Getting a barber license is slightly different in each state of the United States. This means that there is a different amount of study that needs to be completed and other requirements before you can finally get the license. Don’t worry; these requirements are not that different from each other! To know how to get a barber license in Arkansas, California, Michigan, Georgia, Virginia, and Ohio, keep on reading this article.
Barber license requirements in Arkansas
This southeastern US state is a very popular place for barbers and people who want to express themselves creatively. Moreover, it is a very affordable state to live in, so the education for barbering is cheap as well.
There are two ways to become a barber in Arkansas, first is the typical way. In this, you apply to a state-approved barbering school and complete at least 1,500 hours of study here. This includes both practical and theoretical work. The theoretical syllabus typically consists of the history of barbering, hygiene, bacteriology, scalp and hair treatment, chemistry, anatomy, and Arkansas State barbering laws. The practical part of the course will teach you shaving, haircutting, bleaching, coloring, shampooing, massaging, styling, and much more.
The other way to become a barber is by the cosmetology crossover program. This one is for cosmetologists that want to become licensed barbers. First of all, you need to enroll in a state-approved barbering school where you have to complete a work-study program. This includes the initial 100 hours of barbering school and getting a temporary license. In total, you will complete 600 hours of study and work.
Regardless of your barbering program, you will have to get an Arkansas barbering technician certificate. This is an easy certificate to get as all you need to do complete a full 20 hours of study and 20 hours learning sterilization of tools and barber laws of Arkansas. You can get this license by completing an apprenticeship under a licensed barber for 60 days as well. Now you are ready to take the exam, which will cost $75 USD only.
What to do after getting a barber license?
Getting a barber license is easy, but what to do after getting a barber license? Of course, first of all, you have to look for a job: renting a chair in a barbershop, working under a barbershop, or starting your own business.
After establishing yourself in the industry, you will have to renew your barber license routinely. You have to renew it every two years, and it doesn’t require any additional education. The license expires every two years on your birth date. The renewal price for the license is $50 USD. There is a great demand for barbers in this state, so you will probably never run out of jobs.
Barber license requirements in California
California is one of the most famous states in America. This is mainly due to the bustling crowds and beautiful landscapes. Barbers in California have lots of job opportunities; here are barber license requirements in California.
Students who want to become a barber have many options when it comes to selecting a barbering school in California. You have to complete at least 1,000 hours studying in a state-approved barbering school. However, it is best if you complete 1,500 hours of study as it will give you a better training. Here you will learn the art of hair cutting, shaving, beard trimming, sanitization, hair coloring, bleaching, and whatnot. You can also sit for the board exam by completing at least 3,200 hours of apprenticeship under a licensed barber who can teach you all that you need to know.
After this, you will have to pass the board exam in both practical and written fields to get your license with which you will be able to work. The license has to be renewed every two years, and there is 0 continuing education requirement each time you renew your license. There is also a prediction of a 21% increase in barbering jobs in California by 2026, which is much higher than the national average of 7% increase.
Barber license requirements in Michigan
Michigan is a great place for barbers who want to expand their art. The place houses great barbers that incorporate the vintage barbering styles in their shops while mixing them with newer trends. If you want to learn what barbering is truly about, this is your place. Therefore, to work here, these are the barber license requirements in Michigan.
The hours required to study in a state-approved Michigan barbering school are higher than most places, but that is because the quality of education here is high. You need to complete at least 1,800 hours of barbering school. The hours are divided into two; 250 hours should be spent studying theoretical courses, history of barbering, sanitization, client service, secondary service, laws and regulation, and business management. The rest of the time should be spent completing practical courses that teach hair cutting, styling, shaving, coloring, shampooing, skincare, and business ethics.
Just like most states, you can also get a license by completing an apprenticeship under a licensed barber. However, apprenticeship here works a little differently. You will be licensed as a student barber, and then you will work as a barber assistant under the direct supervision of the barber. This unique license lasts for two years and can only be renewed for one more year, after which you will have to take the board exam to get an actual license.
After your application to sit for the exam gets approved, you will pay $161 USD for the exam. Now all you have to do is pass both the written and practical exams by getting at least 75%. The license will need to be renewed every year with zero additional education.
Barber license requirements in Georgia
Do not get confused with Georgia; this is a US state. Georgia is a very beautiful US state that is home to some of the best barbers. The most common barber styles hair is manly; Georgia men love to look the manliest in the room. To finally be able to work here, you will need to meet these barber license requirements in Georgia.
First, you have to study in a state-approved Georgia barbering school that you can find. Here you will complete written and practical courses for at least 1,140 to 1,500 hours like usual. The 1,500 hours are divided into theory and clinical services. The theory requires 280 hours of study and includes hairstyling techniques, shaving, theory, facial hair design, and much more. The clinical services include shaving, cutting, shampooing, and all the other practical parts of barbering.
If you are 16 or older, you can also sit for the board exam by completing an apprenticeship. However, for this, you have first to submit an application for apprenticeship and then complete at least 3,000 hours of apprenticeship over the course of 18 months.
After paying the combined fee of $150 USD, you will be able to sit for the exam, where you will get practical and written questions that need to be completed in a limited time. The exams need to be passed, after which you will get your license. The license will need to be renewed every two years with 5 hours of continued education each time you renew the license. This continued education will help you stay on top of all barbering trends and teach you better safety techniques.
How can I get my barber license in Virginia?
Virginia is a very historical state in the United States, and so it has people that love the classic. The men’s hairstyles here are very elegant and classic, and a barber can succeed very easily. However, to become a barber, you first need to pass the board exam. Keep on reading to know how I can get my barber license in Virginia.
The barbering school should teach you practical and theoretical barbering courses for at least 1,500 hours. The courses should include client consultation, personal hygiene, cutting hair with different instruments, shampooing hair, trimming and shaving mustache and beard, scalp treatments, and everything in between. After this, you have to apply for the board exam with proof of your education. You can also sit for the board exam with 2,000 hours of apprenticeship if you can’t complete your education.
It will cost around $172 USD for both the written and practical exams that you will have to pass to get the license. . But you have to renew the license every two years.
How to get a barber license in Ohio
Ohio has a lot of self-employed barbers. If you are someone who has a hard time following rules, Ohio will be a great start to your career. Here is how to get a barber license in Ohio, a state full of creativity.
The first step is to complete education in a state-approved school. You will have to complete at least 1,800 hours of education which will be divided into three parts. You should spend 100 hours on the theory, which should include scientific fundamentals of barbering, hygiene, histology of hair, diseases of the skin, barbering laws in Ohio, and much more and another 200 hours on scientific barbering practices, which are facial treatment, shampooing, bleaching, face shaving, haircutting, barber implements, and much more. The rest of the time is for practical courses such as hair cutting and shop management.
After a $120 USD fee, you can sit for the barbering exam that you will need to pass to get the license and renew every two years. When you apply for renewal, you will have to continue 8 hours of education.
In conclusion, America is great for barbers as it has many barbering schools in each state, and the need for barbers is always increasing. Moreover, you can study barbering here and work anywhere in the world!
You can read to know about some other states also.
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