Mississippi Code Title 73. Professions and Vocations § 73-7-71

(1) For the purpose of this section, the term “hair braiding” means the use of techniques that result in tension on hair strands or roots by twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding of the hair by hand or mechanical device, but does not include the application of dyes, reactive chemicals, or other preparations to alter the color of the hair or to straighten, curl or alter the structure of the hair.

(2) No person shall engage in hair braiding for compensation in the State of Mississippi without first registering with the State Department of Health. The department may charge each registrant a fee of not more than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) to cover the department's costs in registering the person and providing the person with the brochure prepared under subsection (3) of this section, which fee shall be uniform for all registrants. Any increase in the fee charged by the board under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. The purpose of this registration is only to maintain a listing of those persons who engage in hair braiding for compensation in the state, and does not authorize the department to license or regulate the practice of hair braiding in the state, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(3) The State Department of Health shall develop and prepare a brochure containing information about infection control techniques that are appropriate for hair braiding in or outside of a salon/barber shop setting. The brochure shall be made available through the department's website or by mail, upon request, for a fee to cover the department's mailing costs. The brochure shall contain a self-test with questions on the information contained in the brochure. For a person engaged in hair braiding to be exempt from the cosmetology and barbering licensure law, Section 73-7-1 et seq., the person shall complete the self-test part of the brochure and keep the brochure and completed self-test available at the location at which the person is engaged in hair braiding.

(4) Representatives of the department may visit any facility or premises in which hair braiding is performed at any time during business hours to determine if the brochure and completed self-test are available at the facility or premises.

(5) This section does not apply to cosmetologists, or barbers licensed to practice in Mississippi in their respective fields.