Hairdressers must be licensed in many places before offering services. Licensing requires education or apprenticeship, and qualifications vary by jurisdiction and type of service. Some hairdressers also obtain professional certifications. Different licensing programs exist, such as cosmetologist, barber, or natural hair braider. Cosmetologists require at least nine months of full-time study and can perform various beauty services, while barbers are primarily trained in hair care. Hairdressers can also complete apprenticeships or participate in certification programs to improve their skills and marketability.
Hairdresser qualifications vary between jurisdictions and the types of hair services the hairdresser wants to offer. In many places, a person must be licensed by a government agency before they can professionally cut, color, or style their hair. This licensing process usually requires the aspiring hairstylist to complete an educational program, an apprenticeship, or a combination of the two. Other types of hairdressing qualifications include professional certifications in which a hairdresser demonstrates competence in certain areas of hair care, coloring or styling and receives recognition from a trade association or industry supplier.
In jurisdictions that license the practice of hairdressing, those wishing to practice the trade may choose between two or more licensing programs. For example, in the United States, someone who performs hair care services might hold a cosmetologist’s license, a barber’s license, or even a natural hair braiding license. Each of these hairdressing qualifications is distinct, with its own licensing criteria and scope of practice.
While the exact requirements and limitations of practice vary by the laws of the state in which a person chooses to work, in general cosmetologists must complete an educational program that requires at least nine months of full-time study. Cosmetologists are licensed to perform a wide variety of beauty services, including cutting, styling and chemical hair services, as well as non-hair related services such as manicures, facials and makeup. Barbers, on the other hand, typically have a shorter training course and are primarily trained to perform hair care services. Natural hair braiders may have the most limited scope of practice as they are primarily trained in the art of hair braiding and therefore are not normally licensed to cut or color hair.
In addition to hairdressing educational qualifications, some professionals may also complete an apprenticeship. In the UK, an apprenticeship is a common way to gain hairdressing qualifications leading to registration as a professional hairdresser. Some jurisdictions in the United States also offer the option to attend a cosmetology or barber course as an alternative path to licensure. Additionally, new stylists may have the option to participate in an apprenticeship after completing initial training, which can help them improve their skills and marketability.
Some professional hairdressing associations, as well as manufacturers of various types of hair care equipment and products, sponsor certification programs. These programs award credentials to hairstylists who have achieved specific skills or proficiency in using proprietary equipment and products. While these hairdressing qualifications typically do not affect a hairdresser’s licensing status, a hairdresser may include them on their resume or curriculum vitae as professional accomplishments.
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