New Illinois hair braiding law takes effect in January
Hair braiders will have a modified cosmetology license
December 27, 2010
By Natalie Moore
(Getty/Ian Waldie)
A new Illinois law that takes effect in January will lessen the amount of training required for hair braiders.
African hair braiding is seen as a cultural art. The practice came from Africa and spread to America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Illinois law requires that braiders have a full cosmetology license. But most do not.
Salon owners balked because they say they don’t deal with chemicals or other cosmetology methods.
A new law strikes a compromise. It requires 300 hours of training in sanitation methods to receive a hair braider’s license. Current hair braiders with experience would be able to get grandfathered in. Later they'd have to get yearly continuing education.
Conversely, a full cosmetology license requires 1,500 hours of training.
Supporters of the revised requirements say this will help hair braiding shops stay in business.
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