For those that want to kick start a profession in barbering, you, first of all, have to attend a barbering school, and if you live in California, the options are limitless for you.
There are over 100 barber schools in California, you just have to pick one at the end of the day no matter how hard it is to decide.
The List of Barber Schools in California
Without further ado, here are the best barber schools in California and if you scroll further down, you will see the licensing requirements for barbers in California.
Also See: 13 Top Barber Schools in New York City|Tuition
Bellus Academy
Address: 970 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Their carefully crafted barbering program was created to support future professionals’ technical and entrepreneurial growth, giving them an edge in the market!
Their curriculum includes cutting, shaving, and facials, as well as specialized skills that give barbers a wide range of options and keep them up to date with market trends.
The 1500-hour barbering program covers shaving, permanent waving and chemical straightening, hair coloring and bleaching, hair analysis, styling, and cutting.
The fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, sanitation, and disinfection are also taught to students, as well as California laws and regulations.
The program covers fundamental business knowledge, including online marketing, brand development, client retention tactics, and tax information, to support your professional development. Students who qualify may also take part in internships at nearby spas and resorts.
Tuition: $13,715
Click here for more information.
Elite Cosmetology School
Address: 72-840 Highway 111 Suite V417, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Programs in cosmetology, aesthetics, and barbering are available at Elite Cosmetology School. You are able to design a schedule that fits your lifestyle thanks to their education. They provide a 50/50 hybrid of in-person training and distance learning.
Learn the fundamentals of barbering over the course of an 11-month in-class program that covers the theory, fundamental skills, and business knowledge necessary to get you ready to enter a barbershop or salon.
This course aims to improve your skills as a barber while also giving you the tools to sharpen your business sense.
Students receive theoretical instruction, practical training, and technical instruction over the course of 1000 hours in the classroom in order to master different barbering techniques and client interactions.
Requirements for Enrollment:
Admission requirements include:
1. GED or High School Diploma
2. At Elite Cosmetology School, all students—regardless of their prior education—must take a placement exam.
3. A picture ID.
4. A Social Security card or other document proving that a non-citizen is eligible.
Tuition: $16,265.81
Click here for more information.
Also See: 22 Top Barber Schools in Arizona; Tuition & License Requirements
Milan Institute of Cosmetology
Address: 1679 East Monte Vista Avenue Suite 200, Vacaville, CA 95688
Over 35,000 graduates have benefited from the assistance of Milan Institute and Milan Institute of Cosmetology for more than 35 years. They provide a range of training courses in the medical, aesthetic, business, and massage industries. There are campuses in Texas, Idaho, California, and Nevada.
Students gain knowledge and skills necessary for the practice of hair and shaving services through the barbering program. Additionally, students receive technical instruction and hands-on training in the fields of hairdressing, health and safety, and shaving through the program.
Learn the fundamental manipulative abilities, safety considerations, useful work practices, and desirable attitudes required to pass the State Board examination and be qualified for entry-level jobs in barbering or related fields.
Tuition: $2,067
Click here for more information.
Newberry School of Beauty
Address: 16852 Devonshire Street, Granada Hills, CA 91344
To make sure that all students are prepared and knowledgeable about the industry they are pursuing, Newberry School of Beauty offers a variety of programs. There are both daytime and evening classes available.
Los Angeles, California is home to the for-profit college known as Newberry Beauty. 47 undergraduate students are enrolled, making it a small school. The acceptance rate for Newberry Beauty is 100%. Esthetician and skin care, barbering, and cosmetology are common majors.
Tuition: $8,822.50
Click here for more information.
Victory Career College
Address: 19401 South Vermont Avenue Suite G100, Torrance, CA 90502
Victory Career College’s mission is to provide on-site and online training in the career arts and sciences while preparing its students to pass licensing exams and land jobs in the marketplace.
Barbers now have a wide range of employment options, from commission-based work to booth rental, from self-employment to employee status, thanks to the acceptance of barbers by mainstream organizations and society at large. For those who complete formal training programs and pass a professionally recognized exam, opportunities are available and expanding.
Barber program graduates from Victory Career College have a wide range of employment options.
Tuition: $17,683.16
Click here for more information..
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Western Barber Institute
Address: 18442 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335
This course material can be finished in 1,000 hours in order to receive a California certification.
All of the following will be taught to students:
- Requirements for sanitary and safety.
- Safety laws and industry regulations.
- Men’s hairpieces, rest facials, rolling cream massages, and facial shaving.
- Professional conduct, a job search plan, and personal and professional ethics.
- Hair coloring, chemical treatments, scalp manipulation, and hair styling.
- Hair processing, relaxing, and shampooing include waving and curling hair.
- Communication skills, customer relations, employer-employee relations, and personal grooming.
Tuition: $8,822.50
Click here for more information.
1st Academy of Beauty
Address: 8819 Garvey Avenue, Rosemead, CA 91770
This program teaches participants how to cut and style hair as well as shave and trim beards, facial, and neck hair. Additionally, it teaches students how to apply cosmetic treatments, massage the face and scalp, and prepare for various levels of professional barber licensure.
It contains instructions on how to shave the face, shape and trims mustaches and beards, shampoo, cut, and style hair, apply makeup, apply chemicals, learn about the anatomy and physiology of the face, operate equipment safely, serve customers, and conduct shop business.
Tuition: N/A
Click here for more information..
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ABA Beauty School
Address: 8428 Van Nuys Boulevard, Panorama City, CA 91402
Design, cutting, shaving, coloring, highlight, permanent, basic facials, and the art of hairstyling are all taught in the barber program at ABA Beauty School. You’ll also learn business tactics and get hands-on training with actual clients, giving you practical experience.
You will receive all the training and information required at this school to pass the state board exam. More importantly, the knowledge and abilities learned in this barber program will equip students with the necessary tools for a lucrative and successful career in the industry.
Tuition: N/A
Click here for more information.
Adrian’s Beauty College
Address: 1646 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015
They give their students the tools they need to succeed as successful beauty professionals by offering a technical curriculum, community service opportunities, and Pivot Point Training. Their objective is to produce beauty experts who can choose to pursue an entry-level career after graduating.
For a variety of aspiring beauty professionals, they provide 6 different beauty programs. Due to the fact that they are a Pivot Point school, they can provide instruction using a well-known system. Click on the following link if you’re interested in breaking into a stunning, thriving industry.
Tuition: $16,269 / year
Click here for more information.
Also See: 20 Best Online High Schools in California-Key Facts
Academy of Esthetics and Cosmetology
Address: 1116 San Fernando Road, San Fernando, CA 91340
The cosmetology, manicurist, cosmetician, and teaching programs at the Academy of Esthetics & Cosmetology all provide students with a distinctive learning environment. This school provides students with practical, real-world experience to go above and beyond expectations and spark their creativity.
Their cosmetology curriculum is specially created to help students get ready for the state licensing exams and teach them the business, interpersonal, and technical skills required to work in a reputable salon.
Professionals with practical experience in each subject area teach all of the courses. Each curriculum includes both supervised clinical experiences and classroom instruction.
Tuition: $21,707
Click here for more information.
Below is a table of the other barber schools in California:
How To Become A Barber In California
The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology oversees the licensing process and the barbering industry in the state.
Follow these instructions to become a licensed barber in California.
1. Complete an apprenticeship or barber program.
The completion of approved education and training program is the first requirement for California’s barber licensing procedure.
You can fulfill this requirement by finishing either an apprenticeship program that has been approved by the Board or a program offered by a barbering school that has at least 1,500 hours of instruction.
If the program has been authorized by the Board, you may complete a barber program at a cosmetology or barber school specifically designed for that purpose.
The Board keeps a list of recognized barbering schools.
2. Apply for a California Barber License
The Barber Application for Examination and the initial license fee of $125 must be completed, signed, and submitted after you have successfully completed an authorized barber school program or an apprenticeship. You can also submit an application online.
You will be informed of your eligibility to take the barber examinations, which are necessary for licensure as a barber in California after the Board has received and reviewed your application.
3. Pass the necessary barber examinations.
You must be at least 17 years old and have completed at least the 10th grade in order to be eligible to sit for the California barber examinations for licensure.
The Board will process your application and send you a scheduling letter with information on the upcoming exam dates in about 6 to 12 weeks.
The Exam Location North, which is in Fairfield, and the Exam Location South, which is in Glendale, are the two locations where exams are administered. You can anticipate having the exams scheduled for the same day.
4. Keep your California Barber License current and look for employment opportunities
In California, licenses for barbers must be renewed every odd-numbered year.
You have two options for renewing your personal license: either fill out the form and pay the $50 renewal fee or use the Department of Consumer Affairs BreEZe online system.
Although there are no requirements for continuing education to keep your barber license in California, many barbers still pursue education through formal classes, seminars, tradeshows, and the like as a way to stay current in this fascinating and dynamic industry.
Job Outlook And Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor projects that the employment of barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists will increase by 13% between 2018 and 2026, outpacing the average for all occupations.
More people will need hair care services, which will increase demand.
As of August 29, 2022, the average barber salary in California was $36,849; however, the typical salary range is between $29,664 and $44,376.
Salary ranges can vary considerably depending on the city, as well as a number of other major elements, such as education, credentials, additional skills, and the duration you’ve been working in a given field.
It’s possible that regional differences in wages and employment opportunities are not accurately reflected by national averages.
They might not only consist of entry-level pay and opportunities for recent graduates but also earners and employment opportunities at all stages of their careers.
How Long is Barbering School in California?
In California, completing a training program with at least 1,000 hours is the first requirement for becoming a licensed barber.
For a full-time enrollment, this is a little over six months. This consists of classroom time and real-world training.
Do I Need a License to Cut Hair in California?
Yes. For the purpose of providing barbering and cosmetology services for a fee, you must pass the written test and be granted a license.
Do You Need a Highschool Diploma to be a Barber in California?
You must be at least 17 years old and have completed at least the 10th grade in order to be eligible to sit for the California barber examinations for licensure.
How Many Hours Do Barbers Need in California?
A law that significantly reduces the number of training hours needed to become a barber or cosmetologist was signed by Gavin Newsom.
Rather than the current maximum of 1,600 hours, barbers and cosmetologists will only need to complete 1,000 hours of training to obtain their license.
Can I Have a Salon in My Home in California?
Yes, provided that you’ve finished filling out the Establishment Application and that your home salon satisfies all of the criteria listed on the application for your home salon.
Regarding any additional permits or licenses, you must also get in touch with your city and county.
What Can Barbers Write Off on Taxes?
A barber is eligible to deduct all business-related costs. Included in this are funds used for advertising, uniforms, equipment purchases, liability insurance, cleaning supplies, and business cards. He can deduct the cost of dry cleaning the uniform if that is necessary.
How Much Does a Barber Shop Owner Make in California?
The average annual salary for a barber shop owner in California as of August 22, 2022, is $54,624 per year.
If you need a quick salary estimator, that comes out to be roughly $26.26 per hour. This is equal to $4,552 per month or $1,050 per week.
Can a Felon Get a Barber License in California?
There are no convictions that would automatically disqualify someone from applying for a license as a barber, cosmetologist, esthetician, hair braider, or nail technician.
How Do I Get My Hair Stylist License?
In general, hair stylists must enroll in a state-approved cosmetology school or apprenticeship program, accrue practical experience honing their hair design skills, and pass a competency test in order to obtain a license. The specific requirements for licensure vary by state.
Can Barbers Wax in California?
The only people typically permitted to shave their faces or trim their hairlines are barbers.
Wax is typically only used by cosmetologists to remove hair.