What You Need to Know About Barber School

WRITTEN BY Sarah Mattie | EDITED BY Ana Economides | UPDATED ON 02/29/2024

Welcome to the Beauty Schools Directory's barber school resource hub! Here, we'll talk about getting started in barbering, with an overview of what the barbering profession includes, what to expect from barber school, enrollment requirements, and links to help you kick off your career.

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What Is Barber School?

Barber schools teach how to cut, groom, and style short hair and facial hair through classroom and hands-on work. In addition to these expected skills, you should also learn the relevant science, business skills, interpersonal relationships, and state regulations. And as this is a licensed field, you should be prepared for state exams.

There are two ways of getting trained in barbering: Barber school and barbering apprenticeships. Barber programs may be offered in a standalone barber school that focuses exclusively on training future barbers, or through beauty schools that offer barber training alongside programs for cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and more.

People crossing over between barbering and cosmetology is also pretty common. If you already have a cosmetology license, then going back to school to pick up the additional barber training is usually much quicker than starting from scratch.

What Do You Learn in Barber School?

Each state has a unique barber school curriculum, but all focus on hair from the neck up. Classes often include topics on the for barbers. However, some states create other tests and define their required coursework accordingly.

Regardless of the type of exam administered in a state, typical barbering coursework includes:

Anatomy and physiology
Customer service and business skills
Facial hair services
Hair design and treatments
Safety, sanitation, and infection control
Skin and hair conditions
Skincare
State laws and rules
Tools and equipment, including straight razors

How Much Is Barber School?

Barber school costs vary by state and program but usually range between $8,000 and $,000, with an average of roughly $14,000, according to a Beauty Schools Directory analysis. Program length, cost of living, and type of school (community college, independent, or well-known brand) all affect the cost of barber school.

You can reduce barber school costs by getting scholarships and other financial aid.

How Long Does Barber School Take?

Barber school often runs for about 1,000 to 1,500 hours, according to a Beauty Schools Directory analysis, which usually translates to less than a year of full-time attendance. The exact length of an approved barber program depends on your state, however. Find our more about barber school requirements in your state and calculate your estimated program completion date using our training hours calculator.

How Do I Know Which Barber School Is Right for Me?

When choosing a barber school, consider your needs and career goals. The best barber schools for others may not be the best for you. A few things to consider when researching are:

Student reviews: Did students have a great experience and feel they received adequate barbering career preparation?
Course offerings: Does the school offer everything you want to learn?
Upcoming class start dates: Can you start a program when it works for you?
Class schedules: Does the school offer classes when you can attend them?
School costs vs. your budget: Can you afford this program?

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Barber School Enrollment Requirements

Barber school enrollment requirements vary by state and school. If you're interested in barber school, typical steps include to:

Provide personal information such as your age and address
Interview and apply
Pay an application fee and/or deposit
Submit your high school diploma or GED, state ID, and proof of residency or citizenship
Turn in relevant financial aid details, such as by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Typically, it's your state's board of barbering or cosmetology that sets the rules for who can earn a barber license. It's best to ensure you fulfill all barber license requirements in your state before beginning barber school so you don't spend unnecessary time and money. For example, state licensing requirements could include showing you speak and write English beyond a 10th-grade level.

Barber Apprenticeships

Barber apprenticeships are more common than those in other beauty fields, though not every state allows them. When offered as a path to licensure, apprenticeships often take twice as many hours as barber school programs, but you are paid for your onsite training hours.

When choosing between the two, you should consider many factors, such as how much one-on-one training you want, how comfortable you are being thrown into client work right away, whether you can afford to attend barber school, and how quickly you want to complete training.

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