R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-10-29

(a) The provisions and penalties of this chapter do not apply to licensed physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, registered nurses, or natural hair braiders, when acting within the scope of their professions or occupations as defined by law.

(b) Natural hair braiding. Natural hair braiding is a service of twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding hair by hand or with mechanical devices.

(1) Natural hair braiding includes:

(i) The use of natural or synthetic hair extensions, natural or synthetic hair and fibers, decorative beads, and other hair accessories;

(ii) Minor trimming of natural hair or hair extensions incidental to twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding hair;

(iii) The use of topical agents, such as conditioners, gels, moisturizers, oils, pomades, and shampoos in conjunction with hair braiding;

(iv) The making of wigs from natural hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hair extensions; and

(v) €œMechanical devices€ means clips, combs, crochet hooks, curlers, curling irons, hairpins, rollers, scissors, blunt-tipped needles, thread, and hair binders.

(2) Natural hair braiding is commonly known as €œAfrican-style hair braiding€ but is not limited to any particular cultural, ethnic, racial, or religious forms of hair styles.

(3) Natural hair braiding does not include:

(i) 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; or

(ii) The use of chemical hair joining agents, such as synthetic tape, keratin bonds, or fusion bonds.

(c) Any violation of this section shall result in a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a first violation, one hundred dollars ($100) for a second violation, and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each subsequent violation.