How to Become a Barber in Washington

To become a licensed barber in Washington, you must complete either 1,000 hours at a licensed barber school or 2,000 hours through an approved apprenticeship. You must also pass Washington’s written and practical barber examinations.

If you enjoy working with people, expressing your creativity, and helping clients feel confident, barbering could be the right path for you. Barbers combine technical skills with personal connection, creating everything from classic cuts and clean fades to carefully shaped beards and smooth shaves.

Here’s what you should know about how to become a barber in Washington and how Elite Cosmetology, Barber & Spa Academy can help you begin your journey.

What Does a Barber Do?

A barber is a licensed professional who provides hair and grooming services. Depending on their training and workplace, a barber may provide:

• Haircuts and trims
• Fades and clipper cuts
• Shampooing and styling
• Beard and mustache design
• Facial hair trimming
• Shaving
• Scalp and hair analysis
• Client consultations

There’s more to barbering than creating a great haircut. Barbers also need to understand sanitation, safety, customer service, and the professional practices that help clients feel comfortable in their chair.

Do You Need a Barber License in Washington?

Yes. You must hold an active Washington barber license to provide barbering services for a fee. Becoming licensed includes four main steps:

1. Complete an approved barber school program or apprenticeship.
2. Pass the required written examination.
3. Pass the required practical examination.
4. Complete the licensing process through the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Let’s take a closer look at each step.

Step 1: Choose a Barber Training Path

Washington offers two ways to complete your barber training. You can attend a licensed barber school or complete a state-approved apprenticeship. 

Attend a Licensed Barber School

Students who attend a licensed barber school must complete at least 1,000 hours of training.

Barber school provides a structured curriculum, direct guidance from instructors, hands-on practice, and opportunities to learn alongside other students. This can be a good fit if you want consistent support while developing your skills and preparing for the state exams.

Elite Cosmetology, Barber & Spa Academy offers a 1,000-hour barber program that can be completed in as few as 34 weeks. Students learn through classroom instruction, demonstrations, practical application, and supervised services in our student salon.

Complete an Approved Barber Apprenticeship

Washington also allows aspiring barbers to complete 2,000 hours of training through a state-approved apprenticeship.

An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with additional instruction. It’s different from simply getting a job at a barbershop. To count toward licensure, the apprenticeship must be completed through a program approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.

Both pathways can help you qualify for licensure. The right choice depends on the learning environment, schedule, and level of support that work best for you.

Step 2: Complete Your Barber Training

Barber training helps you build the technical knowledge and practical skills you’ll need behind the chair. Washington’s barbering curriculum covers areas such as:

• Barbering theory
• Business practices
• Basic anatomy and physiology
• Shampooing and conditioning
• Scalp and hair analysis
• Haircutting with scissors, razors, thinning shears, and clippers
• Wet, dry, and thermal styling
• Shaving and facial hair design
• Safety and first aid
• Cleaning and disinfecting tools and workstations
• Diseases and disorders of the hair, scalp, and skin

At Elite Academy, students can also develop professional skills such as communication, interview preparation, resume development, and client care. After all, knowing how to connect with clients can be just as important as knowing how to deliver the cut they want.

Step 3: Gain Hands-On Barbering Experience

You can learn a lot about barbering in the classroom, but putting that knowledge into practice is what helps build confidence.

Hands-on training gives you opportunities to become more comfortable with your tools, follow proper sanitation procedures, communicate with clients, and work with different hair types and styles. It can also help you learn how to adjust when a service doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Students in Elite Academy’s barber program can practice services in a student salon under the direct supervision of licensed instructors. This allows you to apply what you’ve learned while receiving feedback and support.

Step 4: Take the Washington Barber Exams

Washington barber license applicants must pass a written examination and a practical examination. You may become eligible to take these exams when you are within 100 hours of completing your required training.

Written Barber Exam

The written exam covers the knowledge you’ll need to provide barbering services safely and professionally. Subjects may include sanitation, infection control, hair and scalp care, shaving, haircutting, and professional regulations.

Practical Barber Exam

The practical exam gives you an opportunity to demonstrate barbering procedures while following the required safety and sanitation practices. You’ll need to show that you can perform the assigned skills while staying organized and keeping your work area clean.

Preparing for licensing exams can feel intimidating, but you won’t have to figure everything out on your own. A barber school can help you understand the exam process, practice the skills you’ll be tested on, and know what to expect on exam day.

Step 5: Get Your Washington Barber License

Once you’ve completed your training and passed both exams, you can finish the licensing process through the Washington State Department of Licensing.

You’ll need to make sure the state has received your training and examination records, provide any required information, and pay the applicable licensing fee. Once your license is active, you can begin providing barbering services professionally in Washington.

It may sound like a lot of steps now, but each part of your training is designed to move you closer to being ready for professional work.

Start Your Barbering Journey at Elite Academy

Becoming a licensed barber in Washington starts with choosing the training path that fits your goals and learning style.

At Elite Cosmetology, Barber & Spa Academy, our program combines structured instruction with hands-on practice in a student salon. We offer flexible scheduling, distance learning options, instruction in both English and Spanish, and financial aid to those who qualify.

The best way to find out whether Elite Academy feels right for you is to see it for yourself. Contact us to schedule a tour, meet our team, and learn more about starting barber school in Yakima.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barber School

What’s the difference between barbering and cosmetology?

Barbering focuses primarily on haircuts, styling, shaving, and facial hair design, but excludes chemical hair services, such as coloring, bleaching and perming. Cosmetology covers a wider range of hair services, including all chemical services, and offers basic training in skin ad nail care. Elite Academy’s barber program requires 1,000 hours, while its cosmetology program requires 1,600 hours.

The right program depends on the services you’re most interested in learning and the type of work you may want to pursue.

Can I complete barber school online?

Barbering requires hands-on training, so the entire program cannot be completed online. Elite Academy allows barber students to complete up to 45% of their program hours through distance learning. The remaining training includes in-person instruction and practical experience.

Is Elite Academy’s barber program available in Spanish?

Yes. Elite Academy offers its barber program in both English and Spanish, giving students the opportunity to learn in the language that works best for them.

Is financial aid available for barber school?

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Elite Academy’s financial aid team can help you understand your options and the steps involved in applying.