Have To Get "Natural Hair Care Stylist" Licensure...Say What?!

[Melody.Monroe]

I live in NC, and in order to do hair, even as a CHEMICAL free hairstylist that uses natural products...you have to go to school and get licensed. Before, we just had to pass a hair knowledge test to make sure we knew how hair and skin worked...you know the education behind hair...but we didn't have to actually got through 300 hours of school...well now we do. Problem is....there aren't many Natural Hair Care courses...so how the HECK are we supposed to get our 300 hours?! erplexed

Here are the requirements in NC:

How to become licensed as a natural hair care stylist (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011)
Pass the written and practical examinations with a score of 75 or higher and file the license application confirming experience as a natural hair care specialist, pay $20 license fee to the NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners 1201 Front Street Suite 110 Raleigh, NC 27609.



To schedule an examination please call 1-800-733-9267
Candidate Information Bulletins can be found at the link to examinations as a guide to both the written and practical examinations.



I'm sure most of y'all in here could pass that exam with 100% without the 300 hours...ugh!

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

i plan to open a few natural salons (as one of my endeavors) .... i asked the same thing a while back

what i found was a little crazy, and quite variable in every state


melody.. you're super pretty sis

 

[Tif392002]

yep, my cuzin just got her liscence for "braidng and weaving" that does not include shampooing, chemicals, glue, nothing... all she can do is natural hair, weave, braids, and things like that. she did 300 hours . we in texas

 

[Melody.Monroe]

Right! I was like wow! How am I going to get the 300 hours if there is no one to teach me? As far as the hair science...I can buy my own books and study and pass the exam. I need to be certified to braid, and cornrow? Really? Okay...

I feel like as long as I know how hair works and behaves, and I know how to sanitize my supplies...you know all that, I should be certifies. I am not dying or relaxing anyones hair. Flat twists I don't think require a certificate...I understand what they are trying to do in a way...but think that it is more about money being that I think this affect women of color more...I could be wrong....but um...I don't see too many white braiding salons or natural salons...

 

[Melody.Monroe]

yep, my cuzin just got her liscence for "braidng and weaving" that does not include shampooing, chemicals, glue, nothing... all she can do is natural hair, weave, braids, and things like that. she did 300 hours . we in texas

Yall have a school?! How did she get her 300 hours?

 

[LovelyLouboutin]

I would think it's beneficial to take the chemical classes so you have a wealth of knowledge of the bad things it does to hair. That way you can fully assess your natural clients problem if she comes in with one. Ex.How do you know the perm burned off my edges if you never got a perm, seen a perm put on, never put one in someones hair.

 

[Melody.Monroe]

I would think it's beneficial to take the chemical classes so you have a wealth of knowledge of the bad things it does to hair. That way you can fully assess your natural clients problem if she comes in with one. Ex.How do you know the perm burned off my edges if you never got a perm, seen a perm put on, never put one in someones hair.

Very Very Very true...but at the same time I can learn that from the SAME text books that they gave my sister (cosmetologist). But I definitely understand what you are saying. The knowledge of the chemical process is beneficial.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

Right! I was like wow! How am I going to get the 300 hours if there is no one to teach me? As far as the hair science...I can buy my own books and study and pass the exam. I need to be certified to braid, and cornrow? Really? Okay...

I feel like as long as I know how hair works and behaves, and I know how to sanitize my supplies...you know all that, I should be certifies. I am not dying or relaxing anyones hair. Flat twists I don't think require a certificate...I understand what they are trying to do in a way...but think that it is more about money being that I think this affect women of color more...I could be wrong....but um...I don't see too many white braiding salons or natural salons...

i would travel to the nearest place in which you may gain a license

I bet (sorry no knowledge of ) there is a place that you are abl to do the "hours" online and then travel somewhere to be checked off............

AND THEN! you should consider being the educator???? for licensing in your area? I know in my hometown a guy recently got the OK to do so b/c no one has to have a license to barber there b/c THERE ARE NO SCHOOLS! now he is the sole teacher in this city, which was a tiny crusty barber shop... but it's barber school by nite/ he simply went to a city 1 hr away and got his license, and it was a few more contact hrs + test to become an instructor

 

[tatiana]

Not sure if I understand question but how about getting your 300 hours with children's hair. Most of them are natural. Just an idea.

 

[Nayna]

Well the reason that it's there is because a lot of people don't know how to take care of natural hair. I know quite a few people that have their licenses in only natural hair and they took courses exclusively for it. Then again that's here in NYC.

If someone wanted to learn chemicals they would have to take the whole cosmetology course. I think if you know enough about natural hair care just take the cosmetology course and when you hit 300 hours sign up for the natural hair test. I think you can do that.

 

[diadall]

Same in Florida but I wonder if you need it because they may have to consult with people with chemicals that may want to go natural or be able to work on transitions?

It was probably the vocational lobby that wanted more money and instituted by statute. There are lots of measures like that.

 

[Nasdaq_Diva]

I like that there is now a requirement to be licensed to be a natural hair stylist/braider. But, I know it's hard to get the classes. They are working on developing classes based for natural hair ECU's in Ohio as well.

Your best bet would be to call some shops around your area and ask when/if they will be offering any classes. Oh, and call your states Board of Cosmetology too.

 

[NikStarrr]

A person who just wants to be a barber has to do the full gamut of cosmetology school too (in most states). So I'm not surprised.

 

[Melody.Monroe]

See I didn't know all that...the reason that I was considering getting licensed in the first place was because my sister wants to open a shop, but I didn't want to do anything except for braids and stuff like that...I will have to do more research. I wonder if she can give me credit hours! LOL!! You never know. Have he sign off on all 300 hours *slaps self on back of hand* Tisk Tisk! He he!

 

[GlamSuiteSalon]

It really just depends on the state that you live in.

 

[kim]

It really just depends on the state that you live in.

Right, because I think here in Kentucky you have to do the full cosmetology course. Which I believe takes about a little over a year or more.

 

[Roux]

next you'll need a license to even touch or look at hair that is seriously overkill!

 

[jbwphoto1]

South Carolina has got to have the easiest route to a braider's license anywhere. Just follow the steps below:

To obtain a registration to practice hair braiding in the State an individual is required to:

1. Pay a twenty-five ($25) registration fee for a two (2) year registration, prior to attending the class. Click here for an application Hair Braiding Application. All checks or money orders must be made payable to: State Board of Barber Examiners.
2. Successfully complete a six (6) hour board approved braiding course, and
3. Pass a 25 question multiple-choice examination administered by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).
4. Submit the application and $25 fee to the address listed below:
5. You will be notified in writing when and where thee class is held.

More details at the link below.

http://www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/barber/index.asp?file=hairbraidinfo.htm

 

[Melaninme]

yep, my cuzin just got her liscence for "braidng and weaving" that does not include shampooing, chemicals, glue, nothing... all she can do is natural hair, weave, braids, and things like that. she did 300 hours . we in texas

How did she accomplish this (300 hours)? I've been asked numerous times by others to style their natural hair (twists, braids, blowouts, etc...) and I've often wondered about the process involved in obtaining a license or if one is needed to become a natural hair care stylist in Texas.

However, I've done styles on my relatives only (sons, Mom, sister, nieces, husband, and cousins) and they all have been asked who does your hair? Followed by, "would she be wiling to do my hair" or "can she style my hair?".

I have over 15 years of experience doing natural hair, so I'm off to do some more research.

 

[mzteaze]

Off the top of my head, gathering 300 hours MIGHT gained by:

- Interning or working at a full-service salon (regular or natural) for 8 weeks (at 40 hours/week pace - longer if less time a week) - this is providing the state allows you to get another licensed person to sign off that you completed 300 hours

- See if you can audit classes at a local cosmetology school. This option may not be ideal or free.

Generally speaking, the last time we talked about this online, it wasn't clear HOW you are supposed to get 300 hours outside of taking the classes. Maybe the right question to pose to the state licensing agency is who is qualified to certify that you have earned 300 hours of practice/training?

 

[Melaninme]

Thank you.

Off the top of my head, gathering 300 hours MIGHT gained by:

- Interning or working at a full-service salon (regular or natural) for 8 weeks (at 40 hours/week pace - longer if less time a week) - this is providing the state allows you to get another licensed person to sign off that you completed 300 hours

- See if you can audit classes at a local cosmetology school. This option may not be ideal or free.

Generally speaking, the last time we talked about this online, it wasn't clear HOW you are supposed to get 300 hours outside of taking the classes. Maybe the right question to pose to the state licensing agency is who is qualified to certify that you have earned 300 hours of practice/training?

 

[mzteaze]

After a little research, here are the requirements for NC's test: http://dlroope.com/assets/NC_Natural_Hair_Care_Specialist_Practical_CIB.pdf

There are two parts, both practical (hands on demonstration in 3 hours) and a written test.

They allow you to attend a school out of state and use reciprocity laws to get your license. I found a school in NYC that claims to teach a 300 hour course here: http://www.hairacademyinc.com/ (I can't vouch for their credibility or substance of course).

After looking at the requirements for the practical, I would struggle as I don't know how to lock, install an extension or braid/cornrow. :-?

 

[ChocolateTink]

Has anyone got licensed in NC