Iowa Hair Braiding School and Requirements

If you want to become a hair braider in Iowa, you simply need to register with the state. No training is required. You don't even have to pay a fee! However, hair braiders in Iowa must follow strict guidelines to practice their craft.

Here, we'll talk about the hair braiding registry in Iowa, what its hair braiders are allowed to do, and how much you might make once you enter the workforce. Browse our directory of hair braiding schools in Iowa, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair braiding licensing requirements and job outlook.

Why Doesn't Iowa Have Hair Braiding School?

In 2016, Iowa stopped requiring hair braiders to attend cosmetology school because, as Gov. Branstad said, "Licensing and regulations should only be mandated when necessary to service public health or safety." He continued by saying that hair braiding without a license could and generally is done safely, making a license unnecessary.

However, part of why licensing is unnecessary is that the state's hair braiders are limited to things that are unlikely to put hair or skin at risk.

What Iowa Hair Braiders Can Do…And What They Can't

Iowa refers to workers in this field as "natural hair braiders." In this field, you can only provide services to those with natural hair, and the hair has to remain natural and unaltered. This means Iowa hair braiders can braid, lock, twist, weave, cornrow, or offer similar treatments, and that's it.

Hair braiders in Iowa can't cut or use chemicals like dye or straighteners on hair. Those types of services are only available to the state's cosmetologists. Because of these limitations, natural hair braiding doesn't have the risks that come with doing other hair treatments, like the risk of chemical damage to the scalp or hair.

Learning to Braid Without Hair Braiding School in Iowa

Though not every state allows braiders to practice without a license, Iowa recognizes that many people learn to braid by getting their hair braided since childhood. If you want to braid but don't feel prepared without training, you could take a hair braiding school program. It won't lead to a license, but it can help you improve your braiding skills.

The fact is, hair braiding isn't often taught in cosmetology programs. If you go that route and have no braiding experience, you generally need to pursue braiding training outside the cosmetology program. However, some cosmetology schools offer braiding classes in addition to typical cosmetology ones, so it may be a good idea to look for a program that lets you learn both.

Applying for Your Iowa Hair Braiding Registration

All you need to do to apply to be on the Iowa Natural Hair Braiding Registry is fill out a form. It asks for:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Contact Information
• Your hair braiding job location
• An affirmation where you agree that what you've stated is true

If you have questions about the registry program, contact the natural hair braiding portion of the department at 515-281-0254.

Cosmetology Schools for Iowa Hair Braiders

To be able to cut and dye hair in Iowa, you need a cosmetology license. Iowa cosmetologists attend school for 2,100 hours and learn about hair styling and treatments, nails, and skincare, among other beauty topics.

READ MORE: Learn About Cosmetology School in Iowa

Iowa Hair Braiding Salary

ZipRecruiter reports that the average Iowa hair braider who works from home makes $36,873 annually ($17.78 per hour) as of October 2023. Of course, this doesn't include hair braiders who work at salons or barber shops, and you may prefer that option.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary of $34,420 per year ($16.55 per hour) for Iowa hairstylists and cosmetologists in 2022. But this data has the opposite problem: It only includes those working for other people! Plus, it isn't explicitly referring to braiders.

Further, pay can be influenced by location, years of experience, number of clients, and more. The best way to figure out how much you can reasonably expect to earn is to talk to local braiders.

Contact the Iowa State Board of Cosmetology