Massachusetts hair braiding rules

Do you need a license to braid hair in Massachusetts?

Q: Do you need a license to braid hair in Massachusetts?

No license needed. Braiding is exempt from the state cosmetology and barber board's rules, so no cosmetology or barber license is required for it.

Q: Do you need a license to do locs in Massachusetts?

No license needed. Starting and maintaining locs (locking) falls under the exempt natural hair braiding definition, so no cosmetology or barber license is required under state law.

Q: Do you need a license to do hair extensions or sew-ins in Massachusetts?

No license needed. Sew-ins and other weaving or extending of hair fall under the exempt natural hair braiding definition; glued, bonded and tape-in methods are not named in the statute.

Q: Do you need a license to install wigs in Massachusetts?

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

No license needed. Braiding is exempt from the state cosmetology and barber board's rules, so no cosmetology or barber license is required for it. Below: locs (no license needed), hair extensions and sew-ins (no license needed) and wig installs (not stated), each answered from Massachusetts's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 29, 2026, with the state's own words.

Braiding: No license needed
Locs: No license needed
Extensions: No license needed
Wig installs: Not stated

Licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering.The board's site Hours and fees for each license The state's own words

Hair braiding

Do you need a license to braid hair in Massachusetts?

No license needed. Braiding is exempt from the state cosmetology and barber board's rules, so no cosmetology or barber license is required for it.

License needed: No license needed
Exemption: Natural hair braiding is exempt from the rules and regulations issued by the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering, and the statute's definition of hairdressing excludes it.

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

Locs

Do you need a license to do locs in Massachusetts?

No license needed. Starting and maintaining locs (locking) falls under the exempt natural hair braiding definition, so no cosmetology or barber license is required under state law.

License needed: No license needed
Exemption: Locking is part of the defined natural hair braiding, which is exempt from the board's rules and regulations.

Massachusetts is one of 25 states whose official pages exempt starting and maintaining locs from licensing.

Hair extensions and sew-ins

Do you need a license to do hair extensions or sew-ins in Massachusetts?

No license needed. Sew-ins and other weaving or extending of hair fall under the exempt natural hair braiding definition; glued, bonded and tape-in methods are not named in the statute.

License needed: No license needed
Exemption: Weaving and extending are part of the defined natural hair braiding, which is exempt from the board's rules and regulations; glued, bonded and tape-in methods are not named.

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?

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

License needed: Not stated

Good to know

What else Massachusetts asks of braiders

Cutting the hair is part of barbering, which is a licensed practice under state law.
Hairdressing, the cosmetology practice covering general hair treatment, excludes natural hair braiding.
The board that the braiding exemption refers to is the cosmetology board together with the barbers board.

Sources

What Massachusetts's official pages say

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

Hair braiding: “Natural hair braiding shall be exempt from the rules and regulations issued by the board.”
malegislature.gov
“''Natural hair braiding'', twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding the hair of any person either by hand or with a mechanical device.”
malegislature.gov
“provided further, that ''hairdressing'' shall not include natural hair braiding.”
malegislature.gov
Locs: “''Natural hair braiding'', twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding the hair of any person either by hand or with a mechanical device.”
malegislature.gov
“Natural hair braiding shall be exempt from the rules and regulations issued by the board.”
malegislature.gov
Hair extensions and sew-ins: “''Natural hair braiding'', twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding the hair of any person either by hand or with a mechanical device.”
malegislature.gov
“Natural hair braiding shall be exempt from the rules and regulations issued by the board.”
malegislature.gov
Also good to know: “''Barbering'', shaving or trimming the beard, cutting the hair, giving facial and scalp massages”
malegislature.gov
Also good to know: “provided further, that ''hairdressing'' shall not include natural hair braiding.”
malegislature.gov
Also good to know: “''Board'', the board of registration of cosmetology established by section 42 of chapter 13 and the board of registration of barbers”
malegislature.gov