Missouri hair braiding rules

Do you need a license to braid hair in Missouri?

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

Yes, but not a full cosmetology license. Braiding for pay needs a Hair Braider registration (Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding), or a cosmetology or barber license. The Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding license takes $20 in state fees. Hours and fees for each full license are on the Missouri cosmetology license page.

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

Yes. Starting or maintaining locs for pay falls under Missouri's hair braiding definition, which names locking, so it needs the Hair Braider registration or a cosmetology or barber license. The Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding license takes $20 in state fees. Hours and fees for each full license are on the Missouri cosmetology license page.

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

Not stated. Missouri's official pages we read do not say whether hair extensions and sew-ins need a license. Ask the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before you offer them.

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

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

Yes, but not a full cosmetology license. Braiding for pay needs a Hair Braider registration (Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding), or a cosmetology or barber license. The Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding license takes $20 in state fees. Below: locs (license needed), hair extensions and sew-ins (not stated) and wig installs (not stated), each answered from Missouri's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 29, 2026, with the state's own words.

Braiding: Braiding license
Locs: License needed
Extensions: Not stated
Wig installs: Not stated

Licensed by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.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 Missouri?

Yes, but not a full cosmetology license. Braiding for pay needs a Hair Braider registration (Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding), or a cosmetology or barber license. The Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding license takes $20 in state fees.

License needed: License needed
Licenses that allow it: Hair Braider, Cosmetologist, Barber
License for this work alone: Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding, $20
Exemption: Licensed cosmetologists may braid without a hair braider registration.

Missouri is one of 16 states that ask for a license or registration for hair braiding alone rather than a full license.

Locs

Do you need a license to do locs in Missouri?

Yes. Starting or maintaining locs for pay falls under Missouri's hair braiding definition, which names locking, so it needs the Hair Braider registration or a cosmetology or barber license. The Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding license takes $20 in state fees.

License needed: License needed
Licenses that allow it: Hair Braider, Cosmetologist, Barber
License for this work alone: Certificate of Registration for Hair Braiding, $20
Exemption: Licensed cosmetologists may braid without a hair braider registration.

Missouri is one of 13 states that ask for a license or registration for starting and maintaining locs alone rather than a full license.

Hair extensions and sew-ins

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

Not stated. Missouri's official pages we read do not say whether hair extensions and sew-ins need a license. Ask the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before you offer them.

License needed: Not stated

Wig installs

Do you need a license to install wigs in Missouri?

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

License needed: Not stated

Good to know

What else Missouri asks of braiders

Before receiving a hair braider certificate, an applicant must watch the board's instructional video on infection control and scalp diseases.
A registered hair braider must post the certificate at their place of business, or give a copy to the client on request when working elsewhere.
A registered hair braider must keep the information the board requires for registration current with the board.
The board may suspend or revoke a hair braider registration if the holder works outside the scope of hair braiding.

Sources

What Missouri's official pages say

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

Hair braiding: “No person shall engage in hair braiding for compensation in the state of Missouri without first registering with the board.”
revisor.mo.gov
“The practices of cosmetology and barbering shall not include hair braiding, except that, nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a licensed cosmetologist or barber from performing the service of hair braiding.”
revisor.mo.gov
“Any person who registers as a hair braider under this section shall post a copy of his or her certificate of registration in a conspicuous place at his or her place of business.”
revisor.mo.gov
“(F) Certificate of Registration (Hair Braiding) $ 20”
sos.mo.gov
“The board shall develop and prepare an instructional video, at least four hours but no more than six hours in length, that contains information about infection control techniques and diseases of the scalp”
revisor.mo.gov
“Nothing in this section shall apply to any cosmetologists licensed to practice in this state in their respective classifications.”
revisor.mo.gov
Locs: “in accordance with the requirements of section 329.275 , the use of techniques that result in tension on hair strands or roots by twisting, wrapping, waving, extending, locking, or braiding of the hair by hand or mechanical device”
revisor.mo.gov
“The practices of cosmetology and barbering shall not include hair braiding, except that, nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a licensed cosmetologist or barber from performing the service of hair braiding.”
revisor.mo.gov
“Any person who registers as a hair braider under this section shall post a copy of his or her certificate of registration in a conspicuous place at his or her place of business.”
revisor.mo.gov
“(F) Certificate of Registration (Hair Braiding) $ 20”
sos.mo.gov
“The board shall develop and prepare an instructional video, at least four hours but no more than six hours in length, that contains information about infection control techniques and diseases of the scalp”
revisor.mo.gov
“Nothing in this section shall apply to any cosmetologists licensed to practice in this state in their respective classifications.”
revisor.mo.gov
Also good to know: “Prior to receiving a certificate, each applicant shall also watch an instructional video prepared by the board in accordance with subsection 4 of this section.”
revisor.mo.gov
Also good to know: “Any person who registers as a hair braider under this section shall post a copy of his or her certificate of registration in a conspicuous place at his or her place of business.”
revisor.mo.gov
Also good to know: “Registered hair braiders shall keep their information that the board requires for initial registration current and up to date with the board.”
revisor.mo.gov
Also good to know: “In addition to the causes listed in section 329.140 , the board may also suspend or revoke a certificate of registration if a person registered as a hair braider is found to be operating outside the scope of practice of hair braiding.”
revisor.mo.gov