Barber Licensing

What Are the Education Requirements for Becoming a Barber?

Are you ready to get behind the barber’s chair and start snipping hair and shaving faces? If so, it’s essential to make sure you get the right training and licensure first to avoid delaying the start of your barbering career.

Barbering is pretty close to cosmetology as far as what it requires of students. Training hours can vary quite a bit between states, but in general, you can expect to spend between 1500 and 2100 hours learning how to become a barber. Some states go even further and require a set amount of those hours to involve hands-on practice.

In addition to hitting the training hours required for your state, you’ll have to learn a specific set of skills that you’ll be tested on. Barbering schools tend to cover hair cutting, head and face shaving, use and sanitizing of barbering tools, chemical processes, and skin care.

Selecting the right school can give you confidence in the fact that you’ll learn important and relevant skills while meeting or exceeding your training requirements. Look for barbering schools that are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

What Are the Initial Licensing Requirements for Barbers?

Before you can begin working on your own and making a name for yourself as the best barber in town, check out the licensing requirements for your state. Depending on which state you live in, your new career may be licensed by the Board of Cosmetology or a separate Board of Barbering.

You’ll likely have to provide proof of your training hours through your school, including proof of hours worked with clients and different techniques. Once your application is accepted, you can sit for the barbering exam. The barbering exam typically includes a written part and a skills component.

After passing the test, you have to pay your licensure fee and finally get your barbering license. Fees vary between states, but you may spend between $25 and $100 on your initial licensure.

This might seem like a lot of work, especially if you’ve never worked in a licensed profession before. However, licensing is a crucial part of this field because it protects consumers and guarantees that the barbering professionals they choose have been adequately trained and tested before being allowed to work independently.

How Do I Renew my Barber’s License?

As long as you want to remain a barber, you have to keep up on the license renewal requirements of the state you live in. The vast majority of states require renewal every two years, but the schedule can differ between states. In some states, you have to renew by your birthday. In other states, all licenses expire on the same day every two years. Make sure you check out your state’s Board of Cosmetology or Board of Barbering, since missing your renewal date can cost you work opportunities and extra fees.

You may or may not have to earn continuing education credits to keep your license active. A growing number of states are requiring continuing education hours to make sure that you are totally up-to-date on the newest techniques and standards in your field. Among the states that do require continuing education, CEU hours tend to range from four hours per two-year period to 12 hours per two-year period.

Barber Licensing Requirements By State

Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming

Can I Transfer My Barber’s License to Another State?

While reading about the licensing requirements for your home state, you might be starting to wonder if you are stuck in your state once you get your license. Luckily, most states have reciprocity and license transfer agreements that give you the chance to take your barbering license to another state.

To qualify for reciprocity, the requirements you meet to get your first barber’s license must be equal to or greater than the licensing requirements in the state you are moving to. If you have fewer training hours than what you need, you may be able to make them up in your new state or with work experience.

This can be a costly process, since you have to pay fees at every turn. First, you’ll likely have to pay your home state to send proof of licensure to your new state. Then, you must pay the reciprocity fee in your new state, which is often between $50 and $100. If you have to take any additional tests or enroll in training courses, you may have to come up with additional money for those expenses.

Be sure to investigate what it takes in your state to get licensed as a barber, so you are prepared to make the best decision about school and training.

It’s time to take your passion for looking good and stylish to the next level. Contact barbering schools near you to learn more about your training options.

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