Section 1175.1535  Curriculum Requirements – Hair Braiding

Each licensed hair braiding school shall provide a program consisting of a minimum of 300 clock hours or a 10 credit hour equivalency (1 credit hour equals 30 clock hours) of instruction.  Instruction shall be a combination of classroom instruction and hands on (practical and technical) experience.  The licensed hair braiding school may provide online hours in theory, but online hours shall not exceed 10% of the hours required in each of subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d).  The minimum subjects and number of hours shall be as follows for each category of training:

a)         Basic Training – 35 hours:

1)         history of hair braiding;

2)         disinfection and sanitation;

3)         bacteriology;

4)         disorders and diseases of the hair and scalp;

5)         personal hygiene, public health; and

6)         professional ethics.

b)         Related Concepts – 35 hours:

1)         tools and equipment;

2)         basic styling knowledge;

3)         client consultation and face shapes;

4)         growth patterns;

5)         braid removal and scalp care;

6)         styles and sectioning; and

7)         client education, pre-care, post-care, home care and follow-up services.

c)         Practices and Procedures – 200 hours:

1)         single braids with and without extensions;

2)         cornrows with and without extensions;

3)         twists and knots;

4)         multiple strands;

5)         hair locking;

6)         weaving/sewn-in;

7)         other procedures as they relate to hair-braiding; and

8)         product knowledge as it relates to hair braiding.

d)         Business Practices – 30 hours:

1)         the Act and this Part, including sanitary standards;

2)         salon management;

3)         human relations and salesmanship; and

4)         Workers' Compensation Act.

e)         A student may practice on the public only after completing 35 hours of general theory, practical application and technical application instruction as specified in Section 3E-2 of the Act.

f)         Internship program is an optional part of the curriculum.  Each licensed hair braiding school may choose to set up an internship program and shall adhere to the following guidelines:

1)         An internship program:

A)        May be substituted for 30 hours of the 300 hours required by this Section.

B)        May be part of the curriculum of a licensed hair braiding school and shall be an organized pre-planned training program designed to allow a student to learn hair braiding under the direct supervision of a licensed cosmetologist or licensed hair braider in a registered salon.

2)         A student in the internship program:

A)        May participate in an internship program only after completing 150 hours of training with a minimum average grade of 80 out of 100.  A school may, however, set the average grade higher and set other standards that a student must meet to participate in the internship program.

B)        May not spend more than 30 hours in an internship program.

C)        May not be paid while participating in this internship program as it is a part of the hair braiding curriculum of the school.

D)        May work a maximum of 8 hours a day and shall be required to spend 1 day a week at the school.

E)        Shall be under the direct, on-site supervision of a licensed cosmetologist or licensed hair braider.  Only 1 student shall be supervised by 1 licensed cosmetologist or 1 licensed hair braider at any given time.

3)         A licensed hair braiding school shall state clearly in the enrollment agreement that the school offers an internship program.

4)         The licensed hair braiding school shall enter into a written internship contract with the student, the registered salon, and the licensed cosmetologist or licensed hair braider.  The contract shall contain all the provisions set forth in subsection (f)(2) and any other requirements of the internship established by the school.  The contract shall be signed by the student, an authorized representative of the school, and the licensed cosmetologist or licensed hair braider who will supervise the student.  Any party to the contract may terminate the contract at any time.

g)         A school may, as part of its educational program and on school premises, offer hair braiding services to the public, through a student clinic, as a means of providing students with practical experience.  Services shall be provided by students working under the supervision of one or more teachers.  Students shall receive no compensation, including tips, but shall receive credit for hours worked towards the 300-hour education requirement.  The school may provide these services under the authority of its school license and is not required to obtain a salon registration.  The school shall post a sign visible to the public advising that all services are provided by students.  Except as provided in this subsection (g), a school and a salon shall not operate in the same premises.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 15159, effective August 10, 2018)