A new law will go into effect this summer that exempts hair braiding from the state's cosmetology rules.
Braiders are currently required to have a cosmetology license, a process that can take 1,500 hours and cost more than $10,000. Braiding, however, does not require dyes or chemicals commonly used in hair salons and is often not taught in cosmetology school.
"The other side is that I am licensed and I did go to school and there are a lot of people doing hair at home and that does take away from business."
Advocates of the change say it removes unneeded restrictions and allows skilled braiders to practice their craft without expensive schooling.
Angela Carter owns Angela's Ebony Hair Designs in Bloomington. She says, as a small business owner, she has some mixed feelings about the change.
"If you can't find somebody with a license to fill the need, then people go other places," Carter says. "That's one side of it. But, the other side is that I am licensed and I did go to school and there are a lot of people doing hair at home and that does take away from business."
Carter says in the past she's referred people elsewhere because of the lack of skilled braiders working in her shop. The new law could make it easier to recruit more braiders.
However, Carter does worry those without a cosmetology degree won't know all of the health and sanitary practices necessary in a salon.
"I think we just have to learn how to educate in a good way," Carter says. "It's a good thing but we have some challenges ahead of us."
The change goes into effect July 1.