How Long Does Barber School Take? - The Salon Chair Guys

If you are searching for a new career with a passion for hairstyling and barbershop business, now is the perfect time to enroll at a barber school. It is a career path open to anyone and everyone.

A good barber school teaches the students not only haircuts and hairstyles but also gives intensive training on customer service and business operation. You’ll graduate prepared and ready to start working from day one — in fact, many students land their first job even before graduating.

Who Can Become A Barber?

Generally, anyone can enroll in barber school and take on this career path. To enroll, you usually have to be at least 16 years old and have either a high school diploma or a GED. You will then need a training program in an approved beauty or barber school to apply for a license. Although, some states in the US allow you to choose apprenticeship instead of schooling to get the required training hours (usually twice the length of barber school).

Men and women both are welcomed in this industry. Even though it used to be a male-dominated field, a 2017 report by USA Today shows that 16% of professional barbers are women.

How Long Does Barber School Take?

How long it will take you to become a licensed barber depends on various factors. The amount of training hours required to become a barber varies from 1600 hours to 2000 hours state by state. Most people will complete a training program at a school in 12 to 24 months.

A barber school, on average, requires 1,500 hours which takes roughly about 10 months with full enrollment. During this time, students will receive hands-on training and take coursework in theory. These programs usually award you a barbering certificate when you graduate. Sometimes, barber programs are available through colleges that offer students the opportunity to work toward other wellness and beauty-related positions requiring additional time.

What Do You Learn in Barber School?

Barber school students learn techniques of hairstyling, haircutting, shaving, and more. A typical barber school curriculum will consist of the following:

• Hairstyling
• Permanent waving and chemical straightening
• Hair coloring and bleaching
• Haircutting
• Shaving
• Preparation and performance
• Laws and regulations
• Health and safety considerations
• Disinfection and sanitation
• Anatomy and physiology

How Long Does It Take to Get a Barber License?

As soon as you complete a barber program, you can apply for a licensing exam in your state. Once the board reviews your application, they will notify you of your eligibility to take the exam. The length and the type of exam depend on the state.

For example, the barber exam in California consists of both written and practical sections. The total exam time can take up to five hours with an hour and a half long written test and three hours long practical test. Additionally, you will need to renew your license at a specific frequency required by your state with an additional renewal fee.

Hairstyling is a booming industry with loads of youths seeking out a career as a barber. If you have the passion and drive, it’s time to enroll yourself in a good barber school and start your career as an aspiring barber.

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