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

Miss. Code § 73-7-71 exempts hair braiders from cosmetology/barbering licensure (enacted 2005): no license or training hours are required, but braiders must self-register with the Mississippi State Department of Health (expressly a listing, not a license), pay a $25 fee, and keep a completed MSDH infection-control self-test brochure at their place of business. Classified here as lesser_certificate because the registration is mandatory.

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.

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.

Verified 2026-07 against: law.justia.com · msdh.ms.gov · msdh.ms.gov. Rules change — confirm with the primary source before acting; this guide is information, not legal advice.