posted on: 04/02/2025
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed into law Senate File 113 (SF 113), exempting natural hair braiding from licensing requirements. This exemption applies to individuals performing only natural hair braiding services and no other form of barbering or cosmetology.
Note: A salon owner may require private certification demonstrating a natural hair braider’s skills and competency if the owner chooses.
Definitions
SF 113 also creates new definitions to help natural hair braiders and the public understand what services may be performed without a license and what tools are used while performing natural hair braiding services.
Natural hair braiding means the practice of twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding a person's hair by hand or with a braiding device, decorative beads, or other hair accessories. The practice includes minor trimming of natural hair or hair extensions and creating and lacing wigs from natural hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or hair extensions.
Natural hair braiding includes using topical agents, such as:
- Conditioners
- Gels
- Moisturizers
- Oils
- Pomades
Natural hair braiding does not include the application or use of:
- Dyes
- Reactive chemicals to color a person’s hair
- Preparations to straighten, curl, or alter the structure of a person's hair
- Chemical hair-joining agents (synthetic tape, keratin bonds, or fusion bonds)
Braiding device means a clip, comb, crochet hook, curlers, hairpin, rollers, scissors, blunt-tipped needles, thread, and hair binders.
Effective immediately