Hair Braider / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Hair Braider License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Natural hair styling and braiding. One of the most debated licensing requirements.

What the Massachusetts data shows for Hair Braiders

Becoming a licensed hair braider in Massachusetts means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,500 training hours, a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a background history check. Massachusetts regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

The initial price tag is $75 every 2 years. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Massachusetts, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Massachusetts evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Hair Braider · Massachusetts

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,500 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,500 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Hair Braider All Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Hair Braider in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts requires 1500 education/training hours, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $75. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Hair Braider in Massachusetts? ▼
Certification as a hair braider in Massachusetts means clearing the state's checklist: 1500 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Massachusetts licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Hair Braider license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
Massachusetts evaluates out-of-state hair braider licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the Massachusetts licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Hair Braider licensing? ▼
Massachusetts does require a background check before issuing a hair braider license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this hair braider license

Hair Braider in Massachusetts is one requirement row in a hair braider-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Massachusetts licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.