Do you spend time enjoying the art of men’s grooming at your local barbershop? Are you intrigued by beard styling and hair-cutting techniques? If you’re considering a career as a hair professional, becoming a barber offers a fulfilling path. It’s not just about mastering the use of barbering tools and equipment; it’s about creating a style and comfort for your clients. Hair continues to grow, and people will always need skilled professionals to help manage and style it. The first step to entering this dynamic field is enrolling in a comprehensive barbering program at a vocational school, like Florida Technical College. Why is this important? Because the second, crucial step in your journey is getting licensed, especially if you’re wondering how to become a licensed barber in Florida.
Why Do You Need a License to Be a Barber?
The main reason the State of Florida requires all barbers to be licensed is to ensure that they are well-versed in the best practices of men’s grooming, including sophisticated beard styling and advanced hair-cutting techniques. A license is a testament to your proficiency in safety, sanitation, and sterilization – all critical aspects of being a responsible hair professional. It also signifies that you are skilled at using various barbering tools and equipment safely and effectively. These skills are developed and honed in a dedicated barbering program. As an applicant for a barber license in Florida, you must have completed a specific number of hours in an accredited vocational school. To learn more about these application requirements, visit the State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The barbering diploma program at Florida Technical College is designed to “teach to the test,” providing lectures and lab work that helps prepare to take the barber license exam.
What is on the Florida State Barbering License Exam?
The barbering license exam in Florida is comprehensive, covering various aspects crucial to a career in men’s grooming. It includes knowledge of beard styling, proficiency with barbering tools, and the latest hair-cutting techniques. The exam is divided into seven parts, each focusing on a different aspect of professional barbering.
Based on the barbering candidate information booklet offered by the State of Florida, there are two types of barbering licenses. A regular barbering license and a restricted barbering license. Both barbering licenses allow you to cut hair, shampoo, blow dry, and apply hair tonics and hair sprays. However, a restricted barber license does not allow you to perform chemical services, like permanent waving, relaxing, and hair coloring. The barbering license exams are broken up into seven parts:
Part #1: Safety, Sanitation and Sterilization
During this part of the barber license exam, you will be tested on your knowledge of safety, sanitation, and sterilization. You will need to know the different methods of sterilization and sanitation, how to adhere to proper personal hygiene standards, the understanding of disease transmission and precaution, first aid treatment, proper use of draping, and how to properly store and dispose of hair appliances, chemicals, and supplies.
Part #2: Florida Barber Laws and Rules
The next part of the barber license exam focuses on Florida barber laws and rules. You will prove your proficiency in regulation and its purpose, barbering terminology, board membership, licensure requirements, disciplinary guidelines, and how to maintain licensing status. These laws will cover both the individual barber and the barbershop owner.
Part #3: Hair Cutting & Hair Styling
In this part of the exam, you will use the knowledge obtained from the barbering diploma program to prove your proficiency on different hair cutting techniques. Also, proper use of the equipment and tools to cut and style hair. The hair cutting and styling equipment that you will need to demonstrate proper technique for include cutting shears, clippers, pressing combs, blow dryers, curling irons, and finger wave chemicals. You will also need to know how to take care, cut and style wigs and hairpieces.
Part #4: Chemical Procedures
This part of the barbering license exam tests your knowledge of the patch test, strand test, hair color procedures, chemicals used in lighting and bleaching, scalp and hair analysis, use of permanent wave solutions, hair relaxing products, chemical blowouts, and application of base. Proper procedure when using chemicals is important for the client. OSHA focuses on the rules and guidelines for proper chemical procedure, for your safety as a barber while working in a barbershop.
Part #5: Hair Structure and Chemistry
This part of the exam focuses on the hair structure, anatomy of hair and the chemistry of hair. You will need to prove proficiency in hair composition, division and layers. You will be tested on how hair grows, knowledge of hair disorders, and how to analyze the hair structure. All of this will be reviewed during a barbering diploma program.
Part #6: Shaving, Beard, and Mustache Training
One of the most important reasons why clients will want to go to a licensed barber is proper shaving, beard and mustache trimming. Safety is of the utmost importance when using a straight blade to shave a client’s face. This part of the exam will also focus on shaving positions and procedure, mustache design, beard design, coloring facial hair and proper use and cleaning of shaving tools and accessories.
Part #7: Shampooing
The final part of the barbering license exam focuses on shampooing technique. You will need to know about shampooing technique, water temperatures, pH levels, and hair and scalp conditioning. Although shampooing is primarily used in salons, it is important for a barber to know how to properly shampoo a client’s hair, specifically concerning the pH levels.
Career Opportunities and Growth in Barbering
After obtaining your barber license, a myriad of career opportunities await. The field of men’s grooming has been experiencing a renaissance, and the demand for skilled barbers is on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for barbers is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by an increasing population and the growing trend of men paying more attention to their appearance.
Barbershop Ownership or Management:
With experience, many barbers progress to owning or managing their barbershops, where they have the freedom to cultivate a unique client experience and business model.
Specialist Roles:
Some barbers specialize in certain areas like beard styling, hair coloring, or providing luxury grooming services, setting themselves apart in the industry.
Educational Roles:
Experienced barbers often have opportunities to teach at barbering schools or offer workshops, sharing their expertise with the next generation.
Freelance and Mobile Barbering:
Offering services as a freelance barber or setting up a mobile barbershop can provide flexibility and a wider client base.
Styling for Film, Television, and Theater:
Barbers with a flair for creative styling can find opportunities in the entertainment industry, working with actors and performers.
Men’s Grooming Product Development:
Involvement in the development and marketing of men’s grooming products is another avenue, particularly for those with an interest in the business side of the industry.
As you grow in your career, continuous learning and adaptation to new trends and techniques will be key to your success and progression in the field of barbering.
Final Thoughts
Are you ready to embark on a journey to become a licensed barber in Florida? It’s a career that goes beyond just cutting hair; it involves mastering men’s grooming and beard styling and using various barbering tools and equipment effectively. It’s about building a network of clients, fostering relationships, and contributing positively to the community. If you’re passionate about graduating from a barbering program and meeting the state’s licensing requirements, then this is the right career path for you.
Want to Learn More?
The Barbering Diploma Program at Florida Technical College offers an in-depth exploration into the world of men’s grooming. It equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge in hair-cutting techniques, beard styling, and the proper use of barbering tools and equipment. This program prepares graduates not just for Florida licensure in barbering but also for a successful and rewarding career as a hair professional. From understanding the basics of hair care to mastering advanced styling techniques.. You’ll learn how to become a licensed barber in Florida, and explore the dynamic world of men’s grooming.*
Ready to move from the classroom to a career? Florida Technical College is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us to learn more about completing the barbering diploma program at Florida Technical College.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
