Ohio Hair Braiding School and Requirements

To become a licensed hair braider in Ohio, you must have a Boutique Service Registration (BTQR) in braiding or complete 450 hours of education and training to earn a Natural Hair license. Both licenses require a deep understanding of braiding and client care. You must also complete continuing education every two years to renew your license.

In addition to a BTQR, a cosmetology or natural hair styling license can kickstart your career and expand your skills within the industry. Browse our directory of hair braiding schools in Ohio, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair braiding licensing requirements and job outlook.

What You Can Do With Your Ohio Braiding or Natural Hair License

Whether you specialize in braiding, natural hair, or cosmetology, you'll find unique requirements and opportunities. While the skillsets may overlap, some services are unique to particular licenses or specialties.

A registration in braiding and a Natural Hair License are different from a cosmetology license, as they're highly specialized. A cosmetology license may be the best fit if you want to work with a wide range of clients and perform additional services like hair cutting, skin and nail care, and makeup.

BTQR Braiding

If you hold a BTQR in braiding, you can use your license to offer specific braiding services in a salon. With this registration, you can create braids in a variety of patterns, shapes, and directions. You'll use your technical skill and creativity to style hair, and you can add length and bulk with human or synthetic hair using combs, pins, and clips.

While braiding allows you to craft various styles, the BTQR license doesn't include the ability to perform weaving, bonding, or other hair fusions. You can't use chemicals like dyes or preparations to straighten, curl, or style hair. This license is a good option if you only want to style hair using braiding techniques.

Natural Hair License

A natural hair license allows you to perform services beyond braiding. You can create complex braided styles, add tracks, weaves, or bonded extensions, and more. This license allows you to work with a variety of hair types and textures to create unique styles and perform routine hair care like shampooing, scalp massage, and more.

Ohio BTQR Braiding School vs. Natural Hair School

Choosing your career path starts with finding the right type of school.

What You'll Learn in BTQR Braiding School

While there's no state-mandated number of hours required to obtain a BTQR in braiding, you must fill out a training or apprenticeship affidavit highlighting your eligibility for registration. Some hair braiding schools may have a specific curriculum with a number of hours required to complete the program. For the state registration, you must prove you have training in:

• Adding hair for bulk or length
• All types of braiding
• Hair crochet with natural or added hair using a latch hook
• Locks or dreads
• Two-strand twists

What You'll Learn in Ohio Natural Hair School

The 450-hour curriculum for natural hair in Ohio combines technical skills and background knowledge to prepare you for a career in the beauty industry. The curriculum includes coursework on:

• General sciences, anatomy, and disease control
• Hair and scalp care
• Hair care, shampooing, styling, braiding, wig care
• Salon operation and business management

Should I Consider Cosmetology School as an Ohio Braider?

If you'd like to expand your clientele and skillset, attending cosmetology school may be a great next step for Ohio hair braiders. Cosmetology schools in Ohio offer specific instruction on beauty topics, including hair cutting, styling, braiding, wig styling, makeup, skincare, and nail care. A cosmetology course takes 1,500 hours of instruction and training to help you build upon your existing experience in braiding.

READ MORE: Learn More About Cosmetology School in Ohio

Getting Your Ohio Braiding or Natural Hair License

To get your BTQR or natural hair license, you must complete training and submit documentation to the state. Beauty license requirements vary by state, and Ohio's rules include regular renewals and continuing education hours to stay updated with industry developments and trends.

How to Get a BTQR Braiding

To apply for a BTQR in braiding, you must submit a notarized affidavit signed by your trainer stating you've received training in braiding. Then, you can apply for registration at www.elicense.ohio.gov, along with information about where you'll be working. With a few exceptions based on age and years practicing, you must renew your registration every odd-numbered year by January 31st. This process requires continued education credits in the form of a one-hour board laws and rules course and a one-hour infection control and safety course. There's no fee to renew your license.

How to Get a Natural Hair License

To earn your Natural Hair License in Ohio, you must complete a 450-hour course followed by a practical exam where you'll showcase your skills. The exam requires you to demonstrate your abilities to braid, install tracks or weave, add extensions, and more while following sanitary procedures.

Once you complete your exam, you can file for your license online and begin working in a salon. Similar to a BTQR, you must renew your license every two years, although a fee is required to renew this license. You must also complete eight hours of continued education to keep your skills sharp. Continuing education opportunities are available on the Ohio Cosmetology and Barber Board website.

Can I Have Both a BTQR Braiding and a Natural Hair License?

You can hold multiple BTQRs, including braiding, makeup artistry, threading, and shampooing. While you can get a Natural Hair License along with a braiding BTQR, make sure this will help you achieve your goals before deciding to have both.

Ohio Hair Braider Salary

Salaries for hair braiders vary in Ohio, especially as many braiders work as independent contractors or freelancers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the mean hourly rate for a cosmetologist (the closest occupation to a hair braider) in Ohio is $19.57 per hour ($40,700 per year).

According to data from ZipRecruiter, a hair braider in Cleveland, Ohio, can expect to make about $677 per week or $35,211 per year. However, these sample pay scales change frequently as data is pulled from recent job listings and doesn't account for freelancer hair braiders.

Contact the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology