Barbering Schools in Missouri

Missouri barbers are trained and licensed professionals who work on short hairstyles and facial hair. The pay is higher than average and adding additional licenses or certifications is straightforward relative to other states. Plus, you don't need to take additional classes to maintain your license—though we do recommend it.

Ready to learn more? This article covers how to become a barber in Missouri, including what to expect from a barber program or apprenticeship, how to renew your license, and information about the state's barber pay and job growth. Browse our directory of barbering schools in Missouri, or skip ahead to learn about the state's barbering licensing requirements and job outlook.

Browse All Barbering Schools in Missouri

For School Owners

Don't see your school listed? Want to discuss becoming a featured school in the directory? Contact us to learn more.

1834 South Glenstone Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

14858 Manchester Road
Ballwin, MO 63011

(636) 394-7335
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology

14133 U.S. Highway 40
Kansas City, MO 64136

Programs:
Barbering
Ad

Find Cosmetology Schools Near You

Academy of Beauty Professionals – Accredited

800 West Foxwood Drive
Raymore, MO 64083

Academy of Salon Professionals – Accredited

2414 South Limit Avenue
Sedalia, MO 65301

Antonio's Barber College - St. Louis – Accredited

6253 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63121

Artichely Hair Academy – Accredited

4624 Delmar Street
Saint Louis, MO 63108

Capital Barber Academy – Accredited

510 South Ellis Boulevard Capital View Plaza
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Chillicothe Beauty Academy and Tech – Accredited

505 Elm Street
Chillicothe, MO 64601

Ea La Mar's Cosmetology & Barber College – Accredited

1510 Prospect Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64127

J. Larae' Academy Of Beauty Art – Accredited

605 Brunt Boulevard Suite B
Sikeston, MO 63801

Klassic Transformations Barber Academy – Accredited

298 Southwest Blue Parkway
Lee's Summit, MO 64063

Leonard Barber College

4974 Natural Bridge Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63115

Leonard's Barber College – Accredited

4974 Natural Bridge
Saint Louis, MO 63115

Luxx Beauty & Barber Institute – Accredited

1729 West Broadway 5
Columbia, MO 65203

Merrell University of Beauty Arts & Science - Esthetics Division – Accredited

1101 Southwest Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Merrell University of Beauty Arts & Science - Main Campus – Accredited

1753 Woodclift Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia – Accredited

1101 Hutchens Drive
Columbia, MO 65203

Paul Mitchell The School Springfield – Accredited

3017 South Kansas Expressway
Springfield, MO 65807

Saint Charles Barber College – Accredited

1510 Eim Street
Saint Charles, MO 63301

The Ultimate Cosmetology and Barber Academy – Accredited

10420 West Florissant Avenue
Dellwood, MO 63136-2343

Transformed Barber and Cosmetology Academy – Accredited

6025 Prospect Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64130

Trend Setters School – Accredited

835 South Kingshighway Cape
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Barbering Schools Near Me

Check out the Barbering schools these cities in Missouri have to offer.

How to Become a Barber in Missouri

Missouri Barbering Careers At a Glance
  • 1,000 education hours or 2,000 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for barbers in Missouri is $43,340.
  • There is a predicted 8% job increase between 2021–2031 for barbers.

To become a barber in Missouri, you must complete a state-approved barber program or apprenticeship, pass written and practical exams, and apply and pay for your license.

Before enrolling in a program, you must:

  • Be at least 17 years old.
  • Have no easily communicable diseases.
  • Explain any criminal history and steps taken to rehabilitate.

What to Expect From a Barber Program in Missouri

1,000 Education Hours

Required to earn a barbering license

Missouri barber programs take approximately 1,000 hours or six months to complete. The Missouri barber exams cover theory and practical subjects like:

  • Bloodborne pathogens
  • Chemical waving and relaxing
  • Client relations
  • Dyeing, including predisposition (color effectiveness) testing
  • Hair cutting
  • Non-chemical curling
  • Straight razor shaving

All barber schools and programs must be approved by the state.

Can I Apprentice as a Barber in Missouri?

2,000 Apprentice Hours

Required to earn a barbering license

Yes, you can become a barber apprentice in Missouri beginning at age 17. To be a Missouri barber apprentice, you must earn an apprentice license (costing $25) and work for at least 2,000 hours under an approved supervisor. Apprentice workdays must be between three and 12 hours long, at between 15 to 72 hours per week.

Missouri Barber Licensing Requirements

To get your Missouri barber license, you must complete training, pass exams, pay fees, and meet some specific health and criminal record requirements.

Some, though not all, barber license requirements in Missouri include:

  • Complete at least 1,000 barber school or 2,000 barber apprentice hours.
  • Pass NIC theory and practical exams.
  • Apply for and obtain. your barber license.
  • Prove any acceptable criminal history (e.g., no major or relevant felonies) is unlikely to recur.

When it's time to take your Missouri barber exams, you need to arrive on time and leave non-essential items at home. Guests aren't allowed. If you need assistance or ADA accommodations, such as an ASL interpreter, request it when you apply for your exam online.

The theory ($88) and practical ($58) exams are offered at specific locations and on certain dates throughout the year. Be sure to apply for your desired date as soon as possible. Once you pass the exams, you need to pay a $20 Certification of Registration (initial license) fee so you can get your license and get to work.

If you're a veteran going for your Missouri barber license, you may qualify to have your exam fees covered.

Missouri Barber License Reciprocity

Barbers moving to Missouri may be eligible for reciprocity if they've practiced for at least two years in a row and have no current disciplinary action. Those not meeting the requirements could get licensure by taking Missouri's barber exams and paying fees. Both options come with a $100 fee for Missouri licenses.

Barber Specialties and Crossover Licenses

If you want to expand upon your barber career, Missouri offers direct crossover licenses between barbering and cosmetology. You must complete 500 cosmetology training hours or 500 to 1,000 apprenticeship hours, depending on how long you've been licensed. Cosmetologists in Missouri can also cross over to barbering.

If you want to practice hair braiding in addition to working as a barber, you need to register with the state after watching an approved instructional video. The registration fee is $20.

Barber License Renewal in Missouri

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

Barber licenses have to be renewed by September 30 on odd years and come with a $30 fee. Late payments before November 30 of that year are an additional $60. Beyond that, up to two years later, you must contact the board directly. You must re-take the practical exam if your license lapses for two to five years.

Missouri barbers don't need to take continuing education classes to renew their licenses, but doing so is a good idea so you can stay on top of your game.

Barber Salary and Projected Job Growth in Missouri

$43,340

Average yearly salary for barbering in Missouri

Barbers in Missouri average $43,340 per year ($20.84 per hour), which is much more than the nationwide average barber salary. Though Missouri doesn't publish details, the number of barber jobs is expected to grow by 8 percent between 2021 and 2031.

How much barbers make in Missouri also varies between metro and nonmetropolitan areas. Missouri barber pay ranges from approximately $27,240 to $65,310, also higher than the national average!

The median pay for the highest-paying cities in the state are:

  • Kansas City, MO-KS: $41,490
  • St. Louis, MO-IL: $44,290

Contact the Missouri State Board of Barbering

Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Resources for Barbers in Missouri

Missouri Barber Association
Use this resource for networking, professional recognition, business growth, and more.

State Beauty Supply
A wholesale salon and supply company in St. Louis, Kansas City, Chillicothe, Rolla, and Washington.

Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Barbering
Missouri

How to Become a Barber in Your State

Select a beauty program and state to view schools