Hair Braider / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana Hair Braider License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the Montana data shows for Hair Braiders

Montana sets the entry bar for hair braiders at 1,500 training hours and a passing score on a state-approved exam. A background check is a standard part of the process. The credential is administered under Montana's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Budget $75 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Montana, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Montana handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Montana

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 Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Hair Braider in Montana? ▼
Montana 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 Montana? ▼
To become a licensed hair braider in Montana, you must meet the state's requirements including 1500 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Montana licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Hair Braider license to Montana from another state? ▼
Montana doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for hair braiders; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Montana licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Montana require a background check for Hair Braider licensing? ▼
Montana 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 Montana is one requirement row in a hair braider-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Montana's hair braider requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Hair Braider in every state
  • Read the general portability rules before moving an existing license to a new state. Transfer guide
  • See how Montana's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Montana overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Montana 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.