4 Top Barber Schools in Cincinnati-Cost & Requirements

For residents of Cincinnati looking to become licensed barbers, you have come to the right place.

This article is loaded with information about the best barber schools in Cincinnati, how to gain your license, and also the current average pay for Barbers in this state. 

Although I would like to point out that, unlike other states, Cincinnati only has a few barbering schools, 4 to be exact and they may not be in Cincinnati, they can be in neighboring states.

These are basically the search results for anyone in Cincinnati who googles “Barbering schools near me”.

However, what matters the most is you can still gain your license and get the knowledge and experience you want from any of these schools. Without further ado, here is a list of barber schools in Cincinnati. 

The List of Barber Schools in Cincinnati

Like we mentioned, what matters the most is you can still gain your license and get the knowledge and experience you want from any of these barber schools in Cincinnati listed below.

1. American College of Barbering  

Address: 7901 Dream Street, Florence, KY 41042 

The goal of this school is to give students the best possible education and training so they can meet their own and the community’s needs and eventually find rewarding careers in the barber industry.

The school maintains a professional setting where a knowledgeable and committed staff supports students’ development of their interpersonal and practical skills.

The School doesn’t engage in false, dishonest, or misleading tactics.

Modern amenities on the Clinic Floor include 26 barber chairs, 2 shampoo stations, a laundry room with equipment, 2 bathrooms, a locker room, and a dispensary.

Theory and Illustration Classrooms feature prepared lesson plans and activities, a progressive curriculum, PowerPoint, tripods, and mannequin heads. 

Before starting school, a student must be at least 16 ½ years old and submit the following.

  • $100.00 non-refundable application fee

  • A copy of your high school diploma, GED certificate, or transcript showing the date of graduation.

  • A duplicate of a federally issued ID issued by the state 

Tuition: $19,975 

Click here for more information.

Also See: 5 Best Music Schools in Cincinnati-Tuition & Requirements

2. Cincinnati School of Barbering & Hair Design Inc

Address: 6500 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45239 

A for-profit college is Cincinnati School of Barbering & Hair Design Inc. It is a small school with 52 undergraduate students enrolled.

100% of applicants are accepted by Cincinnati School of Barbering & Hair Design Inc.

Barbering is the only major offered. All of the students at Cincinnati School of Barbering & Hair Design Inc. graduate.

Mr. Mark Greene is the owner of the Cincinnati School of Barbering & Hair Design.

The location of the corporate headquarters and school is 6500 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45239

The Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board have authorized the Cincinnati School of Barbering & Hair Design. 

Tuition: $13,124

Click here for more information.. 

3. Dayton Barber College  

Address: 2741 C Lyons Road, Miamisburg, OH 45342 

Nothing makes a modern man look and feel better than a clean fade or a traditional shave. Dayton Barber College is here to instruct you in the age-old craft of barbering if you’re interested in entering one of the oldest trades available.

As the top professional barber school in the Miami Valley, its goal is to offer a formal, comprehensive education that includes the knowledge and abilities required to pass the State Licensure Exam in a setting that is competent and effective.

Their staff and instructors are here to give you the skills and knowledge you need to work toward your goals and be successful. 

Students seeking a career as a licensed barber/stylist, barbershop owner, or manager in the state of Ohio who have no prior barbering experience or training are best suited for the barber/stylist program.

To assist in preparing you for licensure, they combine classroom theory, practical scientific barbering training, and hands-on shop instruction.

Theoretical Study:

Students receive thorough instruction in the scientific foundations of barbering during the theoretical study (minimum 100 clock hours), which also aids in the development of an understanding of industry standards and practices. The subjects included are:

  • Shaving men.
  • Hair relaxing, coloring, and permanent waving chemistry.
  • Use and maintenance of barber tools.
  • Sterilization, sanitation, and hygiene.
  • Diseases of the skin, scalp, and glands are caused by bacteria. 

The history of barbering, the law, state laws, and regulations, as well as the fundamental business principles of salesmanship, advertising/marketing, ethics, and public relations, round out the course.

Students enjoy the experience of being immersed in the barbering environment with like-minded peers, and the course serves as the basis for a quality barbering education.

Scientific Barbering Practices:

This course (minimum 200 clock hours) develops the scientific aspects of barber training and offers instruction in a number of techniques for:

  • Cutting and coloring of hair.

  • Straightening and relaxing the hair.

  • Permanent waving.

  • Different kinds of facials, shaving, and hair extensions.

Students continue to expand their foundation of barbering knowledge by building on the instruction they received during the theoretical study. 

General Barber Practice:

Students who enroll in the general barber practice course (1200 clock hours minimum) benefit from beneficial hands-on training in:

  • Regular haircuts for men.
  • Razor cutting.
  • Coloring and styling.
  • Shampoo tonic and hot oil shampoo.
  • Scalp therapies.
  • Various facial treatments and shaving techniques.
  • Essentials of barbershop management. 

Admissions criteria

Candidates for enrollment must submit the following:

  • Proof of a GED or high school diploma.
  • Birth certificate copy
  • $40 state registration fee for students.
  • Two (2) 2 ½″ x 3 ½″ photographs.
  • A copy of the student’s current cosmetology license is required for admission to the 1000-clock hour barber/stylist program.

Basic Information:

  • The minimum age is 17 years and 1 month (must be 18 years of age to sit for licensing exam).
  • Applicants who are on the Registered Sex Offender List are ineligible to apply for an Ohio barber license and will not be admitted to the College.
  • Prior to admission, prospective students with felonies must receive written approval from the Ohio State Barber Board. 

For more information on eligibility, please visit the Ohio State Barber Board’s website at https://cos.ohio.gov/ under Laws & Rules and General Information for Obtaining a Barber License. 

Tuition: $10,608 

Click here for more information.

Also See: 13 Top Barber Schools in New York City|Tuition

4. Premier Barber College  

Address: 7617 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237 

 Much information is not available on this school, however you can pay a visit to their official Facebook account using the link below. 

Click here for more information.. 

How To Become A Barber In Cincinnati 

Here are some quick instructions on how to get an Ohio barber license:

1. Finish 1800 hours of instruction at an Ohio barber school

Graduating from a barber training program is the first step toward obtaining a barber license in Ohio.

The Ohio Board mandates that this program provide theoretical, scientific, and practical training for at least 1800 hours, including instruction in the following topics and competencies:

100 Hours Of Theory:

  • Scientific Barbering Principles.
  • Bacteriology and sanitation.
  • The histology of hair
  • Head, neck, and face structures.
  • Simple Chemistry.
  • Skin conditions.
  • Barber History.
  • The Ohio Barbering Law.
  • Sales techniques, marketing, etc.
  • Barber Shop Management and Ethics.

200 hours of Scientific Barbering Practice

  • Facial therapies
  • Shampoo therapies
  • Tinting.
  • Bleaching.
  • Shaving the face.
  • Haircutting I, II, III.
  • Relaxing and straightening.
  • Permanent Waving.
  • Hairpieces.
  • Barber Instruments

Practical (1200 hours) –

  • Facial therapies
  • Scalp therapies.
  • Shampoo therapies
  • Tinting.
  • Bleaching.
  • Shaving the face.
  • Haircuts I, II, and III
  • Retail Management.

Before you can submit an application for a license, the Board only requires that you complete 1800 hours of training.

However, you can always go back to school for more challenging coursework after you receive your license.

Your clients, who look to you as the authority on men’s fashion, will be impressed and delighted if you keep up with the latest hair and beard trends. 

2. Submit a Board Licensing Exam and License Application.

The Ohio State Application for Examination and Licensure will be provided by your school once you have graduated from an Ohio barbering program.

This application allows you to take the licensing exams and allows the board to issue your license once the exams are finished. You must include a $120.00 application fee with your application.

The Board will let you know your exam date, time, and location once they’ve received your application.

The exams will be administered in accordance with the Ohio Board’s exam schedule. 

Reciprocity:

Through reciprocity, you can transfer your barber license from another state to Ohio if you currently have one.

You must be able to demonstrate that your barber school training met Ohio’s 1800-hour training requirement in order to submit an application for reciprocity.

If so, you can follow these instructions to apply for a license in Ohio through reciprocity:

  • Fill out the Application for Reciprocity.
  • submit your barber school diploma.
  • Include two recent photos.
  • Attach a copy of Birth Certificate.
  • Please submit a copy of your barber’s license.
  • Deposit the $300 application fee.

All application materials should be sent to the Ohio Board at the following address:

Ohio State Barber Board

77 S. High Street 16th Floor

Columbus, Ohio 43215

3. Pass the written and practical licensing exams offered by the Ohio Board.

The Ohio Board proctors and grades both of the licensing exams. Both a written exam and a practical exam must be passed.

Writing Test:

The written test will cover every topic you studied in barber school. You will be tested on a variety of barbering topics, including but not restricted to:

  • Biology and infection control.
  • Sanitation, sanitation, and sterilization.
  • Scalp and hair problems.
  • Light and electricity.
  • Skin Histology.
  • Services for the face and shaving.
  • Hair styling and cutting

Practice Test:

The Ohio Board will grade you on your proficiency in the following barbering tasks during the practical exam:

  • The act of shaving professionally.
  • Giving a massage with rolling cream.
  • Performing a Haircut. 
  • A Scientific Scalp Massage
  • Hair shampooing.
  • Expert hairstyling.
  • Final cleaning.

You will receive your Ohio barbering license from the Ohio Board once you pass these tests.

4. Begin your career as a certified barber in Ohio and maintain your certification.

Licensed barbers in Ohio may find employment at upscale barbershops or in upscale salons and spas. 

You can start your own barbershop if you want to advance your career and join over 1000 other barbers in Ohio.

You can control the look, mission, and culture of your barbershop by opening one of your own.

By requesting an Ohio barbershop license, you can open a shop.

You must first hold a barber license before you can complete the following steps to obtain this license:

  • Apply for a barbershop license by filling out and submitting the form.

  • Payment of the $110 application fee.

You will receive a barbershop license after submitting this supporting documentation, enabling you to establish your own sanctuary of manly style and relaxation.

Every even-numbered year, on August 31, your barber license will expire.

The Ohio Board will mail you a renewal form as the expiration date draws near.

This renewal form must be completed and returned to the Board along with a $110 renewal fee. 

Also See: 22 Top Barber Schools in Arizona; Tuition & License Requirements 

Salary of Barbers In Cincinnati 

Cincinnati’s average annual wage for a barber as of September 9, 2022, is $41,871. If you need a quick salary estimator, that comes out to be about $20.13 per hour. This amounts to $805 per week or $3,489 per month.

The wide range of pay for a barber (up to $27,076) suggests that there may be many opportunities for pay increases and advancement based on experience, location, and skill level.

According to recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, Cincinnati, Ohio and the surrounding area both have a thriving job market for barbers. 

Job Outlook

Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are expected to grow 11 percent between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

On average, 93,800 job openings for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are expected over the next decade. Many of those positions are expected to be filled as a result of the need to replace workers who change occupations or leave the labor force, such as to retire.

The primary driver of the demand for barbers and hairdressers will be population growth, which will increase the demand for basic hair care services.

Furthermore, increased demand for hair coloring, straightening, and other advanced hair treatments is expected to continue over the next decade.

How long does it take to become a barber in Ohio? 

1800 Hours 

How long does it take to become a barber? 

While each state has its own requirements for barber licenses, most barber schools require around 1500 hours of instruction before a student is allowed to take the licensing exams.

Additionally, you must be at least 16 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and pass the relevant licensing test. 

Do you need a GED for barber school in Ohio? 

A high school diploma is one of the main requirements for barber school. Although it depends entirely on the school and what their requirements are, some barber colleges will accept the GED equivalent. 

How much does a barber make a year? 

The average hourly pay for a professional barber is $14.65, according to national occupational employment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The average hourly wage for barbers in the 90th percentile of this profession is $23.31. Barbers make an average of $30,480 per year. 

How often do you have to renew your barber license in Ohio? 

Annual renewals of OH barber licenses are due by July 1. An OH barber license renewal costs $110, and a barber instructor license renewal costs $150. 

How long does it take to get your GED? 

Your skill level and education level will determine how long it takes you to obtain your GED.

It usually takes three months, but depending on how well you prepared for the test, it might go more quickly. 

How much is barber school in Akron Ohio? 

Depending on qualifications, Akron Barber College tuition can cost anywhere between $6,000 and $10,000, with a median price of $7,999. 

Is barbering a good side hustle? 

There are many original ways to accomplish this, and you are not required to spend the entire day in a barbershop.

This could be the ideal side business for you if you’re interested in building your brand, traveling the world, making money, and giving the barbering community useful and lasting information. 

How can I make more money as a barber? 

Develop solid relationships with vendors while providing specialty retail products. Offering retail goods is a great way to increase revenue for your barbershop.

Sales of hair products are increasing quickly in the United States, and a third of men base their purchases on stylish recommendations. 

What makes a good barber? 

Any barber needs talent and confidence, but great barbers are also adaptable and always eager to learn.

A great barber must be able to adapt to changing hairstyles and fashions in order to maintain his or her excellence. 

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