Hair Braiding Professional

Program Description

​Professional hair braiders are in the beauty industry working with individuals providing beauty services such as braiding and styling hair, making recommendations for treating the scalp, and other hair care services.

This program features courses to understand how to build your customer base, develop your portfolio, and provide excellent customer service.  Additionally, the program teaches students how to conduct client assessments, maintain a level of client confidentiality, personal integrity, and professional standards, develop and build customer loyalty, and how to explore income opportunities.​

The student entering the program must demonstrate a strong knowledge of the techniques for cornrows, plaits, and braids or register for PDV320 Hair Braiding Basics I.

Professional hair braiders can be found in a variety of settings including beauty salons hair salons, spas, or even as independent practitioners providing freelance services or operating their own businesses.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

1. function more effectively as a hair braiding professional working with individuals providing beauty services such as styling hair, massaging, making recommendations for treating the scalp, and other hair care services;
2. maintain a level of client confidentiality, personal integrity, and professional standards;
3. build a successful hair braiding business or work in a beauty salon to develop a portfolio and income opportunities;
4. build a customer base and provide excellent customer service to build customer loyalty;
5. be proficient in conducting client assessments to understand the needs of the client; and
6. assume responsibility for continued professional and personal development through lifelong learning/continuing education. 

CCBC Pathway

Business Pathway - Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs.  Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study.  You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.

Program Credentials

CCBC Credential: Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

There is currently no license required to become a hair braider in Maryland. Students who have completed program requirements should contact program staff to verify completion and request a certificate.​

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Some CE Workforce Development Certificate Programs are eligible for early high school funding through Maryland Blueprint for qualifying BCPS high school students.  Please check with your School Counseling Office to determine your eligibility for the BCPS Tuition Benefit Program. 

Length of Training

70 hours to complete the courses and written exams.

Courses are offered at CCBC Catonsville, CCBC Essex, CCBC Owings Mills, and online.​ 

Program Requirements

PDV 320 Braiding Hair Basics or if the student can demonstrate a strong knowledge of the techniques for cornrows, plaits, and braids​​

Students should be computer literate and have Internet access.

Recommended: High School Diploma or GED; prior experience and/or interest in the beauty industry.

Minimum age: 15

​Reading and math levels should be Grade-12 English and Grade-10 for Applied Math.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application.  

​Provisional Entry – demonstrated experience braiding hair.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Program Course Sequence

A stringent attendance policy will be enforced.

There is currently no license required to become a braider in Maryland.  

Additional Information

Course Substitutions:
PDV316 may be substituted by PDV 215 Braiding Hair Basics, or if the student can demonstrate a strong knowledge of the techniques for cornrows, plaits, and braids.

Skills for Success:
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience in hair braiding basics is required for these occupations. Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training.

​Detail-oriented, dependability, self-control, ability to follow safety rules, ability to follow directions, cooperation, integrity, persistence, manual dexterity, mechanical aptitude, mathematical aptitude, ability to stand for long periods of time, and ability to lift 35 pounds. Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA.  Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

Director: Michelle McCallum | mmccallum@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-1925 | BESS 117​