Barbers have been around for centuries. Though we can cut our own hair, it’s always easier and nicer to get it cut by someone else, especially when they are professionally trained.
If you have a passion for hair and you’re considering becoming a barber yourself, you’ve probably got a lot of questions.
One of the biggest questions you have is probably “how long does it take to become a barber?”.
Well, you’ve definitely come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll tell you just how long you can expect to train before you reach a professional level, as well as some extra requirements you’ll need in order to make this dream a reality.
So let’s get started.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Barber?
It will take you a good chunk of time to become a barber, but you’ll have plenty of time to actually practice your skills along the way.
It usually takes between 10 to 12 months to complete your schooling, and then you will have to become an apprentice in a barber shop for around 2 to 3 years before you are ready to go at it alone and fully qualified.
So in total, you’ll be looking at about 3 to 4 years before you are a fully qualified, professional barber.
If you are dedicated and passionate about becoming a barber, this time will fly by and you’ll actually enjoy it a lot more than you think.
It’s not easy to become a barber, but once you have completed all the necessary training, it’s definitely worth it.
Requirements For Becoming A Barber
So now you know how long it will take to become a barber, let’s take a look at some of the requirements you will need to meet.
You need education, training, and certifications to become a barber because, without them, no one will trust you enough to hire you. So let’s take a look at each in a bit more detail.
Education
Before anything else, you will need to find the right education.
You have to be at least 16-18 to train to become a barber, so you will also need your high school diploma (or equivalent) before you can even begin.
Once you do have your diploma, you can enroll in a barber training program.
You’ll have to look around on the internet for training programs in your area, but if you are able to travel for the training, this will definitely broaden where you can look.
These programs will also help you in the long run of your barber career. The right training courses will help you get your barber liscence, which means you’ll be able to open your own barber shop one day.
In these training programs, you’ll learn how to cut hair and shave using the proper techniques, sanitation, customer service, health and safety, and best practices in the industry.
Training
Along with the training programs, you will also need to have more hands-on experience through apprenticeships in actual barber shops.
Pretty much all barber shops will require you to have completed the training programs first, so don’t go looking for an apprenticeship until you have completed one of them.
Actual on-the-job training is going to be the most important part of learning to become a professional barber, so it is paramount that when you get the opportunity, you take it.
You will be able to learn from barbers who are already experienced and you will learn how to conduct yourself in the shop.
You will gain legitimate experience when you take on an apprenticeship role too, which you can use for getting a fully qualified job later.
The training programs will teach you the basics, but the apprenticeship and shop training will actually show you how to be a professional barber.
Certifications
It might surprise you to know that you don’t need specific or special certifications to become a professional barber, but you definitely need the right license.
There are a few requirements you have to meet in order to obtain this license too. So let’s have a look at them now.
To obtain a barber license you need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be at least 16 years of age, though some areas will require that you be 18.
- You must have evidence of completion of a barber training program.
- You must pass the barber licensure exam.
Once you have met all of these requirements, you will be able to successfully apply for your license.
You cannot work professionally or legitimately as a barber without this license, so there’s really no cutting corners here. It might take you a little while to get the license, but in the long run, it will be 100% worth it.
Responsibilities Of A Barber
You might think that being a barber is just cutting hair and chatting to your clients, but there is so much more to it than you might think.
If you’re serious about pursuing a career as a barber, then you definitely need to know about the other responsibilities you’ll be required to do. Here’s a little list of some of the key responsibilities of a barber:
- You will need great customer service, from booking appointments to rescheduling, to keeping your clients happy and providing them with the right information.
- As a qualified barber, you will need to train apprentices when they come to work in your shop.
- You must be detail orientated and pay attention to what the customer wants.
- Communication skills are incredibly important, as you will need to talk to your clients and you will need to understand their needs.
- You will need to be up to date on the health and safety requirements of your shop.
Conclusion
If you are serious about becoming a barber, then you will need to set aside around 3 to 4 years of time to actually train and get qualified.
As long as you are determined and patient, you will find that the time it takes is 100% worth it to fulfill your dream!
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