Michigan Hair Braiding School and Requirements

In Michigan, you can become a hair braider by going to school and passing exams for a "hair cultivation" license. People with this license are called "hair culturists." This license name—Michigan seems to be the only state to use it!—likely comes from "cultivated locs," meaning the process of creating neat locs (as opposed to freeform locs). However, hair braiders in Michigan can perform services beyond locking.

Let's dig into how to become a hair braider in Michigan, including hair braiding school programs, exams, and more. Browse our directory of hair braiding schools in Michigan, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair braiding licensing requirements and job outlook.

Becoming a Hair Braider in Michigan

A Michigan hair cultivation license is necessary if you want to work as a braider in the state. Once you earn this license, you can perform hair services like locking, twisting, wrapping, extending, braiding, and more. Hair culturists may not offer services that permanently or semi-permanently alter clients' hair structure; this means no cutting, dyeing, chemical straightening, or curling, among other such services.

Earning your natural hair license in Michigan is a comparatively quick process. You can reach that point through a 400-hour, three-month hair braiding school program or a six-month apprenticeship, followed by passing two tests.

If you want to offer treatments beyond braiding and its relatives, you must go to cosmetology school and pass that field's tests. Michigan cosmetology programs run for 1,500 hours or two apprenticeship years and primarily focus on hair. Unlike many states, Michigan's cosmetology programs include classes related to braiding.

READ MORE: Learn More About Cosmetology School in Michigan

Natural Hair Cultivation Exams in Michigan

You need to take theory and practical natural hair cultivation exams before you can become a hair braider in Michigan. The tests are $167 if paid for simultaneously or $93 each if paid for separately. You have to get at least 75% to pass the practical test and 70% for the theory exam.

You can't bring electronics, most belongings, or other people (barring approved aides for ADA accommodations) into the exams with you, and not all test centers have storage areas. None have childcare areas. So plan accordingly!

You need to bring all the necessary supplies for the practical test—they don't provide anything you may need. It takes about 1.25 hours and is divided into four sections:

• Workstation prep: 15 minutes
• Braid-in Extension: 25 minutes
• Sew-in Weft and Removal: 25 minutes
• End-of-Day Cleanup: 10 minutes

A Certified National Evaluator watches you during your test and determines your final score. While in the exam room, you may not speak with or help other test-takers, and any time you take away from the test to use the restroom is subtracted from your exam time. However, if you need accommodations that go against this rule, be sure to apply for that ahead of time.

The theory (written) test lasts up to 90 minutes and includes 85 scored and 10 unscored questions. You should study the following topics for this closed-book test:

• Braids and Extensions
• Client Consultation
• Hair and Scalp Analysis
• Hairstyling
• Licensing
• Safety and Infection Control
• Twists and Twist Extensions

PSI administers the exams and recommends using study sources like Pivot Points Fundamentals: Cosmetology, Milady's Standard Cosmetology, and Milady's Standard Foundations.

If you need disability-related accommodations, you must request these well ahead of time to help ensure your type of necessary assistance is permitted and available.

Moving to Michigan as a Hair Braider

Since more and more states don't require hair braiding training or licensure, it can be intimidating to move to a state that does—especially if that state makes you start your hair braiding career from scratch by attending school or going through an apprenticeship.

Michigan has thought about that issue and offers a solution. There are a few ways to get your Michigan hair cultivation license if you move from another state, depending on your previous state's requirements and experience.

• Already Licensed: Provide proof of licensure and other relevant paperwork and evidence of name change if relevant
• Trained but Not Licensed: Submit transcripts
• Experienced Braider: Turn in proof of your experience, with every six months of experience equaling 100 training hours (so, two years of work would meet the state's required 400 hours)

If you don't have training or experience equaling Michigan's requirements, you must take one or both licensure tests to show you're ready to practice.

Michigan Hair Braider Salary

The best way to determine how much you could earn as a hair braider in Michigan is by talking to other braiders. Every published salary resource has its limitations. For instance, ZipRecruiter says that, as of December 2023, hair braiders average $14.11 per hour. But that resource mainly factors in recent job listings.

That same source reports that self-employed hair braiders made just over $18 per hour. However, since ZipRecruiter usually gets details from job listings, chances are this number is a bit unintentionally skewed.

Michigan's hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earned an average of $20.56 as of 2022, according to the BLS. This only factors in people in those fields who are employed by others, and it's unclear if natural hair culturists are included in this.

When talking to other hair braiders about potential pay, remember that the type of workplace, years of experience, and location all factor in.

Contact the Michigan State Board of Cosmetology