Hair Braider / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Hair Braider License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the Tennessee data shows for Hair Braiders

Becoming a licensed hair braider in Tennessee means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,500 training hours, a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a background history check. Tennessee 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. Tennessee doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

There's no published reciprocity list here - Tennessee reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Tennessee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Hair Braider in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee 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 Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee licenses hair braiders who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Tennessee licensing board.
Can I transfer my Hair Braider license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Out-of-state hair braider credentials get a case-by-case review in Tennessee rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Tennessee licensing board.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Hair Braider licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the hair braider licensing process in Tennessee. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

Related Guides

What to do with this hair braider license

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

  • See how Tennessee'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 Tennessee's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Tennessee overview

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