Nevada Braiding Hair School and Requirements

To become a hair braider in Nevada, you must have practiced on relatives for at least a year or completed 250 hours of braiding training. Once qualified, you must then pass exams to obtain licensure. In this guide, we dig into what's required to become a hair braider in Nevada, what braiders in the state can do, and how much you could earn in this career.

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

What Hair Braiders in Nevada Can Do

Nevada hair braiders can work within their highly specialized field but may not offer services beyond that. More specifically, they can perform services like:

• Braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping human hair, natural or synthetic fibers, and hair extensions.
• Cleansing the scalp
• Making wigs from natural hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hair extensions

But they cannot perform:

• Chemical hair treatments
• Haircutting
• Related cosmetology services

How to Become a Hair Braider in Nevada

Hair braiders in Nevada need to meet several requirements before they can practice. Before you can start your dream career in natural hair services, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be of good moral character
• Complete 10^th grade or the equivalent
• Complete at least 250 hours of training or have practiced without pay on a relative for one or more years
• Submit an application
• Pay all relevant fees
• Pass practical and written exams

Training to Be a Hair Braider in Nevada

You can become a Nevada hair braider in two ways: spending a year working on a relative or attending a hair braiding school. Option one could be appealing because many people develop an interest in braiding through their families, to begin with—plus, it's free and totally focused on braiding. However, option two could be right for folks who work better in a braiding school environment or can't consistently practice on a family member.

Hair Braiding School in Nevada

You need to go through 250 hours at a Nevada hair braiding school to earn your license that way. Those hours must break down (at least) as follows:

• 50 hours: Nevada laws and board regulations
• 75 hours: Sanitation and infection control and prevention
• 75 hours: Scalp and skin health
• 50 hours: Clinical practice in braiding and the other treatments braiders can provide

Your hair braiding school hours must cover all subjects on the state's hair braiding exams.

Getting Your Nevada Braiding License by Practicing on a Relative

Styling and braiding a family member's hair as a route to licensure may seem like the most straightforward way to get your Nevada hair braiding license. But there are restrictions.

You need to select one relative who is your third cousin (sixth degree of consanguinity) or closer. Then, you'll practice your braiding and other natural hair skills on them for at least a full year, entirely for free. When that's done, they must submit an affidavit saying you did the work.

Though you aren't attending hair braiding classes, you need to take time to study all topics on the Nevada hair braiding tests. For instance, you likely won't learn about client consultation or trichology just by working on your relative's hair!

Nevada Hair Braiding Exam

The Nevada hair braiding exam consists of:

• A written (theory) test on antiseptics, sterilization, and sanitation
• A 25-question written test on the laws of Nevada and the regulations of the board relating to cosmetology
• A practical demonstration in hair braiding

The theory test lasts 90 minutes and comprises 50 scored questions on:

• Rules, regulations, and safety: 30%-40%
• Client consultation/contact: 8%-12%
• Physiology and trichology: 18%-24%
• Scalp and hair care: 10%-14%
• Braiding: 12%-16%
• Lock style and procedures: 10%-14%

​The practical test contains:

• Basic setup: 15 minutes
• Under braid and under braid with extension: 20 minutes
• Individual box braid: 15 minutes
• Hair weave: 20 minutes
• Blood exposure procedure

After completing your training, or if you have practiced on a relative for at least a year, you can submit a hair braider application with a $125 fee. You then take your exams and receive your hair braider licensure upon passing.

Nevada Cosmetology or Hair School for Hair Braiders

Hair braiders may want to earn a hair design license if you also want to cut, color, and style hair. These programs last for 1,000 hours and include wig-making. However, the state doesn't require hair design classes to include braiding.

READ MORE: Learn More About Hair School in Nevada

If you want to offer a wide range of beauty services like skin care treatments, makeup application, manicuring, and hair removal procedures, in addition to hair care treatments, then a cosmetology license is required. Those programs run for 1,600 hours and take almost a year.

READ MORE: Learn More About Cosmetology School in Nevada

Renewing Your Nevada Hair Braiding License

Hair braiding licenses must be renewed every two or four years by submitting an application and undergoing four hours of continuing education related to infection control and prevention. Renewing your hair braider license for two years costs $70 and $140 for four years.

Hair Braider Salary in Nevada

Hair braider pay in Nevada depends on several factors, including your specific location and workplace, how long you've been working, special services offered, and more.

ZipRecruiter reports that as of January 2024, braiders in the state averaged $17 per hour (about $35,000 per year). However, this site pulls from job listings and updates often.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports cosmetologists and hairdressers earned about $14 per hour ($29,000 annually) in 2022. But this estimate doesn't specifically refer to braiders' salaries.

The best way to learn more about how much you could earn is to talk to other braiders in your area.

Contact the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology