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Barbering is one of the world’s oldest professions, dating back to at least the Bronze Era when razors were found among relics unearthed in Egypt which dated back to this period. While the common perception is that barbers merely cut and style hair, in fact they offer a wide range of services, including shaves, scalp massages, hair coloring, bleaching and highlighting as well as manicures and pedicures. Barbers are among the best compensated of personal appearance workers, earning an annual average of $24,781, although this may vary depending on where the barber is practicing and their level of skill and experience. Professional barbers are required to get training from state-approved hair cutting schools before they can be licensed to practice.

Hair cutting schools, better known as barber schools, are mainly focused on giving their students an education in providing the complete range of hair and skin services for men, which includes cutting, styling, dying and bleaching, shaving and facials. They also learn the basics of the different types of hair based on ethnicity, thickness, curliness and manageability, and how to properly manage them, as well as various hair and scalp conditions that could prevent or hinder proper styling. Before enrolling, however, students should make sure that the programs offered by the school are state-approved so as not to encounter any problems later when applying for licensure exams.

Since nearly half of licensed barbers are self-employed, many hair cutting schools not only provide training on all the hair cutting and styling skills barbers need to pass licensing exams, but also courses that will serve them in good stead if they choose to set up their own barbershops, such as business finance and management and customer relations skills. As well, many barber schools provide their students the opportunity to participate in apprenticeship programs that would give them hands-on work experience. Students may also sign up for these programs through trade unions that would place them in an actual salon or barbershop.

 Although barber shops do not have stringent entry requirements, applicants are commonly required to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, and be at least sixteen years old, although license requirements vary from state to state. A full-time course at a barber school commonly takes around nine months to compete, although it can also be taken on a part-time basis. Graduates may be awarded an associate degree upon successful completion of training. After graduation, students need to prepare for their state licensure exams. Without a license, barbers cannot be hired by salons or barbershops and cannot set up their own practices.

 Licensure exams commonly have a written and a practical component. In the practical part of the exam, students are required to demonstrate their hair cutting and styling skills to inspectors. Your barber school may prepare you for licensure exams by taking practice tests. There are also many online resources available on taking and passing barber licensure exams. Once you have passed your exam and earned your license, you may also have to renew it periodically

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 training program, 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.

Apply to a formal training program at a state-recognized barber school. The list of schools recognized by the Florida State Licensing Board includes the Florida Academy of Health and Beauty, The Hair Design School and Borner's Barber College. Check the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences to make sure the program you choose meets the state's licensing requirements.

To become a licensed barber in the State of Florida you must attend a Florida barbering school and successfully complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of barber
training. Upon completion of the educational hours, a completed examination application should be submitted to the department for processing, along with the applicable fees. Once the examination application has been approved, you will be contacted by the department’s examination vendor, Pearson VUE, to schedule a date and time for the written examination.

Complete the barbering training program, which takes about nine months. Be prepared to present proof of all your course work and practical training when you apply for the licensing examination.

Apply to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to take the licensing examination, and send an application fee, which was $288 in 2010. An official of the barbering school you attended must sign your application, confirming that you completed the training program. In addition, you must have a high school diploma and be at least 16 years old to take the test.

“Under The Supervision” Of A Licensed Barber Signify

The term “under the supervision” of a licensed barber signifies that the supervising individual holds a current and active Florida barber’s license and is physically present at all times when the applicant is performing barbering services. However, the supervised work practice exception does not apply to an individual who has applied by endorsement from another state or country. Endorsement applicants must have their Florida barbers’ license prior to practice

Qualifications for an Endorsement Application:

Applicants for endorsement must:

• Complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of schooling in a program similar to, comparable to, or more stringent than what is required of Florida students;
• Demonstrate that he or she has satisfactorily completed a written examination comparable to or more stringent than the examination administered by the department;
• Demonstrate that he or she possesses a current, active license in another state or country; and
• Apply and pay the required application fee of $255.

Apprentice licenses are not eligible for endorsement. All barber endorsement applications must include an education evaluation that was conducted by a credential valuation service which is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A complete listing of NACES members is located on the barbers’ web page. If the NACES evaluation is not included with the endorsement application, it will be considered deficient.

As soon as you have a license to practice the profession, you can start by becoming apprentice in local barbershops. In this way, you can improve your understanding n the important things and skills that you should learn to become successful. After completing the apprenticeship, you can open your own shop or you can pass application in local shops. If you want to know more about Florida Barbers’ License or Find the best Barber Schools, visit Bestofcolleges.com

If you are interested in a new career, becoming a barber can provide you with a very rewarding professional life. If you enjoy being in an environment that is constantly filled with a different mix of people, working in a barbershop may be the perfect place for you.

Attending a barbering school is useful in getting started as a barber. It is important to select an accredited barbering school with experienced teachers. Barbering schools are usually accredited by the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), the Accrediting Council for Continued Education and Training (ACCET), and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).

Training at a barber school provides hands-on experience and skills for those interested in pursuing a career in hair design. Barber schools focus on training hair design school students by providing comprehensive hair and skin services for men. Traditional barber training will most certainly include cutting, styling, and dyeing of men's hair, as well as shaving and trimming moustaches and beards. Barbershops today will often include services for women, and some barber schools will expand barber studies to include cosmetology, beauty and applications of makeup. But, generally, most barber training focuses exclusively on male grooming practices.

Licenses and Certifications

Training hours required for licensure vary by state and may range from 1500-2000. In addition, states vary on licensing requirements, including minimum age, prerequisite experience and educational experience. Candidates will need to complete the state application, pay the fee and take the written and practical examination of skills.

Courses available at a hair designer school include:

• Professional Hair care Technique
• Hair Color Theory
• Skincare Basics
• Cutting Technique
• Shaving Practices
• Barber Instruction
• Manicuring
• Esthiology
• Business Management

Career and Job

Employment of barbers is projected to have little or no increase in job growth, increasing 1% from 2006 to 2016 (1). Employment of personal appearance workers cutting both men’s and women’s will create slow job growth for barbers.

Job prospects should be fair for barbers with extensive experience and to replace barbers who retire or leave the field for other reasons.

As of September 2009, the middle 50% of barbers earned annual salaries between $21,877 and $32,727. The highest 10% earned annual salaries of more than $37,782 (2).

List of Top Colleges and Universities Offering Barber Certification:

• University of Arizona
• Michigan State University
• New York University
• Western Michigan University
• San Diego State University

A career as a barber is a great choice for people interesting in providing personal appearance services for male clients. Barbers must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and great customer service. They must keep a clean work environment and have a neat personal appearance. Good business skills are essential for barbers who own their own businesses.

To choosing a barber school, there is a fee for applying to a barber school, so you will want to do your research before your application goes in. You also want to make sure that you meet their prequalification so that you don’t spend time and money on a school that will not accept you as a student. Once you start school, it is important to stay current with your classes. Barber school moves at a quick pace, and if you fall behind it can be difficult to catch up. To find your best barber certification visit the Barber Schools