Becoming a barber in Minnesota is a process that begins with completing an accredited barber school program. There are several barber schools located throughout the state of Minnesota, but they all provide similar curriculum that meets basic requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Barbers. Below you will find information on barber schools located across Minnesota as well as helpful career information.
Barber Schools in Minnesota
State Requirements for Barber Licensing in Minnesota
To work as a barber in Minnesota, you must first complete the following steps:
- Enroll in an approved barber school
- Complete 1,500 required hours of training
- Pass the Written and Practical barber exams
- Renew your license annually
How Much Do Minnesota Barber Programs Cost?
Barber school programs in Minnesota typically cost between $8,000 and $20,000 per year. For example, the current tuition cost for the Minnesota School of Barbering is $14,000 once factoring in application fees, tools, and tuition.
Students may qualify for federal grants, scholarships, or loans that can help to cover the total costs of barbering programs. Check with your chosen barbering school’s financial aid department to see if you qualify for any of these types of financial assistance.
Required Skills and Classes
To work as a barber in Minnesota, you must first complete a Board-approved barber school. All barber schools in Minnesota are required to provide at least 1,500 hours in subjects related to the services of barbering, and the classes cannot be offered for longer than 10 hours in a given day. For this reason, most barber school programs in Minnesota last approximately one year.
All barber schools in Minnesota must include instruction on the following topics:
- Scientific fundamentals for barbering
- Hygiene
- Practical study of the hair
- Skin, muscles, and nerves
- Structure of the head, face, and neck
- Elementary chemistry relating to sterilization and antiseptics
- Diseases of the skin, hair, and glands
- Massaging and manipulating the muscles of the face and neck
- Hair cutting
- Shaving
- Beard trimming
- Bleaching, tinting and dyeing hair
- Chemical straightening of hair
Once enrolled in a barber school, you will apply for and be assigned a barber student permit. The permit allows you to work at the training facility of the school, but you are not allowed to legally practice outside of that facility.
You may be required to keep track of your classroom and floor hours yourself, however your school may keep track of hours for you. Even if your school keeps track of your hours, it is a good idea to log them as well so you can keep track of your progress.
Once you have finished the 1,500 hours of barbering classes and work, your barber school will provide you and the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners with a completion certificate. You will then be eligible to schedule and take the barber exam.
Public Barber Schools
There are many privately owned barber schools across the state of Minnesota, however there are only five public barber schools:
Minnesota School of Barbering
Address: 3615 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: 612-722-1996
Website: www.minnesotaschoolofbarbering.org
Moler Barber School
Address: 785 53rd Ave. NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Phone: 763-710-9093
Website: www.molerbarberschool.com
Moler Barber School of St. Paul
Address: 858 Arcade St, St Paul, MN 55106
Phone: 651-200-4691
Website: www.molerbarberschoolofstpaul.com
Moler Barber School of Minnesota
Address: 4801 Central Avenue, Suite 100, Columbia Heights, MN 55443
Phone: 612-964-1172
Website: www.molerbarberschoolofmn.com
Townsend Barber Institute
Address: 694 County Road B West, Roseville, MN 55113
For Information 651-330-9098
Website: www.townsendbarberinstitute.com
State Licensing Exams
The state of Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners requires that all individuals purchase a barber study course book, known as the “Home Study Course”, in order to help them prepare for the written portion of the barber exam. The application for the Home Study Course has a fee of $75.
After completing the requirements for a barber school in Minnesota, individuals are eligible to register for the barber examination, which takes place on the first Monday in the months of February, May, August, and November. The deadline for applications is the 20th of the month before each scheduled exam, unless the 20th falls on a weekend day, in which case the deadline is the Friday before the 20th.
The barber exam in Minnesota consists of a written section and a practical section.
Written Exam
The written barber exam for Minnesota consists of 100 multiple choice questions as well as true or false questions. The topics include:
- Barber school curriculum and topics outlined in the Home Study Course
- Disinfection
- Sanitation
- Infection control
- Minnesota Statutes and Rules
Practical Exam
The practical exam requires that you demonstrate knowledge of subjects learned in barber school including:
- Preparation
- Sanitation and infection control procedures
- Straight razor shaving
- Facials
- Taper haircut
- Rolling perm rods
- Precision
- Overall skill
An average minimum score of 75% must be achieved on both sections of the exam to pass. Results from the exam are distributed within five business days.
How Much Do Barbers Get Paid in Minnesota?
According to the BLS, barbers in Minnesota make on average $36,340 per year or $17.47 per hour, approximately.
Does Minnesota Have Continuing Education Requirements for Barbers?
There are currently no continuing education requirements for barbers in Minnesota.
How Do I Renew My Minnesota Barber License?
Barbers are required to renew their licenses every year before December 31. This can be completed online or by mail.
Contact Information for Licensing Board
Contact the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners with the following contact information:
Website: https://mn.gov/boards/barber-examiners/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (651)201-2820
Address: 335 Randolph Avenue, Suite 120, St. Paul MN 55102
