How to Become a Licensed Barber in California

Want to become a licensed barber? Urban Barber College can help. We guide you through every step. This starts on day one of class. It ends with your state license. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Meet the Enrollment Rules

To enroll, you need:

• A high school diploma or GED
• To meet the age rule for a barber license
• To finish our sign-up process, with a talk with our staff

You don’t need a college degree. You don’t need past experience. We start you from scratch.

Step 2: Complete 1,000 Hours of Training

California requires 1,000 hours of training. Most full-time students finish in 7 to 10 months. You can train in Concord, San Jose, or Modesto.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Hands-on skills: haircuts, clipper work, razor shaves, beard design, and scalp care
• Theory: anatomy, clean tools, product basics, and safety rules
• Business skills: how to talk with clients, run a shop, and grow your client list

You’ll also work on real clients. This hands-on time builds true skill.

Step 3: Pass the State Exam

Once you finish your hours, you take the state exam. It has two parts:

• A written test on theory and safety
• A hands-on test of your skills

Our program follows the state’s own rules. Your training will match what’s on the test.

Step 4: Apply for Your License

Pass both parts of the exam. Then send in your application and fees. Once approved, you’re a licensed barber. You can work at a shop. You can rent a chair. You can even open your own shop one day.

Step 5: Choose Your Path

A barber license opens many doors. Licensed barbers often:

• Join a shop as staff
• Rent a chair and work for themselves
• Build toward owning their own shop
• Focus on one skill, like fades or beard work

How Long Does It Take?

Most of our students finish the whole path in under a year. That includes sign-up, training, and the exam. Full-time students often finish training in 7 to 10 months.

Financial Aid Options

Urban Barber College is state-approved and nationally accredited. All three of our campuses can offer federal financial aid. This includes our Modesto campus. If you qualify, this aid can help pay for your training. Our staff can walk you through your options.

Ready to start your path to a license? Request info today about our programs in Concord, San Jose, or Modesto.

or keep reading more about Job Growth for Barbers in California here

Urban Barber College is approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).