(A) Only those individuals who are licensed to practice barbering or cosmetology or who are registered to practice hair braiding in this State may engage in the practice of hair braiding or perform hair braiding services in this State.

(B) All implements used in connection with hair braiding must be disposable or must be sanitized in a disinfectant approved for hospital use or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for commercial use.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 40-7-255

  • Hair braiding: means the weaving or interweaving of natural human hair for compensation without cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, removing, or chemical treatment. See South Carolina Code 40-7-20

(C) To practice hair braiding in this State an individual shall:

(1) apply to the board for registration in a manner prescribed by the board;

(2) provide satisfactory proof of successful completion of a one-day, six-hour board-approved hair braiding course;

(3) pass an examination administered by the board; and

(4) pay a twenty-five dollar registration fee.

(D) The hair braiding course shall include instruction regarding:

(1) sanitation and sterilization including:

(a) universal sanitation and sterilization precautions;

(b) how to distinguish between disinfectants and antiseptics; and

(c) how to sanitize hands and disinfect tools used in the practice of hair braiding;

(2) disorders and diseases of the scalp, including:

(a) how to distinguish between these disorders and diseases; and

(b) when hair braiding services can be performed on a client with disorders or diseases of the scalp;

(3) where and when an individual may legally practice hair braiding; and

(4) the procedures, fees, and requirements for renewal of a hair braiding registration.

(E) Registration to practice hair braiding is valid for two years or until the end of the biennial licensure renewal cycle in which the registration is first issued, whichever occurs first. The holder of a registration to practice hair braiding shall renew his or her registration by paying the renewal fee.

(F) An individual currently engaging in the practice of hair braiding on the effective date of this act has one year from the effective date to complete the registration requirements as provided for in this section.