If you live in Tennessee and are looking to start a career in the barbering industry, you’ll need to attend a barber school. At a barber school, you’ll learn all the skills and techniques you need to know to be a successful barber. You’ll also learn about the business side of running a barber shop, so you can be your own boss one day.
Completing an accredited barber school program located in Tennessee is the first step, and we’ve compiled a list of schools to get you started. We’ve also included some helpful career information, so you can learn more about what it takes to be a successful barber.
Barber Schools in Tennessee
State Requirements for Barber Licensing in Tennessee
There are four basic requirements for becoming a barber in Tennessee. These are the following steps to take:
- Enroll in a barber school located in Tennessee
- Complete 1,500 hours of education for Master Barbers, or 340 hours for Barber Technicians
- Pass the Barber Exams
- Renew license every two years
How Much Do Tennessee Barber Programs Cost?
The cost of barber schools in Tennessee can range from $5,000 – $13,000 for Master Barbers and $2,000 – $5,000 for Barber Technicians.
Students are typically expected to cover additional costs not associated with tuition including but not limited to barber kits, barber supplies, study materials, books, exam fees, and license application fees.
It’s a good idea to contact the financial aid department at your barber school to inquire about financial aid that you may qualify for. FAFSA, Pell Grants, scholarships, and subsidized loans are a few options that students can utilize to lower the total cost of completing a barber school program.
Required Skills and Classes
There are two main types of barber licenses in Tennessee – barber technicians and master barbers.
Barber Technicians
Barber Technicians are legally allowed to provide a limited scope of barbering services when compared to Master Barbers. Barber Technicians are allowed to provide assistance in coloring hair, shampooing, manicuring nails, and also applying cosmetic preparations like oils, powders or lotions to the scalp, face or neck. They are not allowed to provide haircutting, hairstyling, shaving, or some chemical services. Most Barber Technicians work under the direct supervision of a Master Barber.
Becoming a Barber Technician requires completing a minimum of 340 hours of education at a barber school and passing the Barber Exams for Barber Technicians.
Master Barbers
Master Barbers can provide a full scope of barbering services including:
- Shaving or trimming beards
- Cutting and styling the hair
- Giving facial and scalp massages or treatments with oils, creams, lotions or other preparations
- Singeing
- Curling
- Shampooing
- Coloring
- Bleaching
- Straightening the hair
- Applying hair tonics
- Adapting head caps for wigs or hair pieces
- Weaving of human locks
- Application of cosmetic preparations such as antiseptics powders, oils cosmetics
Master Barbers must first complete 1,500 hours of education in a registered barber school. If a student attended training through an approved school of cosmetology, 300 of those hours can count towards the 1,500 hour requirement.
State Licensing Exams
Once you have successfully completed a barber school program, you are eligible to apply to take the Tennessee barber exam. Master Barbers and Barber Technicians take separate exams with different formats. The exam consists of three separate exams and you must pass all three in order to apply for a barber license: The Theory exam, the Tennessee Law test, and the Practical Exam.
Master Barber Exam
The Master Barber exam consists of a Theory section and a practical section:
Theory Exam
The Master Barber Theory exam consists of 100 questions, and you have 2 hours to complete the exam. There are also 10 questions asked at the start of the exam that do not factor into your overall score. There is also a $70 fee that must be paid prior to taking the exam. The test is closed book and the following is the content outline for the Master Barber Theory exam:
- Safety and Infection Control – 29 questions
- Client Consultation – 2 questions
- Hair, Scalp, and Skin Analysis – 11 questions
- Hairstyling – 5 questions
- Haircutting – 9 questions
- Chemical Services – 18 questions
- Shaving – 24 questions
- Skin Care – 2 questions
Tennessee Law Test
The Tennessee Law Test consists of 25 questions that tests your knowledge of rules and regulations that barbers and barbershops located in the state of Tennessee must follow. The test is closed book and has a 40 minute time limit. The following is the content outline for the Tennessee Law Test:
- Sanitation, Disinfection and Safety – 5 questions
- Licensing – 20 questions
Practical Exam
The practical section of the Tennessee Master Barber exam tests your ability to perform barbering services in front of a proctor. The test taker is expected to bring necessary supplies such as a barbering kit that is needed to complete the exam. The test is administered by PSI, and there is a $70 exam fee associated with the practical exam, which must be paid to PSI. The practical exam contains eight (8) topic areas:
- Workstation Preparation – 10 minutes
- Haircutting – 30 minutes
- Straight Razor Shaving – variable timing
- Chemical Wave – variable timing
- Foil Highlights – 10 minutes
- Hydroxide Virgin Relaxer – 25 minutes
- Haircolor Retouch – 25 minutes
- Basic Facial – 25 minutes
- Basic Manicure – 25 minutes
- End Of Day Clean Up – 10 minutes
Barber Technician Exam
Barber technicians are required to take the same Tennessee Law Exam as Master Barbers. They must also take a Theory Exam and a Practical Exam that covers topics under their limited scope of services.
Theory Exam
The Barber Technician Theory Exam consists of 50 questions that must be completed within one hour. The following is a content overview for the exam:
- Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety – 13 questions
- Shampooing and Conditioning hair – 7 questions
- Hair coloring – 15 questions
- Nail Care and Skin Care – 7 questions
- Licensing and Regulations – 8 questions
Practical Exam
The Barber Technician Practical Exam is made up of 63 total points and lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and tests your ability to perform the following services:
- Pre-Exam Set Up and Disinfection – 4 points. 10 minutes allowed
- Manicure Service – 15 points. 22 minutes allowed
- Facial Service – 16 points. 12 minutes allowed
- Blood Exposure Incident – 14 points. 17 minutes allowed
- Single Process Color Service – 11 points. 12 minutes allowed
- End of Exam Disinfection – 3 points. 10 minutes allowed.
How Much Do Barbers Get Paid in Tennessee?
Barbers in Tennessee make an average of $31,470 a year or $15.13 an hour according to the BLS.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for barbers for license renewal. However, the Board encourages barbers to attend educational seminars, events, classes, and other activities that further their barbering education and experience.
How Do I Renew My Tennessee Barber License?
Master Barber licenses must be renewed every two years and there is a $60 fee for license renewals.
Contact Information for Licensing Board
The Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners can be reached using the following information:
Website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/cosmo.html
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (615) 741-2294
Address: 500 James Robertson Pkwy #130, Nashville, TN 37243-0565
