Barbering Schools in Arizona

If you're considering a career as a barber in Arizona, now could be the perfect time to get started. The field is exploding in the state with an anticipated growth rate over four times the expected national growth.

This page is here to help you figure out the steps you need to take to become a barber in Arizona. Browse our directory of barbering schools in Arizona, or skip ahead to learn about the state's barbering licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Barber in Arizona

To become a barber in Arizona, you must be at least 16, complete 1,200 hours of training in a barber program or 2,000 hours as an apprentice barber, pass two exams, and pay a licensing fee.

Additionally, you must have completed at least two years of high school to become a barber in Arizona.

If you choose to earn your license through a formal 1,200-hour barbering program, you must enroll in a school approved by the board.

In addition to the standard barbering topics that you study in your program, like haircutting and facial shaving, you're also required to take these courses:

• Professional ethics
• Shop management
• Regulatory provisions

If you prefer getting licensed via the apprenticeship route, you need 2,000 hours of training in a Department of Economic Security (DES) Apprentice Program.

You will take your barber licensing exams before the end of your formal program. One exam is on theoretical concepts, and the other is a practical exam, testing you on barbering treatments like haircutting and facial shaving.

After passing your exams, you pay a $100 initial license fee and apply for your barber license online.

If you're a cosmetologist or hairstylist and want to become licensed as a barber, you can complete a barbering crossover program with only 200 hours of training on barbering techniques.

What to Expect From a Barber Program in Arizona

Barber programs in Arizona have 1,200 hours of instruction and require the completion of courses covering hygiene, basic chemistry, barbering techniques, and more.

Per Arizona law, 250 hours of your instruction must cover:

• Fundamentals of barbering
• Hygiene
• Bacteriology
• Histology
• Structure of the head, face, and neck
• Relevant chemistry
• Skin, hair, and gland diseases

The remaining 950 hours of your training must include the following:

• Scalp, face, and neck massage
• Haircutting
• Shaving
• Hair chemical use

For a barber school to be licensed by the Arizona board, it must meet some basic qualifications, such as:

• Have all the equipment barber students need.
• Havie dedicated areas for classrooms.
• Provide all students with lockers.
• Pay a $25,000 fee to the board.

Can I Apprentice as a Barber in Arizona?

Yes, you can become a licensed barber in Arizona through a 2,000-hour apprenticeship. The only approved group for apprenticeship is Atarashii, which runs apprenticeship programs across the country and does a lot of advocacy work for this training method, including ensuring apprentices get paid.

The 2,000 hours of your apprenticeship must cover the same concepts as a formal barbering program in Arizona. You can take the training hours in a licensed Arizona barbering school or a program with "substantially equivalent" requirements.

Arizona Barber Licensing Requirements

To get your Arizona barber's license, you have to pass two written exams and pay a $100 fee after finishing your 1,200-hour training program or 2,000-hour apprenticeship.

To enroll for your exams, create an account with Professional Credential Services, Inc (PCS). Next, pre-register for your exams and pay a $177 exam fee (this covers both exams).

After pre-registering, go to your account home page and upload a government-issued photo I.D.

At this point, you can also submit an ADA form requesting accommodations for your exams. The form is due at least four weeks before you take your exam, so complete this step as soon as possible. You need a physician to verify you need the accommodation or a copy of approval for the same accommodation within the previous three years.

After completing these steps, PCS emails you a link to register for both exams.

On testing day, arrive 30 minutes before the exam starts. If you arrive late, you aren't allowed to take the test and must pay a rescheduling fee to retake it.

Bring a government-issued I.D. Leave your snacks, drinks, electronics, and books at home because they are not allowed at the testing site.

The first of the Arizona barber exams is a written theory exam published by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) and is known as the NIC exam.

The exam has 110 questions—100 of them are weighted to give your final score. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam.

Scientific concepts comprise 35% of this exam. You'll be tested on:

• Infection control and safety practices
• Anatomy and physiology
• Skin diseases and conditions
• Barber product chemistry

An additional 10% of the exam covers equipment used in barbering. Expect questions on the function and purpose of basic barbering tools, including electric instruments and safety procedures for using the tools.

Hair care services make up 40% of the questions. Brush up on topics like:

• Client consultation best practices
• Hair care treatments
• Hair design techniques
• Head shaving
• Common barbering chemical treatments

The final 15% of the exam is on facial hair shaving and treatments. You can expect questions on:

• Client consultations and how to analyze a client's skin
• Facial hair draping
• Safety procedures
• Electro light therapy

Your practical exam is also written, as opposed to hands-on (like most other states). It consists of 60 questions, 50 of which are weighted and contribute to your final score. You have 120 minutes to complete the exam.

While the theory exam tests your knowledge of similar concepts, you will apply your knowledge in the practical exam.

Scientific concepts make up 20% of the practical exam questions. Specifically:

• Infection control and safety
• Chemistry of barbering products

For the 20% of the exam focused on barbering equipment and tools, you'll be asked to identify and discuss safety procedures related to all standard barbering equipment, implements, supplies/materials, and electrical tools.

Another 40% of the exam covers hair care services. In this portion of the exam, you'll be tested on how to apply hair analysis, treatments, design, styling, shaving, and chemically relaxing and waving.

The final 20% will ask you to apply your facial hair and skin care services knowledge. The test asks you to apply your understanding of the following:

• Client consultations, including skin analysis
• Determining what skin care products to use
• Draping for facial hair and skin care services
• Facial shaves, facial hair design, and facials

After each exam, you're given an unofficial pass or fail notice. Then, 10 days after your exams, you receive your official scores via email.

Both exams require a score of 75 or higher to pass. If you fail one or both exams, you're given a report on your strengths and weaknesses. This should make studying easier since you know where to focus your efforts. Your report also includes information on how to retake your exams. If you fail one of the exams, that is the only one you need to retake.

Arizona Barber License Reciprocity

Arizona has barber license reciprocity agreements with all US states. If you hold a valid barber's license in any US state and have worked for a barber for at least a year, you can get your Arizona barber's license.

To earn your Arizona barber license via reciprocity from another US state, you need to provide proof of your employment as a barber for at least a year, sign a document confirming you understand Arizona's barbering laws and rules, and pay a $200 fee.

If you're a foreign national eligible to work in the United States, you can get your Arizona barber license via reciprocity if you have a valid barber's license from another country.

If this applies to you, you need to provide the following:

• Provide proof you've practiced as a barber for at least a year.
• Sign a document that confirms you understand Arizona barbering laws and regulations.
• Complete 350 hours of education in a board-approved program.
• Pay a $200 license reciprocity fee.

Barber License Renewal in Arizona

Arizona barber's licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday. You have to renew your license within 30 days of this deadline.

You aren't required to complete continuing education courses to renew your license. However, it's always better to keep your techniques and tools up to date. Ongoing professional development helps keep your barber skills sharp and could result in better jobs and pay.

You complete your renewal application and pay your $100 fee online via your eLicense profile.

Arizona Barbering Careers

The average annual salary for Arizona barbers is $43,260, or $20.80 per hour.

The pay and number of potential barbering job prospects could make Arizona a great place to work as a barber. The average salary for barbers across the state is the fifth-highest in the nation. And it's not just pay that makes Arizona an attractive place to be a barber; Arizona barber jobs are expected to grow by a whopping 33% between 2020 and 2030, as opposed to the 8% growth predicted nationally between 2021 and 2031.

At the low end, the bottom 10% of Arizona barbers earn $36,730 or less. On the high end, the top 10% of Arizona barbers earn $59,400 or more.

In 2022, the median salary for barbers in Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale metropolitan area was $40,750.

Contact the Arizona State Board of Barbering

Resources for Barbers in Arizona

Arizona Barber Candidate Handbook
This handbook, put together by the examination administrators, contains detailed information about the process of becoming a barber in Arizona, important laws and statutes, licensing exams, and more.

The American Barber Association, Arizona Page
This ABA page posts information and updates about barbering in Arizona.

Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Facebook Group
This Facebook group, which boasts 2.5k members, is a source of information about Arizona barbering news, events, products, and more. It's only open to licensed barbers or barbering students.