Barbering is a highly skilled profession that requires both technical ability and artistry. As a barber, you will use a variety of tools and techniques to style hair. You will also need to be able to communicate with your clients and understand their needs.
Finding the right barber school in North Carolina is essential to your success in this field. We have assembled a series of resources for individuals interested in pursuing a career in barbering in the state of North Carolina.
State Requirements for Barber Licensing in North Carolina
To become a fully licensed barber in North Carolina, one must follow a series of steps that can be completed in two years. The following are the tasks that you must perform:
- Enroll in an accredited North Carolina barber school
- Complete a minimum of 1,528 hours of education
- Pass the Written and Practical Barber Exams
- Work as an Apprentice Barber for one year
- Apply for licensure as a Registered Barber
- Renew your license every year
How Much Do North Carolina Barber Programs Cost?
Tuition for barber schools in North Carolina can cost $10,000 – $20,000. Barbers must also pay for their own accommodation and meals, as well as their own barbering equipment and kits. They are also responsible for any registration, application, or licensing expenses involved with becoming a barber.
Talk with someone about financial aid possibilities, including federal scholarships and loan programs, that may be accessible to you when applying to schools.
Required Skills and Classes
To become a barber in North Carolina, you must attend a barber school accredited by the North Carolina Board of Barbering and complete a minimum of 1,528 training hours at the program. North Carolina barber schools are required by state law to provide instruction on the following subjects:
- Hair cutting
- Shaving
- Shampooing
- Application of creams and lotions
- Care and preparation of tools and implements
- Scientific massaging and manipulating the muscles of the scalp, face, and neck
- Sanitation and hygiene
- Shedding and regrowth of hair
- Elementary chemistry relating to sterilization and antiseptics
- Common skin and scalp diseases and disorders
- Pharmacology as it relates to preparations commonly used in barbershops
- Instruction in the use of electrical appliances and the effects of the use of these on the human skin
- Structure of the skin and hair
- Nerve points of the face
- Application of hair dyes and Bleaches
- Permanent waving
- Marcelling or hair pressing
- Frosting and streaking
- North Carolina barbering statutes and regulations
Barber school programs are split into three sections: Classroom Lecture, Supervised Practice in Barbering, and Lectures and Demonstrations on Practical Work. Below is a breakdown of minimum hour requirements spent for each of these categories as stated by the North Carolina Board of Barber Examiners:
Classroom Lecture and Study Periods
| Course | Hours |
| Hygiene and Good Grooming, Professional Ethics | 25 |
| Bacteriology, Sterilization, Sanitation | 50 |
| Implements, Honing, Stropping, and Shaving | 30 |
| Men’s Haircutting | 20 |
| Cutting and Styling Curly Hair, Mustaches, and Beards | 10 |
| Shampooing and Rinsing, Scalp and Hair Treatments | 10 |
| Theory of Massage and Facial Treatments | 5 |
| Men’s Razor Cutting, Women’s Razor, and Shear Cutting | 30 |
| Finger Waving Men’s Hair, Air Waving, and Curling Iron Techniques | 5 |
| Permanent Waving For Men, Chemical Hair Relaxing, and Blow Drying | 25 |
| Hair Coloring | 10 |
| Men’s Hair Pieces | 5 |
| The Skin, Scalp, and Hair | 30 |
| Disorders of the Skin, Scalp, and Hair | 15 |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 10 |
| Electricity Therapy, Light Therapy, and Chemistry | 10 |
| Barber Styling, Shop Management, and Product Knowledge | 70 |
| Licensing Laws and Rules and History of Barbering | 20 |
| Total | 380 |
Supervised Practice in Barbering
| Course | Hours |
| Shampooing and Scientific Hair and Scalp Treatments | 55 |
| Shaving | 50 |
| Tapered Hair Cutting | 250 |
| Hair Styling of Men and Women | 400 |
| Facials, Massages, and Packs | 10 |
| Bleaching, Frosting, Hair Coloring, and Body Permanents | 90 |
| Cutting and Fitting Hair Pieces | 5 |
| Hair Straightening | 5 |
| The Analyzing and Treatment of Hair and Skin Disorders | 10 |
| Total | 875 |
Lectures and Demonstrations on Practical Work
| Course | Hours |
| Shampooing and Scientific Hair and Scalp Treatments | 15 |
| Shaving | 20 |
| Tapered Hair Cutting | 70 |
| Hair Styling of Men and Women | 100 |
| Facials, Massages, and Packs | 5 |
| Bleaching, Frosting, Hair Coloring, and Permanent Waving | 30 |
| Cutting and Fitting Hair Pieces | 5 |
| Hair Straightening | 3 |
| The Analyzing and Treating of Hair and Skin Disorders | 10 |
| Men’s and Women’s Razor Cutting | 15 |
| Total | 273 |
Hours are recorded electronically by the barber school as well as by students for instructional hours. Students cannot record more than eight hours of training in a single day, but there are not restrictions on the number of hours that can be recorded in a given week or month. Some barber schools offer extended education, which may be optional or automatically included as a part of the program.
Upon completing the barber school program’s requirements for graduation, students are eligible to take the North Carolina barber exam.
State Licensing Exams
Applicants must pass both the North Carolina written and practical barber exams to be eligible to apply for licensure with a passing score of 70 on each section of the exam. Applicants must submit an application for examination, which also requires an $85 exam fee. The following is information for both sections of the barber exam:
Written
The North Carolina written barber exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. 10 questions relate to North Carolina barbering rules and regulations and the remaining 110 questions test your knowledge regarding all aspects of barbering and hair styling.
Practical
Applicants are required to bring their own male or female mannequin to be used during the practical exam. Live models are no longer allowed for the practical exam. A clamp must also be supplied for the mannequin and the mannequin must have a full head of hair. You must also bring barbering tools, towels, a haircloth, and other necessary supplies. You must also wear a jacket or barber smock as well as closed-toe shoes.
The practical exam must be completed in 45 minutes and consists of demonstrating the following concepts and services:
- Preparing the mannequin for service
- Sanitation
- Tapered neckline haircut
- Shaving
- Proper use of tools
Upon completing and passing both the written and practical exams, you will receive an apprentice barber license. You must practice as an apprentice barber for a minimum of one year before being eligible to apply for a regular barber license. All apprentice licenses expire on May 31, so you will likely need to renew your apprentice license.
How Much Do Barbers Get Paid in North Carolina?
The average salary for barbers in North Carolina is $49,870 per year or $23.98 an hour according to the BLS.
Does North Carolina Have Continuing Education Requirements for Barbers?
Barbers in North Carolina no longer need to complete continuing education requirements to renew their licenses. The Board recommends that barbers still engage in educational activities that further their knowledge and skills related to barbering.
How Do I Renew My North Carolina Barber License?
North Carolina barber licenses must be renewed online and must be completed every year. Your barber license will have a specific expiration date, and you will receive a notification for renewal. There is a $50 fee for both first time licenses and license renewals.
Contact Information for Licensing Board
The North Carolina Board of Barber Examiners can be contacted using the following details:
Website: https://www.barbers.nc.gov/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (919) 814-0640
Address: 7001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-7000
