How to become a barber

If you've ever thought about a career as a barber, but you're still trying to figure out how to get there, then this blog is for you. Barber shops are the fastest-growing type of retail business in the UK, thanks to the rising focus on male grooming, which has led to a 77% increase in men's spending on beauty products year-on-year in 2024.

With the industry booming, it's an ideal time to start training for a career as a barber. Here's a complete guide to everything you need to know about how to become a barber.

How to become a barber in the UK

Becoming a barber involves completing specific education, undergoing training, and gaining practical experience. You must be at least 16 years old to begin training as a barber in the UK. Here are the steps you can take:

1. Start by researching the specific requirements for becoming a licenced barber in your area. Barbering licensing requirements vary, so it's important to understand the regulations.
2. No specific educational qualifications are required to become a barber in the UK. However, having a good understanding of basic maths and English is beneficial for communication with clients. Look for a reputable barbering course or program offered by a vocational college or private training provider. Ensure that the course is accredited and recognised by industry bodies such as City & Guilds or VTCT.
3. Enrol in a barbering training program that covers the essential skills and knowledge needed to become a barber. These programs typically include both theory and practical training in haircutting, styling, shaving, sanitation, and customer service. Many barbers in the UK choose to obtain a Level 2 or Level 3 barbering qualification, such as a Level 2 or Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering. These qualifications are recognised by employers and clients.
4. During your training, you'll gain practical experience by working on mannequins, fellow students, or real clients under the supervision of experienced instructors. Practical experience is crucial for developing your skills.
5. Complete training and assessments associated with your course to ensure the time and effort you've invested is worthwhile.

Do you need a licence to be a barber in the UK?

Depending on the region of the UK where you plan to work, you may need to pass a practical licensing exam or assessment conducted by the local council or other relevant body.

After completing your training, assessments, and any other required licensing exams, you may then need to register with your local council as a business if you're operating independently or planning to open a barbershop. Be prepared to submit the necessary documentation, including proof of training and assessment results.

Once you obtain your barber licence, you can start working as a qualified barber. You can work in an existing barbershop, become self-employed, or even open your own shop or salon.

Consider continuing education to stay updated on industry trends, techniques, and regulations, as well as attending workshops and seminars to expand your skills and knowledge. Joining professional barbering associations in the UK (such as the British Barbers’ Association or National Hair and Beauty Federation) can also provide networking opportunities and access to resources to help you grow in your career.

What does a barber do?

Barbers are trained professionals who specialise in grooming and maintaining hair, facial hair, and overall personal appearance for men. Their services typically include a range of haircut and grooming services, and they often work in barbershops or salons. Here are some of the primary tasks and services that barbers perform:

• Haircuts: Offering a variety of haircut styles to their clients, ranging from traditional shortcuts to modern and trendy styles like a mullet or skin fade. They use scissors, clippers, trimmers, and razors to cut and shape hair according to the client's preferences.
• Beard trimming and shaping: Skilled in trimming, shaping and maintaining facial hair, including beards, moustaches and sideburns. They use razors and clippers to create clean lines and desired styles.
• Shaving: Some barbers offer traditional straight razor shaves. This service often includes hot towel treatments and can provide a close and smooth shave.
• Hair design and styling: This involves creating intricate patterns or designs in the hair using clippers or razors.
• Scalp and hair treatments: These treatments may include the application of hair oils, conditioners, or other hair care products to promote hair health.
• Hair colouring: Barbers can apply hair colour or highlights to achieve desired looks, including covering grey hair or creating bold colour choices. Make sure you also learn how to do a patch test to avoid any mishaps.
• Wig fitting and styling: Fitting hair pieces, extensions, and styling wigs to be worn for everyday and special occasions.
• Facial grooming: In addition to beard trimming, barbers may provide facial grooming services such as eyebrow shaping, nose hair trimming, and ear hair removal.
• Consultations: Barbers often consult with clients to understand their preferences, recommend suitable hairstyles, and provide advice on hair and grooming maintenance.

As a barber, you'll also be responsible for customer service, client engagement, maintaining a clean salon, managing your diary, and providing product recommendations. You'll also be expected to be aware of ongoing industry trends.

Advantages of being a barber

Being a barber can be a rewarding career with many benefits.

1. You can be creative: Barbers can express their creativity through hairstyling and grooming while creating unique and personalised looks for their clients. This can be highly satisfying for those with artistic inclinations.
2. They’re in demand: The demand for barbers remains relatively stable, as people will always need haircuts and grooming services. Even during economic downturns, the need for personal grooming continues.
3. You can have flexible hours: Barbers often have flexible work hours, allowing them to balance work with their personal lives. Many barbers can set their own schedules, especially if they own their barbershops.
4. It’s a very social and rewarding job: Building long-term relationships with clients is a significant advantage of being a barber. Barbers can have a strong, positive impact on their clients' self-esteem and confidence, which can be deeply rewarding. Becoming a skilled barber often involves personal growth and self-improvement, and you need to develop patience, communication skills, and the ability to adapt to diverse client needs.
5. There’s opportunity for progression: Barbers can advance their careers further by expanding their skills, gaining experience, and becoming salon or barbershop managers or owners. Becoming a barber typically requires a shorter and less costly education and training period compared to some other professions, making it more accessible to those interested in the field.

Disadvantages of being a barber

As rewarding a career it can be, barbering also comes with its own set of challenges.

1. Barbering is physically demanding work: You'll be on your feet for long hours, leading to fatigue and discomfort. You'll also use your hands extensively, which can be taxing on your wrists and fingers.
2. Many barbers work evenings, weekends, and holidays: This can lead to an irregular work schedule and may impact work-life balance. Income in the barbering profession can be inconsistent, too, especially when starting out. Earnings may depend on the number of clients you have and their tipping habits. Slow periods can also impact your income.
3. The barbering industry can be highly competitive: Building a loyal clientele and standing out from competitors can be difficult, especially in densely populated areas.
4. You’ll have to deal with client no-shows: Clients may occasionally fail to show up for appointments or cancel at the last minute, resulting in lost income and wasted time. On the other hand, barbers may also encounter difficult or overly demanding clients, which can be stressful.

How you weigh up the pros and cons of becoming a barber is entirely up to you and will be different for every person. However, if you have the right skills and determination, you may find that it can be a highly lucrative career.

How can I become a barber: FAQs

How long does it take to become a barber?

It's possible to complete a barber course in as little as 12-18 months to become a qualified barber. However, if you decide to do an apprenticeship, this can take anywhere from 1-3 years. Training courses should also teach more than the practical skills of barbering and include information on hygiene and customer service skills, too.

What qualifications do you need to be a barber?

There's no set qualification that you must have to work as a barber in the UK, although it may help your hiring prospects if you can show that you've completed a training course that has supplied you with the necessary experience.

Most people wanting to become a barber in the UK will choose to complete the NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Barbering. Some will then continue onto a Level 3 Diploma if they want to learn more advanced techniques and gain even more experience.

What happens if I don’t have barber insurance?

Multiple risks come with working as a barber, such as:

• Your client could have an allergic reaction to a product you’ve used and decide to make a claim against you
• You could damage a client's property or clothing with your products, and they could decide to make a claim for the costs
• Your equipment could be lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged

If you don't have specialist barber insurance in place, you may have to cover the costs associated with the above scenarios yourself should they occur. However, if you choose to take out an insurance policy through Ripe, you may be able to get some, or all, of the costs covered following a successful claim.

Specialist barber insurance through Ripe

Now that you know how to become a barber, you may want to consider getting specialist barber insurance once you qualify to protect your business.

Specialist barber insurance through Ripe includes up to £10m Public and Products Liability cover and up to £5m Treatment Risk cover as standard. You can also add cover for your equipment up to the value of £250k, so you don’t have to pay to replace it yourself if it’s damaged or stolen.

Learn more about specialist barber insurance through Ripe or get an online quote today.