North Carolina Hair Braiding School and Requirements

In North Carolina, "hair braiders" are called "natural hair care specialists." These licensed professionals often develop detailed styles and weave patterns to enhance their clients' looks. To practice as a natural hair care specialist in North Carolina, you must secure a license from the State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.

Browse our directory of hair braiding schools in North Carolina, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair braiding licensing requirements and job outlook.

What Can Natural Hair Care Specialists in North Carolina Do?

Natural hair care specialists in North Carolina have a relatively narrow scope of practice. They specialize in various forms of braiding. In fact, the state board says they should have called the license a "braiding license" rather than going with natural hair care as the name. Essentially, if it involves using tension on hair strands to create styles, natural hair care specialists can do it.

A cosmetology license is needed to provide permanent or semi-permanent services like haircuts or chemical straightening.

Hair Braiding School in North Carolina

To earn hair braiding licensure, North Carolina's State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners requires that applicants receive at least 300 hours of training at a state-accredited school. A natural hair care program should teach you about:

• Blow drying and thermal ironing
• Draping
• Hair extensions
• Infection control and blood exposure procedures
• Knots
• Locs
• Shampooing
• Three-strand braids on the scalp
• Three-strand overbraids
• Three-strand underbraids
• Track and sew wefts
• Twists
• Two-strand overlaps
• Wrapping

Meanwhile, North Carolina cosmetologists complete 1,500 hours of training and cover everything from hair cutting and dyeing to makeup and manicures. If you want to add additional skills to your repertoire, you might want to consider that license.

READ MORE: Learn More About North Carolina Cosmetology School

Getting a North Carolina Natural Hair Care Specialist License

Aspiring natural hair care specialists in North Carolina must secure a license from the State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners before practicing. After completing your program and passing the state exam, you can apply for a license and must pay a $20 fee.

Your NIC exam for natural hair care specialist licensure in North Carolina includes a range of topics, from health and safety regulations to styling and braiding techniques. The test consists of written and practical sections, and you must receive a minimum score of 75% to secure your license. Similarly, cosmetologists must receive a minimum passing score of 75% and pay a $49 application fee.

If you fail the practical part of your test three times, you must take 40 more hours of classes at an accredited school.

To secure your natural hair care specialist license in North Carolina, you must complete an accredited training program, pass the state exam, and pay all relevant fees. Additionally, licensed natural hair care specialists must renew their licenses annually and complete eight hours of continuing education annually.

Salary for Hair Braiders in North Carolina

While job and salary data is limited because it does not include freelancers or a wide variety of survey participants, reviewing this information can offer practical insight. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median hourly wage of about $16. Additionally, as of March 2024, the average hourly pay for a hair braider in Raleigh, North Carolina, is $18, with wages as high as $22.67 per hour.

Contact the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetology