Washington hair braiding rules
Do you need a license to braid hair in Washington?
No license needed. Natural hair braiding needs no license in Washington, but braiding that involves cutting, dyes or chemical treatments falls outside that exemption and needs a Cosmetologist or Hair designer license. Below: locs (not stated), hair extensions and sew-ins (not stated) and wig installs (not stated), each answered from Washington'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
- Not stated
- Wig installs
- Not stated
Licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.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 Washington?
No license needed. Natural hair braiding needs no license in Washington, but braiding that involves cutting, dyes or chemical treatments falls outside that exemption and needs a Cosmetologist or Hair designer license.
- License needed
- No license needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Cosmetologist, Hair designer
- Exemption
- Natural hair braiding is exempt if it involves no hair cutting, dyes, reactive chemicals, or preparations that straighten, curl, or alter the structure of the hair.
Washington is one of 35 states whose official pages exempt hair braiding from licensing.
Locs
Do you need a license to do locs in Washington?
Not stated. Washington's official pages we read do not say whether starting and maintaining locs need a license. Ask the Washington State Department of Licensing 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 Washington?
Not stated. Washington's official pages we read do not say whether hair extensions and sew-ins need a license. Ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before you offer them.
- License needed
- Not stated
- Exemption
- Extensions attached only by natural means may be used in natural hair braiding, which needs no license.
Wig installs
Do you need a license to install wigs in Washington?
Not stated. Washington's official pages we read do not say whether installing wigs on a client needs a license. Ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before you offer it.
- License needed
- Not stated
Good to know
What else Washington asks of braiders
- Braiding that includes cutting, dyes or chemical treatments is outside the natural hair braiding exemption.
- Operating a salon, shop or personal services business for cosmetology or hair design needs a DOL location license.
- Hair design school training is set at 1,400 hours.
Sources
What Washington's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Washington's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 29, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the Washington State Department of Licensing before you start charging for a service.
- Hair braiding
“Nothing in chapter 18.16 RCW or 308-20 WAC prohibits or restricts the practice of natural hair braiding.”
app.leg.wa.gov “(g) Hair styling including wet, dry, and thermal styling, braiding and styling aids for all hair and skin types;”
app.leg.wa.gov “(e) Hair styling including wet, dry, and thermal styling, braiding and styling aids for all hair and skin types;”
app.leg.wa.gov “Natural hair braiding does not include hair cutting, application of dyes, reactive chemicals or other preparations to alter the color of the hair or to straighten, curl, or alter the structure of the hair.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Hair extensions and sew-ins
“Natural hair braiding may involve the use of hair extensions when the extensions are attached only by natural means.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Also good to know
“Natural hair braiding does not include hair cutting, application of dyes, reactive chemicals or other preparations to alter the color of the hair or to straighten, curl, or alter the structure of the hair.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Also good to know
“No person shall operate a cosmetology, hair design, barbering, esthetics, master esthetics, or manicuring salon/shop, mobile unit, or personal services business in this state unless the business has qualified for and has in their possession a location license”
app.leg.wa.gov - Also good to know
“(ii) Hair design, 1,400 hours;”
app.leg.wa.gov
Questions
Washington hair braiding licenses, answered
Do you need a license to braid hair in Washington?
Do you need a license to do locs in Washington?
Do you need a license to do hair extensions or sew-ins in Washington?
Do you need a license to install wigs in Washington?
What do you need to open a braiding salon in Washington?
Plan the rest
Ready to fill your book
- Hours, exams and fees for each Washington cosmetology and barber license
- What Washington requires to open a salon or shop of your own
- What Washington inspectors check in a salon
- Renewing a Washington 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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