Why not regulate professional braiders?

The Pennsylvania House Professional Licensure committee is considering a bill that would… The Pennsylvania House Professional Licensure committee is considering a bill that would require professional hair braiders to obtain licenses to practice their art – much like cosmetologists are required to have licenses allowing them to cut or color hair.

The bill would require less than 300 hours of schooling and an exam on techniques, sanitation and safety. Braiders who’ve been working more than three years would be granted a temporary, nine-month license and would be exempt from the schooling – they’d be eligible for a permanent one simply by taking the exam.

State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, D-Philadelphia, introduced the bill after more than 25 braiders in his district were fined for operating without a cosmetology license. The braiding license would be specific to braiding and wouldn’t require training in cutting or coloring hair.

The license, while surely a new source of paperwork and anxiety, is a good idea, and competent braiders who take pride in their work should welcome it.

While intellectually, everyone knows that one’s hair is but a cosmetic concern, no one wants their look mangled. Sure, it grows back, and it’s only appearance on the line – but realistically, these are serious concerns. When someone goes to a professional braider, they expect to look better afterward – or at least not worse. And the potential complications of a botched braid-job are nothing to sneeze at. An incompetent braider can seriously hurt a customer, or even cause hair loss.

Licensing could help prevent one of the latest scourges of American society – frivolous lawsuits. If someone really thinks they can sue a restaurant for making them fat, doesn’t it seem obvious that somewhere, someone’s going to sue over bad braids? Licensing could weed out incompetent braiders.

And skilled practitioners should embrace regulation, too. Getting rid of braiders who don’t know what they are doing will drive business to artists who are proven to be competent, safe professionals.

No one is allowed to professionally cut or color hair without a license. Heck, you can’t get your toes prettied up professionally without a licensing body being involved somewhere. Braiding is no less an art form then cutting, coloring or sculpting, and should be respected and regulated as such.