Maine Hair Braiding School and Requirements

You don't have to go to hair braiding school to become a hair braider in Maine. However, braiders in the state can't perform every type of hair treatment, so a cosmetology or hair designer license may be the right choice for some future stylists. There are cases in which getting some hair braiding training could be useful, too.

Read on to learn about what hair braiders in Maine can do, when you might want to consider a cosmetology license or additional training, and how much money you could earn. Browse our directory of hair braiding schools in Maine, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair braiding licensing requirements and job outlook.

What Maine Hair Braiders Can Do

Hair braiders in Maine can only offer hair braiding services, so they don't need a cosmetology license. Though the state doesn't go into more detail than that—and you should check with the state board about specific treatments—Law Insider says hair braiders typically can use tension on hair strands or roots to create styles. Some standard methods are:

• Braiding
• Extending
• Locking
• Twisting
• Weaving
• Wrapping

However, braiders can't dye, cut, or use reactive chemicals on the hair. If a treatment can cause extensive damage or significant structural changes, you need a cosmetology license to perform it.

When Hair Braiders Could Use a Maine Cosmetology or Hair Design License

Though Maine's hair braiders don't need a braiding license, cosmetology or hair designer licenses could be helpful if you want to offer services other than braiding.

Hair designers in Maine spend 1,200 hours in school or 2,000 as a trainee. When done with training, they can perform all expected hair treatments, like cutting and chemical curling. They also work on facial hair, create wigs, shampoo and condition hair, and provide scalp treatments.

Maine cosmetologists, meanwhile, study their craft for 1,500 hours or work as a trainee for 2,500 hours. They can perform the same hair treatments as hair designers (except facial hair work), plus nail and skin services.

READ MORE: Learn More About Cosmetology School in Maine

READ MORE: Learn More About Hair School in Maine

Neither option is required to teach braiding. However, you may be able to find braiding-specific training at a variety of schools. Since Maine doesn't require hair braiding school or licensure, you could also get informally trained by a friend or relative, watching YouTube or similar videos, or taking online classes. This is a good option if you aren't 100% confident in your braiding skills, want to learn new techniques, or are interested in certification.

Maine Hair Braider Salary

ZipRecruiter reports the average pay for work-from-home hair braiders in Maine is $39,798 per year ($19.13 per hour) as of 2023. However, the site only considers pay for work-from-home braiders and usually gathers information from job listings. If you plan to work for someone else, this pay may not apply.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says as of 2022, Maine's cosmetologists, hairdressers, and hairstylists average $47,300 ($22.74). But BLS has the opposite problem: It doesn't include those working for themselves!

Since the type of workplace, city or town, years of experience, and many other factors can affect wages, consider talking to current hair braiders in your area to get a good idea of pay.

Contact the Maine State Board of Cosmetology