how long does it take to become a barber

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5 Major Steps to Becoming a Professional Barber

5 years ago abcblog

The profession as a barber falls into the personal care and industry by cutting off and styling boys and men's hair. Commonly barbers perform slightly similar services with cosmetologists but mainly focusing on grooming, shaving and trimming beards. Though it has come a long way, barbers have used traditional equipment and techniques. Most part of barbering includes the use of electric clippers, comb, scissor and razors. So if you are interested in finding out what lies ahead in becoming a professional barber, here are the 5 major steps you should know about.

STEP #1: EARN A GED OR A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

In order to become a barber, you usually must be at least 16 years old and have either a high school diploma or GED in order to be allowed to enroll. You will then need to complete an approved training program in a valid beauty or barber school and pass a state exam in order to be given a license, although a handful of states allow apprenticeship to get the required training hours instead (usually twice as many hours as would be required if you went to barber school).

How long it will take to become a licensed barber depends on a variety of factors. The time to complete the program depends on whether you are in full-time or part-time training in barber school, or if you've decided to apprentice. The amount of hours required to become a barber varies by state, but the average is between 1500 and 2000 training hours. For those who decide to do apprenticeship instead of going to school, it usually takes twice as many hours. Finally, the time required to become a licensed barber will also be affected by how long it takes you to pass the licensing exam, which typically consists of a written portion and a practical hands-on portion. Most people complete a training program at a school in 12 to 24 months, depending your state's minimum requirements. Be sure to discuss all of these factors with an admissions advisor at the barber schools you're considering so you can plan accordingly.

It might be easy to enroll in these programs or courses but definitely, you should also consider the expense you need to spend along the way.

According to ourworldisbeauty.com:

Schools for barbers vary widely in price because of a variety of reasons. They can range anywhere from under $5,000 up to more than $20,000.

Before you ask the price of a school, though, check out what they have to offer. Thehigher cost may be offset by extras that other schools don't provide in their price.

Perhaps the program is longer or more in-depth. It could be the facilities are better. It could be that the barber college has a better or safer location. Maybe the variety of barber classes is more interesting.

If there are enough pluses coming along with the extra $5,000 you may spend thenit could be worth the extra expenditure for a one-off outlay. Again, when you are spending money on something that will serve you well for years to come and on a day-to-day basis it could well be worth it to go for the school that really clicks with you.

It may seem scary to invest in a profession that would cost above your monthly budget yet there's a lot of financial aid options you can find that varies in every state. It is always best to consult the schools near you about it though.

STEP #2: ASSIST A PROFESSIONAL BARBER

Apprenticeship is the best way to put it. Same as any other profession, learning experience is always best and the more time you spent training from a professional the easier you get familiar with how things go around the barbershop before you actually spend all your time and money in this program/degree.

Observing and, if possible, assisting or interning with a barber is one way to find out if you want to become one. Short of allowing you to cut customers' hair, a barber can show you how to interact with customers, organize a work space and manage workflow in a shop. Cleaning and organizing equipment, sweeping up and running miscellaneous errands are also possible duties if a barber agrees to take you as an assistant.

STEP #3: COMPLETE A BARBERING OR COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM/DEGR E E

You will learn a number of skills and techniques when you attend barber school. You should learn how to shape a person's hair and the best way to cut hair based on different criteria of the customer. You'll also develop the skill required to shave a man's face properly, including traditional foam shaves and straight razor shaves. Shaving is both an art and a science! Other skills acquired during barber school include coloring hair, styling hair and creating permanent waves for men's hair. You will also learn extensively about barber shop safety and sanitation, an essential component of doing your job successfully and safely. The skills you gain from barber school often include business management, so if your career leads you to opening your own shop or becoming a manager at a salon, you'll have the essential skills to be successful.

According to barber-license.com:

TH ER E ARE TWO BARBER CLASSES YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON

A Barber:

A barber is a licensed professional who is permitted to engage in the following services related to hair and beards:

Shaving

Cutting

Trimming

Coloring

Shampooing

Arranging

Dressing

Curling

Waving

Barbers may also apply oils, lotions, or creams to the face, scalp, or neck, either by hand or by a mechanical appliance.

While A restricted barber is restricted to:

Hair cutting

Shaving

Shampooing

Blow drying

Applying hair tonics and hair sprays

They both have similar skill but being a barber has a wider task and expertise covered.

STEP #4: GET A STATE LICENSE

Watch This Video On How Obtain A Barber License :

Everybody can cut hair thus, everybody can be a barber but in the U.S., it is an advantage to become a barber professionally by obtaining a license and by undergoing a program/degree to avoid some legal issue in regards with barbering.

STEP #5 : FIND A JOB

Now, you are all set! All you need is to look for a job at a barbershop or establish your own.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 52,100 barbers employed in the U.S. in 2012; by 2022, the BLS projects an increase to 57,900, or an 11 percent change. Unlike barbers of past generations, today's barbers must be licensed to practice in the state in which they work as to ensure they are skilled in everything from sanitary practices and safety precautions to hair and scalp physiology.

To complete the success of your journey. Here are some facts of good qualities you should have to become a successful barber:

According to learnu.org:

Creativity:Having an eye for creative detail is definitely a helpful quality to have as a barber. You'll have to keep up to date with all of the current trends and will need to know how to perform all the right procedures in order to achieve the look the client wants.

Customer Service Skills:Your clients are your bread and butter; so have pretty great social skills is going to be an important part of success when you are a barber. There will be times that it will be really hard to deal with customers, but it's part of the job and being pleasant is a necessity…even if it means that you make faces about the client when they aren't looking.

Listening Skills:A good barber will be able to listen to what the client wants out of their experience in the barbershop and deliver it. A happy client is a returning client, so listen up!

Physical Stamina:Standing behind a barber chair all day every day can be a bit tiring. Your feet will hurt, your back will ache and your hands will likely be a little tired of all the buzzing from your clippers. So be sure to eat your Wheaties every day before work to ensure that you can keep up with your clients.

Cleanliness:As a barber you're going to have hair, your tools and hair products all over the place at times, it's just a part of the job. Another very important part of the job is keeping your work station as clean and sanitary as possible. You'll want to do this to make sure that you are following proper health and safety procedures. It's a good idea to keep a neat and tidy personal appearance too as it makes you look more professional.

Time Management Skills:It's very important to have good time management skills as a barber. You will have to finish up with your current client before the next one walks in, clean up between clients and make sure that any other job duties you have are completed in a timely manner. Clients also like when they are taken care in a timely manner while receiving great service. They will be more inclined to come back if they have a good experience without it taking a super long time.

Being a barber takes hard work and mastery. All you need is aspire and have the will to become not just a barber but to be known as best at what you do as a barber professionally. Hope this article will help you achieve long-term success and profession in this industry.