Guide to Choosing your Barber Training Programs

No matter how difficult times are, people will still have to take care of their personal appearance; hence there will always be a need for barbers. A barber is a personal appearance worker who cuts or trims hair for mainly male clientele, as well as providing services such as fitting hairpieces like wigs and toupees and facial shaving and scalp treatments. Depending on their qualifications, they may also dye or bleach hair, provide permanent waves and offer skin and nail care treatments. Barbers are well-compensated for their work; on the average, a barber can earn $11.56 an hour, with those in the top 10% of their professions able to command close to $20 an hour. While many barbers are employed in salons or barbershops, almost half of them are self-employed, running their own practices.

Barbers and other personal appearance workers are required to acquire a license from the state before being allowed to practice; licensing requirements vary from state to state. At a minimum, barbers who want to become licensed must possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent qualification, be at least 16 years old and have completed a state-licensed barber training program. These are commonly found at public high schools as well as private and public secondary vocational schools. A full-time barbering program commonly takes nine months to two years to complete and may result in the award of an associate degree although many programs simply provide a certificate.

Upon successful completion of the program, students must take a state licensure examination. The licensing test commonly consists of a written component and a practical examination in which the student is required to demonstrate their skills, or alternatively, an oral examination. If the student has had some cosmetology training, this may also be credited towards a barber’s license. Depending on the requirements of the state, once the barber has received his license, he may periodically have to renew it.

When selecting a barber school, the student must make sure that the program is approved by the state to ensure that they will get the qualifications they need to become licensed. Since barbers must also have good relations with their customers, students who feel they might need more training in customer relations skills might want to seek out programs that also offer courses in the psychology of human relations. If they intend to start their own barber shop after completing the program, students should also consider taking additional courses in business management and finance.

Apart from formal training, student barbers must also undertake an apprenticeship program that will provide them with on-the-job experience. The program should provide the student training in the full range of services barbers these days offer, which may include manicures and pedicures, facial treatments and hair coloring services. Students may sign up for apprenticeship programs at the school in which they are receiving their training or through trade unions that may be offering such programs. Depending on the program, they may have to pay minimal fees for participation, and of course, provide their own equipment. Becoming a barber can provide you with a very rewarding professional life. Choosing the right barber schools is probably one of the most important decisions in your barber career.

Accredited Barber Schools in California

This article looks at accredited barber schools in California state from a broad perspective. It initially discusses the various parameters of the state with reference to the potential for personal care services. An outline of the licensure requirements for barbers in the state is also given. The link given towards the end of the article takes you to the most recent list of barbering schools approved by the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

California is the most populous state and the third largest by land area in the United States. As per the figures put out by the US Census 2010, California's population was 37,253,956, a 10% growth over the year 2000. To put this figure in perspective, only 34 countries have a population higher than California's. Its main cities Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Sand Beach and Oakland are among the 50 most populous cities of the country. An economic powerhouse in its own right, the state is responsible for an eighth of the country's Gross Domestic Product.

The largest sectors of the state in terms of jobs are trade, transportation and utilities; government; professional and business services; education and health services; and leisure and hospitality. Agriculture too is an important sector in the state's economy. Sure enough, California is a major market for personal care services. The major cities mentioned above provide jobs to thousands of barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians and such. In keeping with the rise in population and the growth of the economy, demand for barbering services is expected to grow at around 15% annually for the next ten years. It is therefore a good idea for those looking for a vocational job in California to seriously consider barbering as a career option.

Barber license in California

The California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology requires that you meet the following to be eligible to appear for their barber license examination.

1. Minimum age of seventeen years.
2. Minimum education of tenth grade or its equivalent.
3. Completion of a training course of at least 1500 hours at an accredited barber school in California. The accreditation is given by the Board.

The examination assesses the applicant's knowledge of both theory and practice. License is issued to those who are successful in the examination.

You can contact the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology directly, at 400 R Street, Suite 5100, Sacramento, CA 95814 for more information on barber license in California.

Accredited Barber Schools in California

Prospective students of barbering have a wide choice of schools to get themselves trained. You can visit the list of approved barber schools in California published by the Cosmetology Board for the latest information on this. Depending on your preferred location, you are likely to find more than one barber school. You should assess the schools on such parameters as placement history, tuition costs and availability of financial assistance. Also, before deciding on a particular school you are advised to verify that the Board approval is valid for the current year. Being educated in one of the approved barbering schools in California, ensures that you will be eligible to appear for the licensing examination conducted by the Board.