Oregon hair braiding rules
Do you need a license to braid hair in Oregon?
Yes, but not a full cosmetology license. Braiding needs a Natural Hair Care certification, or a hair design or barbering certification. Below: locs (license needed), hair extensions and sew-ins (license needed) and wig installs (not stated), each answered from Oregon'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
- Not stated
Licensed by the Oregon Health Licensing Office.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 Oregon?
Yes, but not a full cosmetology license. Braiding needs a Natural Hair Care certification, or a hair design or barbering certification.
- License needed
- License needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Natural Hair Care, Hair Design, Barbering
- License for this work alone
- Natural Hair Care certification
- Exemption
- Braiding is exempt only when done for the sole purpose of preparing a person for a professional photograph and no product that alters the keratin is used.
Oregon 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 Oregon?
Yes. Starting and maintaining locs (locking) needs a Natural Hair Care certification, or a hair design or barbering certification.
- License needed
- License needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Natural Hair Care, Hair Design, Barbering
- License for this work alone
- Natural Hair Care certification
Oregon 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 Oregon?
Yes. Sewn-in weaves and hair extensions need a Natural Hair Care certification, or a hair design or barbering certification; the natural hair care definition does not include chemical hair joining agents.
- License needed
- License needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Natural Hair Care, Hair Design, Barbering
- License for this work alone
- Natural Hair Care certification
Oregon 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 Oregon?
Not stated. Oregon's official pages we read do not say whether installing wigs on a client needs a license. Ask the Oregon Health Licensing Office before you offer it.
- License needed
- Not stated
Good to know
What else Oregon asks of braiders
- Natural Hair Care certification requires proof of completing the natural hair care training module, an application, two forms of ID and a written exam.
- The natural hair care training module covers licensing and certification, practice standards, facility standards, chemical storage and hair characteristics.
- Certification must be renewed every two years, before the inactive date.
- Operating a business that provides these services requires a facility license.
Sources
What Oregon's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Oregon's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 29, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the Oregon Health Licensing Office before you start charging for a service.
- Hair braiding
“"Natural hair care" means the braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping of human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers or hair extensions through the use of hands or simple devices such as clips, combs, hairpins or needle and thread.”
oregon.gov “(a) Perform or attempt to perform services in a field of practice without an active authorization.”
oregon.gov “To get certified in Natural Hair Care, applicants must:”
oregon.gov “A person who is certified to practice hair design or barbering under this section is authorized to”
oregon.gov “Bring proof of having completed the natural hair care training module.”
oregon.gov “(g) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, persons applying temporary makeup, combing hair,”
oregon.gov “brushing hair, braiding hair, applying hair spray or holding cream to hair or styling hair through the”
oregon.gov “use of barrettes, ties, clips, ribbons and other similar hair accessories for the sole purpose of”
oregon.gov “preparing an individual for a professional photograph, provided that the person does not use any”
oregon.gov “product that alters the keratin of the individual’s hair.”
oregon.gov - Locs
“"Natural hair care" means the braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping of human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers or hair extensions through the use of hands or simple devices such as clips, combs, hairpins or needle and thread.”
oregon.gov “(a) Perform or attempt to perform services in a field of practice without an active authorization.”
oregon.gov “To get certified in Natural Hair Care, applicants must:”
oregon.gov “A person who is certified to practice hair design or barbering under this section is authorized to”
oregon.gov “Bring proof of having completed the natural hair care training module.”
oregon.gov - Hair extensions and sew-ins
“"Natural hair care" means the braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping of human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers or hair extensions through the use of hands or simple devices such as clips, combs, hairpins or needle and thread.”
oregon.gov “(a) Perform or attempt to perform services in a field of practice without an active authorization.”
oregon.gov “Natural hair care also does not include the use of penetrating chemical hair treatments, chemical hair coloring agents, chemical hair straightening agents, chemical hair joining agents, permanent wave styles or chemical hair bleaching agents.”
oregon.gov “To get certified in Natural Hair Care, applicants must:”
oregon.gov “A person who is certified to practice hair design or barbering under this section is authorized to”
oregon.gov “Bring proof of having completed the natural hair care training module.”
oregon.gov - Also good to know
“Bring proof of having completed the natural hair care training module.”
oregon.gov - Also good to know
“Topics include licensing and certification, practice standards, facility standards, chemical storage and hair characteristics.”
oregon.gov - Also good to know
“Application for certification renewal should be made in advance of the certification inactive date, which is the last day of the month two years from the date of issuance.”
oregon.gov - Also good to know
“a facility license must be obtained when operating a business establishment and providing services in one or more fields of practice defined in ORS 690.005”
secure.sos.state.or.us
Questions
Oregon hair braiding licenses, answered
Do you need a license to braid hair in Oregon?
Do you need a license to do locs in Oregon?
Do you need a license to do hair extensions or sew-ins in Oregon?
Do you need a license to install wigs in Oregon?
What do you need to open a braiding salon in Oregon?
Plan the rest
Ready to fill your book
- Hours, exams and fees for each Oregon cosmetology and barber license
- What Oregon requires to open a salon or shop of your own
- What Oregon inspectors check in a salon
- Renewing a Oregon 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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