How to Become a Barber in 2024

Any seasoned barber will tell you this…

If you are passionate about joining the haircutting industry, the most important part of the process is always learning how to become a barber and how to be good at it.

Note:

Contrary to popular beliefs, you can’t just wake up and decide to become a barber.

And that’s why, in this post, there are a few steps you can follow in order to become a good and successful barber.

So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

Why Should You Become A barber?

Barbering has greatly evolved over the past century.

Unlike in the past when a great majority of the population preferred keeping long hair, nowadays, the opposite is true.

And:

That’s why this industry is booming.

More and more people are comfortable maintaining short hair; not only because it looks neat but also because it’s easy to maintain.

Truth is:

Hair is always growing, isn’t it?

There are a number of good reasons why you should become a barber including:

• The fact that you are helping members of your community to look good and presentable.
• You get to enjoy a lot of flexibility.
• Consistency in that you are free of seasonal business tides i.e. low and high seasons.
• Great income stream.
• It’s quite an easy career.
• And, believe it or not, it’s great for your physical health.

So, is becoming a barber worth it? YES.

But:

What do you need to do to become a barber?

Here is a step by step guide on how to achieve this:

How to Become a Barber: Step-by-Step Guide

How long does it take to become a barber?

This is one of the most common questions I often get concerning how to be a barber.

Sadly, there’s no straight answer because it depends on your learning speed and the avenue you choose to learn how to barber.

With that said, here are a few steps to follow to become a barber in 2021:

Do a Little Bit of Research

When going for a swim:

Before you dive into the pool, you need to know how deep the “water” is and whether you can swim in it without difficulty.

The same applies to any new profession/career.

You have to ensure that you can comfortably work in such a work environment and that you are prepared for all outcomes that may arise.

Some of the most important questions you’ll be answering here are:

• What are the pros and cons of becoming a barber?
• What are the legal requirements of running a barbershop?
• How much will you be earning?
• How to get a barber license?
• How much will it cost to set up your business or get employment?

Get Educated

There are many ways of defining barber school; mainly because you have numerous learning options e.g. learning how to become a barber in California.

The most common methods of learning include:

• Private Tutoring – It offers more 1-2-1 support and only takes a few months to complete. It is, however, the most expensive learning option here.
• Apprenticeship – Yes, you can become an apprentice at one of your local barbershops. It’s cheap and gives you a more practical experience. However, it takes a lot of time (up to 3 years) and you’ll be limited in terms of the number of cuts you can make per week. This answers the question, “how to become a barber without going to school.”
• Go to College – Lastly, you can also take up a barbering course in college. This option offers you a more in-depth learning experience. Plus, it’s way cheaper than taking private classes and takes a shorter time than becoming an apprentice. Finally, depending on your state, try to find out what do you need to go to barber school.

Note:

As you choose how you are going to learn the art of barbering, make considerations on all barber license requirements by state.

For example:

A lot of states require you to have a high school diploma. Therefore, ensure you finish high school to be eligible for a barber license.

Intern in a Local Barbershop

After graduating from college (or learning how to become a barber), you’ll need to intern for at least three months in a professional barbershop.

This will help you to learn a few essentials about how to run such a business.

The same applies to any new profession/career.

For example:

• Shop organization.
• Customer interaction and relation.
• General management.
• Service value addition.
• Proper hygiene practices.
• As well as, critical errands you should run.

Apply for and Get a Business License

Now:

After your internship, you need to understand your licensing requirements; they will differ from state to state.

But, one thing is for sure, you will be tested to see whether you are well-versed with all the intricacies that come with barbering and whether you are ready to start.

Luckily, a lot of the tests will come from what you learned in school; so, passing should be quick and easy.

Set Up Shop and Start Your Career

With your license in hand, you’re now ready to start earning from your fresh haircutting skills.

But you need a base of operations.

Therefore, look for a very strategically placed space where you can set up your shop.

By “strategically,” I mean a spot that is well-exposed and easy to reach. That way your clients will have an easy time coming for a haircut.

If starting a barbershop proves too expensive for you, you can also:

• Work for commissions at an established barbershop.
• Seek permanent employment.
• Work as a freelance/on-call barber.

Now:

I know this does not fully answer both these questions “how to become a barber in Florida?” and “how to become a barber in Georgia?”

And that’s mainly due to the difference in laws, requirements, and procedures in each state.

But:

It’s an in-depth guide that can prove useful in any state e.g. how to become a barber in NY.

In summary…

Becoming a barber can be quite an easy and rewarding career move. It just needs a lot of patience and attention to detail.

I hope this post was useful to you.

And, as always, if you have any questions or contributions to the topic, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.