Hair Braiding Programs in Washington DC
Braids are all over the world of beauty. Whenever you look at YouTube beauty videos, popular Pinterest pins, or Instagram posts, you see new types of braids. Some braids are so complex that they seem impossible to do yourself, but you can replicate and create your own styles with the right training!
Find Hair Braiding Programs in District of Columbia
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
With a hair braiding license in Washington DC, you can meet a growing need in the United States. Both those who come from areas with traditional hair braiding communities and those who are from the United States like the diversity and durability of professionally done braids. This style of hair requires you to manipulate the hair in a completely different way than what is done in other cosmetology careers.
Want to find out how to become a professional hair braider and work with hair of all different textures and lengths? Check out hair braiding programs in Washington DC to get started.
Education Requirements for Hair Braiding in DC
Hair braiding licensing has been a hot topic in the beauty industry for several years now. Washington DC is pretty progressive—instead of requiring braiders to complete a full cosmetology program, this state has a separate braiding program that includes 100 hours of instruction. Although the required topics are fairly simple, many instructors cover more complex braiding styles and techniques in their education.
To sit for the licensing exam and legally work in Washington DC, you must study the following subjects:
• Bacteriology (12 hours)
• Safety, health, and Washington DC law (8 hours)
• Basic anatomy and physiology (5 hours)
• Shampoos, rinses, and procedure (8 hours)
• Chemistry of natural hair coloring processing (6 hours)
• Structure of hair (6 hours)
• Scalp disorders and diseases (8 hours)
• Hair and scalp care (15 hours)
• Basic braid and cornrow (16 hours)
• Basic braid and cornrow with extensions (16 hours)
Licensing of hair braiders goes through the Washington DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. You can submit your application to Pearson VUE, the testing body for cosmetology professionals in Washington DC.
To get your first license, you must pay $230 for licensing and testing fees. After passing the hair braiding exam, you can officially start working as a hair braider in Washington DC. Make sure you renew your license by April 30 of every even-numbered year.
Working as a Hair Braiding in Washington DC
The future of hair braiding is bright, thanks to how popular this style is becoming! Between 2012 and 2022, job openings for Washington DC cosmetology professionals may increase 18% (O*Net, 2015). The average salary for a cosmetology professional in this area is $22,400 per year (O*Net, 2015).
Once you are a licensed hair braider, you can think about how you want to use your license. You may want to work in a conventional salon that offers lots of different services and procedures. You can also look into jobs at specialized braiding shops, which are popular in downtown areas. Some braiders become self-employed and rent their own studio or travel to customers to braid their hair.
If you can master hair braiding, you can make beautiful styles that last weeks. Take the first step now and request information from hair braiding programs in Washington DC.