How to Become a Barber in Utah
- 1,000 education hours or 1,250 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for barbers in Utah is $29,910.
- There is a predicted 41% job increase for barbers between 2021-2031 .
To become a barber in Utah, you must complete a barber program or apprenticeship, pass a written theory and practical exam, and submit an online application with a $60 initial licensing fee.
If you have a criminal record, check if your offenses meet the guidelines to get your barber license. The board reviews the circumstances behind serious crimes to decide if you should be able to practice as a barber or not.
What To Expect From a Barber Program in Utah
1,000 Education Hours
Required to earn a barber license
Barber programs in Utah include 1,000 hours of instruction, cannot be less than 25 weeks, and cover topics like safety and sanitation, business management, and training in all standard barbering services.
Specifically, the required Utah barber curriculum includes the following:
- Anatomy
- Barber Equipment
- Barbering Science
- Business Management
- Chemistry of Barbering
- Electives
- First Aid
- Hair and Scalp Analysis
- Hair and Scalp Diseases and Disorders
- Hair Styling and Hair Cutting
- Hair, Skin, and Scalp Properties
- Immune System
- Intro to Barbering
- Legal Issues and Laws
- Mustache and Beard Design
- Personal, Client, and Shop Safety
- Shaving and Razor Cutting
- Test Review
Utah Barber Licensing Requirements
To get your Utah barber license, you must complete training, pass the NIC theory and practical exams, and apply for your license.
You can register for your exams online after you have completed your barber program or apprenticeship. You’re required to pay $96 for the written exam and $98 for the practical exam.
The written exam includes questions on:
- Scientific concepts like safety, human anatomy and physiology, skin conditions and disorders, etc.
- Implements and equipment, like how to use common barbering tools safely
- Hair care services, like client consultations, hair care, hair design, and head shaving
- Facial hair and skin care services, like client consultations, draping for shaving and facial services, and shaving
You have 90 minutes to complete the 60 questions on the exam.
The practical exam involves performing standard barbering services, including:
- 10 minutes to set up your work area, client, and supplies
- 40 minutes for haircutting
- 15 minutes to set up a workstation for a new client and supplies for shaving
- 10 minutes to perform the proper blood exposure procedure
- Time varies to perform common shaves
You need 70% to pass your exams.
After completing your training and passing your tests, you can apply for your license and begin your barber career.
Can I Apprentice as a Barber in Utah?
1,250 Apprentice Hours
Required to earn a barber license
Yes, you can get your Utah barber license through an apprenticeship instead of attending a formal program.
Some conditions of Utah barber apprenticeships include:
- Constant supervision from a licensed barber instructor
- 40 training hours, five days per week
- Similar training to the Utah barber program curriculum
- Start working on clients after completing 10% of your technical training hours
- Instructor tracks your hours and submits them to the board.
Utah Barber License Reciprocity
If you have a barber’s license in another state, you may be eligible for a license in Utah. To qualify, you must have held your license for at least a year and have passed the NIC written and theory exams. If different exams were required for licensure in the state you earned your license in, you need to take both exams to qualify for your Utah barber’s license.
To get your reciprocity license, you can complete an online form. You need to submit proof of your licensure along with your application.
Military members and their spouses can waive the reciprocity licensure fees, typically $52.
Barber License Renewal in Utah
2 Years
License renewal period
0 Hours
Continuing education required
Utah barbers must renew their licenses every two years. The deadline is September 30 of odd-numbered years. There’s a $52 fee to renew your license, and you can do so online.
Utah does not require barbers to take continuing education to renew licenses. However, keeping current on industry news, techniques, and tools is always wise.
Barber Salary and Projected Job Growth in Utah
$29,910
Average yearly salary for barbers in Utah
Utah barbers earn an average yearly salary of $29,910, or $14.38 per hour. Salaries in the state range from $22,200 to $60,910, on average. Those working in Salt Lake City, Utah’s largest city, earn a median salary of $27,160. Barber jobs in Utah are projected to grow by a whopping 41% between 2021 and 2031.
Contact the Utah Division of Professional Licensing - Cosmetology
Resources for Barbers in Utah
Utah Barber Network Facebook Group
Get industry news and network
Cosmetology Utah Licensing FAQs
Answers to your most asked questions from the Utah licensing board
