Maine — the rules

Do You Need a License to Braid Hair in Maine? (2026 Rules)

Good news: Maine does not require a license to braid hair. Natural hair braiding is exempt from the cosmetology chapter — you can start taking paying clients as soon as your business basics are in order.

Maine requirements at a glance

Braiding requirementNone — exempt
Full cosmetology license (cuts, color, chemicals)1,500 hours
RegulatorMaine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program

Public Law 2015 ch. 132 (LD 847) exempted hair braiding from barbering and cosmetology licensure; 32 MRSA § 14203(3) provides that a person providing only hair braiding services is not subject to licensure, and a braiding-only location is not a licensed establishment.

What braiding covers — and what it does not

Braiding exemptions and certificates typically cover natural hair work: braiding, twisting, locking, weaving, and extensions using natural or synthetic hair. They do NOT cover chemical services (relaxers, color), cutting, or treatments — those sit under the full cosmetology license everywhere. If your service menu stays in the braiding lane, the light path above is yours; if you plan to add color or cuts later, plan for the full license.

Going legal in Maine: the five-step checklist

  1. Confirm the current rule with the regulator (linked below) — rules changed in several states in the last two years.
  2. Get your free EIN at irs.gov so your Social Security number stays private.
  3. Liability insurance — $10–$30/month from beauty-pro insurers; booth-rent salons usually require it.
  4. Check local rules if working from home (home-occupation permits are a city matter, separate from state licensing).
  5. Set up the business — booking with deposits, posted prices, your own business line. Our free guide covers all of it.

Sources and verification

Verified 2026-07 against: legislature.maine.gov · legislature.maine.gov · www.maine.gov. Rules change — confirm with the primary source before acting; this guide is information, not legal advice.

Questions people ask

Do you need a license to braid hair in Maine?

No — Maine exempts natural hair braiding from cosmetology licensing. Services beyond braiding (color, chemicals, cutting) still require licensure.

Who regulates hair braiding in Maine?

Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program

How many hours is a cosmetology license in Maine?

1,500 hours of training, covering the full service scope: cuts, color, and chemical services.