Complete the 16-hour Health & Hygiene course, receive your certificate, and complete Tennessee’s Registered Hair Braider registration process.
If you want to braid hair professionally in Tennessee, there are a few important steps you need to understand before you start accepting clients.
You may hear people say they need a “Tennessee hair braiding license.” However, Tennessee officially uses the term Registered Hair Braider for this registration.
The process is fairly simple when you understand the difference between the required 16-hour Health & Hygiene training and the separate Registered Hair Braider registration.
This guide will walk you through the process step by step.
Important: Requirements can change. Always check the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners for the most current rules before applying.
Tennessee Hair Braider Registration at a Glance
Here is the process in simple terms:
Step 1: Complete the required 16-hour Health & Hygiene training.
Step 2: Receive your certificate of completion.
Step 3: Complete the Registered Hair Braider application through Tennessee.
Step 4: Pay the registration fee.
Step 5: Keep your certificate and registration information for your records.
Let’s look at each step in more detail.
Step 1: Complete Tennessee’s 16-Hour Health & Hygiene Course
Before providing hair braiding services for compensation in Tennessee, a person must complete 16 hours of training in health and hygiene.
Tennessee allows this training to be completed in person or online.
The purpose of the training is to help hair braiders understand important health and sanitation practices when working with clients.
Your training should cover topics that help you understand how to maintain a clean and safe environment while providing hair braiding services.
What does the 16-hour course have to do with hair braiding?
A lot.
Braiders work closely with clients and their hair and scalp. Good hygiene practices help protect both the braider and the client.
Your training can help you understand topics such as:
- Proper sanitation
- Hygiene practices
- Preventing the spread of infection
- Safe handling of tools and supplies
- Cleaning your work area
- Client safety
- Basic health and sanitation practices
The goal is not simply to complete 16 hours.
The goal is to understand why health and hygiene matter when you work with the public.
Step 2: Receive Your Certificate of Completion
After completing the required training, you should receive a certificate indicating that you attended the training.
This certificate is important.
Do not throw it away or assume that you will never need it again.
Tennessee requires hair braiders to retain and display the certificate upon request.
That means you should keep your certificate somewhere safe and easy to access.
Tip: Keep a digital copy too
Once you receive your certificate, save a digital copy.
You can:
- Download it to your computer
- Save it to your phone
- Store it in cloud storage
- Print an extra copy
- Keep the original in a safe place
Having a backup can save you a lot of trouble later.
Step 3: Complete the Registered Hair Braider Application
Completing the 16-hour course is an important step, but it is not the same thing as completing your Tennessee registration.
This is one of the biggest points new braiders need to understand.
You complete the training first.
Then you complete the Registered Hair Braider Application with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
The state provides an online application through its CORE system.
Before you begin your application, make sure you have your information available and carefully follow the instructions provided by the state.
What is the difference between the course and registration?
Think of it this way:
The course = your required health and hygiene training.
The certificate = proof that you completed the training.
The registration = your separate registration with Tennessee as a Registered Hair Braider.
You need to understand all three parts.
Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee
Tennessee currently lists a $30 fee for the Registered Hair Braider application.
The course fee and the state registration fee are separate.
For example, if you purchase a 16-hour course from a training provider, that payment does not automatically pay your Tennessee registration fee.
You should plan for both costs.
Your basic cost checklist
16-hour training: Paid to your course provider.
Certificate: Issued by the training provider after completing the required training.
Registered Hair Braider application: Completed through Tennessee.
State registration fee: Currently $30.
Always check the Tennessee Board’s website for the current fee before submitting your application.
Step 5: Understand What a Tennessee Registered Hair Braider Can Do
Tennessee defines hair braiding as techniques that create tension on the hair strands.
This includes services such as:
- Braiding
- Twisting
- Wrapping
- Weaving
- Extending
- Locking
These services can be performed by hand or with mechanical appliances.
However, the state’s definition also places limits on hair braiding services.
Hair braiding registration does not mean that you can perform every type of hair service.
For example, the state’s hair braider definition excludes services involving:
- Cutting
- Coloring
- Relaxing
- Chemical treatments
- Other preparations used to straighten, curl, or alter the structure of the hair
This is very important.
If you want to perform services outside the state’s definition of hair braiding, you may need a different license or credential.
Do not assume that being a Registered Hair Braider gives you permission to perform services that are outside the state’s hair braiding definition.
Is a Hair Braider Registration the Same as a Natural Hair Stylist License?
No.
This is another important difference.
Tennessee has a separate Natural Hair Stylist license.
The requirements for a Natural Hair Stylist are different from the requirements for a Registered Hair Braider.
The Tennessee Board states that the Natural Hair Stylist license requires at least 300 hours of instruction, along with examination requirements.
The Registered Hair Braider pathway is different.
For a Registered Hair Braider, Tennessee requires the 16-hour Health & Hygiene training and registration.
So if your goal is specifically to provide services that fall within Tennessee’s definition of hair braiding, make sure you are following the requirements for the Registered Hair Braider category.
Do You Have to Be a Certain Age?
Yes.
Tennessee currently lists 14 years old as the minimum age for Registered Hair Braider registration.
If you are younger than 14, you should review the state’s current requirements before planning to register.
What Happens After You Register?
Once you have completed the required training and registration process, you should keep your records organized.
Create a folder for your hair braiding business.
You may want to keep:
- Your 16-hour certificate
- Your registration information
- Business documents
- Client forms
- Sanitation procedures
- Insurance information
- Business licenses or tax documents
- Training records
Keeping your documents organized from the beginning can make running your business much easier.
What About Starting a Hair Braiding Business?
Completing your Tennessee registration is only one part of becoming a successful braider.
If you want to turn your braiding skills into a business, you also need to think about the business side.
For example, you may need to learn about:
Business setup
Depending on your situation, you may need to choose a business structure and take care of state or local business requirements.
Pricing
You need to know how much to charge for your time, supplies, hair, overhead, and other business expenses.
Client policies
Consider creating clear policies for:
- Deposits
- Cancellations
- Late arrivals
- Rescheduling
- No-shows
- Children
- Hair preparation
- Payments
Marketing
You also need a way for potential clients to find you.
This could include:
- TikTok
- Google Business Profile
- A website
- Referrals
- Local networking
Money management
Your business should have a system for tracking income and expenses.
The goal is not simply to become a braider.
The goal is to build a braiding business that you can manage and grow.
Tennessee Hair Braider Registration Checklist
Use this checklist to keep track of your progress.
Training
☐ Complete the 16-hour Health & Hygiene course
☐ Complete all required course work
☐ Receive your certificate of completion
☐ Save a digital copy of your certificate
Registration
☐ Review Tennessee’s Registered Hair Braider requirements
☐ Complete the Registered Hair Braider application
☐ Pay the current state registration fee
☐ Save your registration information
Business
☐ Learn the services you are legally permitted to provide
☐ Set your prices
☐ Create client policies
☐ Set up a system for payments and records
☐ Create a marketing plan
☐ Continue learning about business
Ready to Complete Your 16-Hour Course?
If you are ready to complete your Tennessee 16-hour Health & Hygiene training, A’s Hair Academy offers the course online.
Tennessee 16-Hour Health & Hygiene Course
✨ 16-hour Health & Hygiene training
💻 100% online
⚡ Immediate access
📜 Certificate of completion
$55
You can complete the course online and work through the material at your own pace.
ENROLL IN THE TENNESSEE 16-HOUR COURSE
Final Thoughts
Becoming a Registered Hair Braider in Tennessee does not have to feel confusing.
The process can be broken down into a few basic steps:
Complete your 16-hour Health & Hygiene training.
Receive your certificate.
Complete the Registered Hair Braider application.
Pay the state registration fee.
Keep your records organized.
Then you can focus on the next part of your journey: building your skills, serving your clients, and growing your business.
Remember, the 16-hour course and the Tennessee registration are separate steps. Completing your course does not automatically complete your state registration.
Before submitting your application, always check the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners website for the most current requirements, fees, and application instructions.
Ready to get started?
Complete your Tennessee 16-Hour Health & Hygiene Course online with A’s Hair Academy.
Immediate access • $55 • Certificate of Completion
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