Hair Braiding Schools in Idaho

Browse our directory of hair braiding schools in Idaho, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair braiding licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Hair Braider in Idaho

Hair braiding is a traditional hair styling method with its roots in Africa, where the skills needed to do it were handed down from one generation to the next over centuries. In the past two decades or so, it has become a popular hair styling method in the United States, as well. Hair braiding offers a style that doesn't require harsh chemical treatment, such as hair straighteners, so it is often seen as a "natural" alternative. Braided hair is distinctive, attractive, low-maintenance, and long lasting — some very attractive features. There are five traditional methods of braiding hair: braiding, cornrowing, weaving, twisting, and locking.

State License Requirements

Individuals wanting to practice hair braiding in Idaho need to possess a license administered by the Idaho Board of Cosmetology — Bureau of Occupational Licenses. To be eligible for the license, they must complete 900 hours of instruction in hairstyling and design at an accredited school. These schools include schools of cosmetology, located throughout the state, and some community colleges which offer programs leading to a two year associates degree. After you have completed your program, you can take the licensing exam which consists of two parts: a theoretical (written) and a practical. When you have passed and paid the requisite fee, you will receive the license you need to practice hair braiding among other hair skills.

Education Details

In either program, you will learn all aspects of hair care and hair styling including shampooing and conditioning, cutting, styling and design, coloring, highlighting, perming and straightening. You will learn about the anatomy and physiology of skin and care and disease of each. There will be courses that focus on the techniques and tools used in various hair procedures, as well as sterilization and sanitation methods needed to meet Idaho regulations. There may also be some courses on running a business in the beauty industry. You will view trained professionals performing these services on video and on live models and, eventually, you will perform these services on live humans.

Idaho Hair Braiding Careers

According to statistics from O*Net, the average salary earned by hairdressers in Idaho in 2013, the most recent year for which such statistics are available, was $19,200. Of course, this is just an average. If you possess a specialty skill, such as hair braiding, you may be able to command a higher fee, especially as your experience and your reputation in the community grow. If you open a hair braiding salon dedicated exclusively to the art of hair braiding, you stand to earn even more as a business owner, and many hair braiding practitioners choose to go this route. The field of hairstyling, hairdressing and cosmetology is expected to experience growth between 8% and 14% between 2012 and 2022, meaning that there should be jobs available to graduates of hairstyling schools and programs.

Most people who practice hair braiding start out working in a spa or beauty salon, offering their art as a specialty. Some go on to open their own hair braiding studio. In either case, your work will be one-on-one with individual clients. Since it is very time consuming to braid an entire head of hair, you may find yourself working with only a few clients a day. Hair braiding is a painstaking activity that requires excellent fine motor skills. Because you are spending such a long time with many clients, it is important to be personable and a good listener. Many hair clients like to talk while they are having their hair worked on, often about themselves and personal matters, and you need to be able to listen well and act discretely. If you do open your own hair braiding studio, you will have all the responsibilities and rewards of running a business, in addition to offering the skill of hair braiding to your clients.

Contact the Idaho State Board of Cosmetology

Idaho is experiencing an increase in established hair care professionals across the state, and it’s expected to continue into the next decade. To satisfy the requests of clients, these stylists find it necessary to have a bevy of techniques in their arsenal including hair braiding. Those interested find out more through these groups.

American Association of Cosmetology Schools
Professional Beauty Association