You do not need a license to take any of our courses if you solely work on your own hair. If you intend to serve clients for income you may need a license.
If you seek a license for dreadlocks, you will often need a “Braiding License”. There is no official “Dreadlock License”.
Each state and each country has its own requirements and labels for a license. Some states do not require a license at all, some states require a braiding license, and some states require a full cosmetology license. Each license within each state has different requirements such as hourly experience or an affiliation with a salon. It is your responsibility to understand Licensing Requirements in your state. A simple Google search will get you started.
Many people view these licensure requirements as an unfair barrier to entry. For example, a cosmetology license in most states require the licensee to complete approximately 1,000-1,500 hours of class at a cost around $5,000-$15,000. The overwhelming majority of these classes do not provide any dreadlock skills. This is an obnoxious amount of time and energy spent which doesn’t provide you with any practical dreadlock skills.
On the other hand, there are states that do not require any license at all. And some states with much more mild requirements such as a Braiding License for a fraction of the time and money of a full Cosmetology license.
After reading many articles and watching videos on this topic over the years it’s quite clear that many individuals are working without a license, especially in the strictest states.
Understanding and obtaining a license to work with dreadlocks in your state, or lack thereof, is 100% your responsibility. By no means will we be held responsible for any actions you take if you decide to avoid licensure.
All of the above information also applies to countries outside the United States. It is your responsibility to understand your local laws and regulations.
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