How to Get a Barber License

If your dream is to become a barber and cut hair for a living, you will first need to become licensed. You can receive a barber's license by attending classes at an accredited barber school. Many schools require you to have hands on training before taking your exam, while some provide all of the hands on training at the barber school.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Transportation
• Money for the state exam

How to Get a Barber License

1. Find a barber school in your state by looking up a nearby location on the Ed-resource website. Contact the barber school and set up an appointment to go in and meet with the Admissions Representative.

2. Attend the appointment with an Admissions Representative at the barber school of your choice and complete the application process.

3. Fill out a financial aid application and apply for financial aid through a grant or obtain a federally funded student loan through Sallie Mae to pay for your schooling.

4. Enroll for classes at the barber school and begin your schooling to obtain your barber license. Complete the minimum of 1500 hours of study to become a barber plus the additional required amount of hours per your state's requirements.

5. Prepare to take your state barber exam after you have graduated from barber school. Study your books and refresh yourself by summarizing your old tests. This will give you a good predictor as to what questions you will be asked to answer on your state barber exam.

6. Contact the barber review board in your state; your barber school instructor will give you the exact information as to what number to call. Attend on the specified date time and take your state barber exam. Be sure to bring the required fee for taking the barber exam with you on the day of the exam, there are no refunds on the exam fee if you do not complete the test or if you fail the test.

7. Receive a decision in the mail within two to four weeks from the barber review board informing you if you have passed the state barber exam. If you have passed you will also receive your barber's license at the same time. If you failed the test, you will have to reschedule a time to retake the test at a future date.

Tips & Warnings

• Barber school must completed in the allotted time frame, you can not go back and make up hours without having to retake the entire class.
• Financial aid should cover the cost of books and barber tools that you will need to learn how to provide a haircut.
• Financial aid does not pay for the state barber exam.
• The required amount of hours to become a licensed barber vary by state, be sure to ask your guidance counselor for a specific answer.
• Be sure to ask your teacher the exact number of required hours you will need to attend school as the exact number of required hours vary from state to state.

Resources

• Ed reference
• Federal student aid
• Sallie Mae