Braiding hair without a cosmetology license is now a crime, according to a Georgia law. Braiding is defined as the act of hair weaving, interlocking, twisting, plaiting, wrapping by hand, and wrapping hair by chemical or mechanical devices.
This information may not be a cause for concern for the estimated 41,500 licensed cosmetologists, however, the undocumented number of unlicensed braid stylist have more cause for concern because they are now seen as a "menace and nuisance" to the public health, safety and welfare, according to Georgia law.
An unlicensed 25-year, self-taught, veteran braid stylist and grandmother of two, uses the money to supplement her income. Toni-Shae Redway, a full-time Georgia State student and nine-year braid stylist uses the money she makes to supplement her income.
"I just don't see the point [of getting a cosmetology license]," admitted Redway. The only reason that would encourage Redway to go to beauty school would be if she ever decided to work in a professional salon.
Random, unannounced visits by inspectors happen once a year at hair salons, according to Cara Hodgson, a public information officer of the Georgia State Cosmetology Board. The law empowers the seven members of Georgia's Cosmetology Board to forbid any person from practicing cosmetology within the state if caught practicing without a license.
Originally, the basic barriers of entering the business of braiding included the ability to braid and a place to operate. These few barriers allowed a large amount of people to open braiding businesses. Yet, the Georgia law's cosmetologist license requirement changed that privilege.
The $45 license exam consists of two parts: a written portion and a practical portion.
The practical portion of the exam is a breeze, assured licensed cosmetologist D. Moore, but "[the judges constantly watching] does put a lot of pressure on you."
Of the 200 people who take the exam each month, 80-100 receive their licenses, estimates Sharon Kamma, an application specialist/office manager of the Georgia State Cosmetology Board.
Before prospective licensees may even take the exam, they must attend a cosmetology school for 1500 hours or an apprenticeship for 3000 hours. There are no courses, however, specializing in braiding. Students must take the entire course, which includes classes such as shampooing, finger waving, pressing and salon deportment. Cosmetology schools may range from $2300 to almost $10,000 and may take nine to 11 months to complete. The curriculum comprises nail, hair and skin care, and even includes learning about the human circulation system.
Supervisor of Business Regulation and Inspection, Diane Yawn, could not explain the reason for this new law. Other states implemented similar laws out of concern for sanitation, yet Georgia's regulations require schools to dedicate roughly 150 hours to theories of sanitation.
The Georgia law requires a license for braiders but does not require cosmetology schools to teach braiding. Regulations leave that as an option for the curriculum; some schools choose to offer braiding, while others do not.
Moore believes everyone, regardless if one is a traditional stylist or a natural hair care stylist, benefits from the scientific aspects of the class.
People do need to know the basics of hair care, agreed Rosalinn Parker, a licensed cosmetologist who has been braiding for over ten years. Stylists should know how much tension, how long to keep braids and that a perm is not needed in order to braid their hair.
Ultimately, a license assures consumers that the stylist they seek knows not only how to style hair, but also how to take care of their hair.
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