Barbering Schools in Pennsylvania

As the number of barber careers in Pennsylvania is expected to grow almost three times faster than the national average, now may be the perfect time to start learning about barber programs in the state. Browse our directory of barbering schools in Pennsylvania, or skip ahead to learn about the state's barbering licensing requirements and job outlook.

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215 West Main Street
Lansdale, PA 19446

Programs:
Cosmetology, Barbering

50 East Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Makeup Artistry, Teacher Training

9902 East Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19115

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Makeup Artistry, Teacher Training

344 Stroud Mall Road
Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Makeup Artistry, Teacher Training

1980 Edinboro Road
Erie, PA 16509

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Makeup Artistry, Teacher Training
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American Barber Academy – Accredited

733 Lancaster Avenue Unit A
Reading, PA 19607

Barber and Beauty Academy of Pennsylvania – Accredited

3849 C Union Deposit Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Barber School of Pittsburgh - Monroeville – Accredited

5056 William Penn Highway
Monroeville, PA 15146

Barber School of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh – Accredited

1201 Banksville Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Barber Styling Institute

3433 Simpson Ferry Road
Camp Hill, PA 17011

Champ's Barber School - Lancaster – Accredited

54 & 56 West King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602

Champions School of Barbering

304 South High Street Suite 2
West Chester, PA 19382

Community College of Allegheny County

800 Allegheny Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Cutting Edge Barber Academy - Lancaster – Accredited

114 West Orange Street
Lancaster, PA 17603

Final Touch Barber Academy

925 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Indiana County Technology Center

441 Hamill Road
Indiana, PA 15701

Lehigh Valley Barber School - Bethlehem – Accredited

1517B Irene Street
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Lehigh Valley Barber School - Philadelphia – Accredited

114 North 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Merge Barber School

431 West Tilghman Street
Allentown, PA 18102

Metro Barber Academy – Accredited

207 Valley Road
Enola, PA 17903

Metropolitan Barber Academy

207 Valley Road
Enola, PA 17025

Premier Barber Institute – Accredited

573 East Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401

Professional Barber Institute

8862 Frankstown Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Reading Barber Institute

810 Oley Street Space E
Reading, PA 19604

World A Cuts Barber Institute – Accredited

121 North George Street
York, PA 17401
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 Pennsylvania have to offer.

How to Become a Barber in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Barbering Careers At a Glance
  • 1,250 education hours or 1,250 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 Pennsylvania is $36,120.
  • There is a predicted 22% job increase between 2020–2030 for barbers.

To become a barber in Pennsylvania, you must finish training, pass two exams, and pay the required fees.

When it comes to the nitty gritty expectations, you need to:

  • Have completed 8th grade or its equal
  • Be at least 16
  • Complete 1,250 hours of barber training
  • Pay the $170 licensing fee, including the $30 application fee, $63 theory exam fee, and $77 practical exam fee
  • Pass theory and practical exams
  • Turn in background checks from any place you've lived, worked, or trained over the last five years

What to Expect from a Barber Program in Pennsylvania

1,250 Education Hours

Required to earn a barbering license

Pennsylvania barber training includes 1,250 hours in hair care, science, and business.

Specifically, you should expect to take classes on:

  • Bacteriology: 25 hours
  • Facial massage: 25 hours
  • Hair coloring: 25 hours
  • Hair cutting, styling, and hairpieces: 535 hours
  • Hair waving, perming, and straightening: 25 hours
  • Honing and stropping (straight razor care): 25 hours
  • Hygiene: 25 hours
  • Laws, rules, and regulations: 50 hours
  • Physiology: 50 hours
  • Barbershop ethics and demeanor: 25 hours
  • Electricity: 25 hours
  • Scalp and skin disease: 50 hours
  • Shampoo and scalp massages: 25 hours
  • Shaving and straight razor use: 240 hours
  • Sterilization and sanitation: 50 hours
  • Miscellaneous, e.g., management, instruments, orientation, exam prep: 50 hours

A licensed Pennsylvania barber school needs the required equipment, adequate space, and clean conditions.

Can I Apprentice as a Barber in Pennsylvania?

1,250 Apprentice Hours

Required to earn a barbering license

Yes, you can become a licensed barber in Pennsylvania via a 1,250-hour apprenticeship. Your apprenticeship must be in a licensed barber shop with a barber manager or teacher.

Pennsylvania barber apprenticeships cover the same topics as school programs. Instruction divides up as follows:

  • Bacteriology: 25 hours
  • Barbershop ethics and behavior: 25 hours
  • Electricity: 25 hours
  • Facial massage: 25 hours
  • Hair coloring: 25 hours
  • Hair cutting, styling, and hairpieces: 535 hours
  • Hair waving, perming, and straightening: 25 hours
  • Honing and stropping: 25 hours
  • Hygiene: 25 hours
  • Laws, rules, and regulations: 50 hours
  • Physiology: 50 hours
  • Scalp and skin disease: 50 hours
  • Shampoo and scalp massages: 25 hours
  • Shaving and straight razor use: 240 hours
  • Sterilization and sanitation: 50 hours
  • Miscellaneous, e.g., management, instruments, orientation, exam prep: 50 hours

Apprentices must also perform a total of 550 barber procedures during their training:

  • Colors: 50 hours
  • Facial massage: 50 hours
  • Haircuts: 200 hours
  • Perms: 50 hours
  • Shampoos: 50 hours
  • Shaves: 150 hours

Pennsylvania Barber Licensing Requirements

To become a licensed barber in Pennsylvania, after training, you need to pass two exams and pay fees.

After you apply, testing admin Pearson VUE should send you an "Approval to Test." This includes instructions on scheduling your practical and theory tests.

If you need ADA accommodations, provide documentation about your condition and its effects. This could include a letter from a physician or a description of past accommodations.

On exam day, bring two forms of current, signature-bearing identification. At least one needs to be government issued and have a photo. You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled testing time.

The theory exam costs $63 and can be in English or Spanish. The test lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes and comprises 110 scored items. These include topics on:

Rules, regulations, and safety: 25%-30%

  • Safety: Patron protection, safe working conditions, first aid, and OSHA
  • Sanitation and disinfection

Hair/Scalp structure and care: 5%-10%

  • Hair and scalp care services
  • Hair properties
  • Hair type

Shaving/Beard design: 6%-10%

  • Procedures
  • Products and tools
  • Shaving safety
  • Techniques

Haircutting and hairstyling: %-30%

  • Haircutting
  • Hairstyling

Chemical Services: 20%-25%

  • Chemical hair relaxing
  • Chemical waving
  • Hair coloring

Skincare: 4%-8%

  • Facial services
  • Skin analysis

The practical exam covers the following:

  • Infection control and safety: 10 minutes
  • Shaving: 25 minutes
  • Skincare: 20 minutes
  • Haircutting: Basic layered cut (20 minutes), tapered haircut (20 minutes)
  • Hair coloring/bleaching: Retouch (10 minutes), virgin (15 minutes)
  • Permanent waving: 15 minutes
  • Chemical hair straightening and relaxing: Retouch (15 minutes), virgin (17 minutes)
  • Honing and stropping: 15 minutes

For the practical exam, you need to wear a smock or apron and bring the required equipment:

  • Clippers
  • Conventional razor
  • First-aid kit
  • Live model/mannequin
  • Scissors

You must score 75 to pass both exams, and you get to find out if you passed right away.

Pennsylvania Barber License Reciprocity

Pennsylvania has barber license reciprocity agreements with several states. Others can get licensed by endorsement.

To qualify for licensure by reciprocity, you must:

  • Have a current barber license.
  • Submit a reciprocity application and pay the $60 fee.
  • Submit a certification letter from the state board verifying the current license.
  • Submit a Letter of Good Standing for all states where you have a barber license.
  • Submit a background check for each state where you lived or worked.

The following states have license reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania:

  • California
  • Delaware
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Montana
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Virginia

You must apply for a license by endorsement if your license isn't from one of these states. But you only need to take the Pennsylvania barber theory exam for endorsement. You have one year after arriving and applying for examination to do so.

Military service members, veterans, and spouses can apply for expedited licensure. They may also skip training if they've worked for at least two years and passed exams.

Barber Specialties in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, licensed cosmetologists often become barbers and vice versa through crossover programs.

Cosmetologists' 555 training hours can apply to the 1,250-hour barber training requirements. Before a cosmetologist can take the barber exam, they must undergo 695 training hours:

  • Hair cutting, styling, and hairpieces: 330 hours
  • Honing and stropping: 50 hours
  • Laws, rules, and regulations: 50 hours
  • Miscellaneous, e.g., management, instruments, orientation, exam prep: 25 hours
  • Shaving and straight razor use: 240 hours

Barber License Renewal in Pennsylvania

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

You need to renew your Pennsylvania barber license every two years. To do so, you must pay the $160 renewal fee. Continuing education isn't required to renew. But it can help you be the best barber you can be.

Barber Salary and Projected Job Growth in Pennsylvania

$36,120

Average yearly salary for barbering in Pennsylvania

As of 2022, barbers in Pennsylvania average $36,120 per year ($17.36 per hour). Further, Pennsylvania's barber careers should grow by 22% between 2020 and 2030. This is much higher than the national average of 8%.

Contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Barbering

Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners

Resources for Barbers in Pennsylvania

American Barber Association Pennsylvania Chapter
Organization providing industry opportunities, education, and advocacy for Pennsylvania barbers

Pennsylvania Barbers and Cosmetologists
Facebook group for Pennsylvania barbers and cosmetologists, focused on education and industry concerns

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How to Become a Barber in Your State