.

License needed
Not stated

Good to know

What else Georgia asks of braiders

  • Someone who only braids is not subject to the cosmetology and barber chapter.
  • Shampooing, coloring or permanently waving hair falls under the cosmetologist definition, so braiding combined with those services is not exempt.

Sources

What Georgia's official pages say

Each answer above, in the words of Georgia's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 29, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers before you start charging for a service.

Hair braiding
“mean an individual who only braids the hair by hairweaving; interlocking; twisting;”
legis.ga.gov
“synthetic fiber for extensions to the hair, and no such individual shall be subject to the”
legis.ga.gov
Hair extensions and sew-ins
“mean an individual who only braids the hair by hairweaving; interlocking; twisting;”
legis.ga.gov
“synthetic fiber for extensions to the hair, and no such individual shall be subject to the”
legis.ga.gov
Also good to know
“synthetic fiber for extensions to the hair, and no such individual shall be subject to the”
legis.ga.gov
Also good to know
“Singes and shampoos the hair, colors or dyes the hair, or does permanent”
legis.ga.gov

Questions

Georgia hair braiding licenses, answered

Do you need a license to braid hair in Georgia?
No license needed. Braiding by hand needs no license if it is the only service; adding cutting, shampooing, coloring or permanent waving makes the work cosmetology.
Do you need a license to do locs in Georgia?
Not stated. Georgia's official pages we read do not say whether starting and maintaining locs need a license. Ask the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers before you offer them.
Do you need a license to do hair extensions or sew-ins in Georgia?
No license needed. Sew-ins, weaves and synthetic fiber extensions done only as braiding or hairweaving need no license, as long as no other cosmetology services are performed.
Do you need a license to install wigs in Georgia?
Not stated. Georgia's official pages we read do not say whether installing wigs on a client needs a license. Ask the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers before you offer it.
What do you need to open a braiding salon in Georgia?
The license your own work needs (above), and usually a license for the shop itself as a business, unless Georgia exempts braiding entirely. See what Georgia requires to open a salon, with its fees and inspection rules.

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Hair braiding rules in other states

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