Nevada hair braiding rules

Do you need a license to braid hair in Nevada?

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

Yes, but not a full cosmetology license. Braiding needs a Hair Braider license from the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, unless it is done unpaid on a relative within the sixth degree of consanguinity. Hours and fees for each full license are on the Nevada cosmetology license page.

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

Yes. Locs fall under the state definition of hair braiding, which names locking, so a Hair Braider license applies. Hours and fees for each full license are on the Nevada cosmetology license page.

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

Yes. Sew-in and woven extensions are named in the hair braiding definition, so they need a Hair Braider license; hair weaving is also listed as barbering. Hours and fees for each full license are on the Nevada cosmetology license page.

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

Yes. Fitting, arranging or styling a wig on a client needs a cosmetologist, hair designer or barber license. Hours and fees for each full license are on the Nevada cosmetology license page.

Yes, but not a full cosmetology license. Braiding needs a Hair Braider license from the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, unless it is done unpaid on a relative within the sixth degree of consanguinity. Below: locs (license needed), hair extensions and sew-ins (license needed) and wig installs (license needed), each answered from Nevada'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: License needed
Wig installs: License needed

Licensed by the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology.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 Nevada?

Yes, but not a full cosmetology license. Braiding needs a Hair Braider license from the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, unless it is done unpaid on a relative within the sixth degree of consanguinity.

License needed: License needed
Licenses that allow it: Hair Braider
License for this work alone: Hair Braider
Exemption: Hair braiding on a person related within the sixth degree of consanguinity is exempt from licensing if no compensation is accepted.

Nevada 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 Nevada?

Yes. Locs fall under the state definition of hair braiding, which names locking, so a Hair Braider license applies.

License needed: License needed
Licenses that allow it: Hair Braider
License for this work alone: Hair Braider
Exemption: Hair braiding on a person related within the sixth degree of consanguinity is exempt from licensing if no compensation is accepted.

Nevada 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 Nevada?

Yes. Sew-in and woven extensions are named in the hair braiding definition, so they need a Hair Braider license; hair weaving is also listed as barbering.

License needed: License needed
Licenses that allow it: Hair Braider, Barber
License for this work alone: Hair Braider
Exemption: Hair braiding on a person related within the sixth degree of consanguinity is exempt from licensing if no compensation is accepted.

Nevada is one of 13 states that ask for a license or registration for hair extensions and sew-ins alone rather than a full license.

Wig installs

Do you need a license to install wigs in Nevada?

Yes. Fitting, arranging or styling a wig on a client needs a cosmetologist, hair designer or barber license.

License needed: License needed
Licenses that allow it: Cosmetologist, Hair Designer, Barber
License for this work alone: None

Good to know

What else Nevada asks of braiders

A premises where cosmetology is practiced is a cosmetological establishment.
Hair braiding is one of the occupations included in cosmetology.
The examination fee for a hair braider license is $110 in the administrative code.
After a hairpiece is sold, only a licensed cosmetologist or hair designer may set or style it.

Sources

What Nevada's official pages say

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

Hair braiding: ““Hair braiding” means a natural form of hair manipulation by braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers and hair extensions.”
leg.state.nv.us
““Hair braider” means any person who engages in the practice of hair braiding.”
leg.state.nv.us
“An examination for licensure as a hair braider will include, without limitation, a test on:”
leg.state.nv.us
“A person practicing hair braiding is exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter applicable to hair braiding if the hair braiding is practiced on a person who is related within the sixth degree of consanguinity and the person does not accept compensation for the hair braiding.”
leg.state.nv.us
Locs: ““Hair braiding” means a natural form of hair manipulation by braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers and hair extensions.”
leg.state.nv.us
““Hair braider” means any person who engages in the practice of hair braiding.”
leg.state.nv.us
“An examination for licensure as a hair braider will include, without limitation, a test on:”
leg.state.nv.us
“A person practicing hair braiding is exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter applicable to hair braiding if the hair braiding is practiced on a person who is related within the sixth degree of consanguinity and the person does not accept compensation for the hair braiding.”
leg.state.nv.us
Hair extensions and sew-ins: ““Hair braiding” means a natural form of hair manipulation by braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers and hair extensions.”
leg.state.nv.us
““Hair braider” means any person who engages in the practice of hair braiding.”
leg.state.nv.us
“(a) Shaving or trimming the beard, cutting or trimming the hair, or hair weaving.”
leg.state.nv.us
“An examination for licensure as a hair braider will include, without limitation, a test on:”
leg.state.nv.us
“A person practicing hair braiding is exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter applicable to hair braiding if the hair braiding is practiced on a person who is related within the sixth degree of consanguinity and the person does not accept compensation for the hair braiding.”
leg.state.nv.us
Wig installs: “(e) Arranging, fitting, cutting, styling, cleaning, coloring or dyeing a hairpiece or wig, whether made of human hair or synthetic material.”
leg.state.nv.us
“After the sale, the hairpiece may only be set or styled by a licensed cosmetologist or hair designer.”
leg.state.nv.us
Also good to know: ““Cosmetological establishment” means any premises, mobile unit, building or part of a building where cosmetology is practiced.”
leg.state.nv.us
Also good to know: ““Cosmetology” includes the occupations of a cosmetologist, esthetician, advanced esthetician, electrologist, hair designer, shampoo technologist, hair braider and nail technologist.”
leg.state.nv.us
Also good to know: “For examination as a hair braider, $110.”
leg.state.nv.us
Also good to know: “After the sale, the hairpiece may only be set or styled by a licensed cosmetologist or hair designer.”
leg.state.nv.us