Information you should know before you apply to a barber school.
Check out the places that can teach you barbering skills further down the page.
Ontario is unusual in its approach to barber licensing. Barbers do not have a licensing and education process of their own, but are considered to be “hairstylists” by trade. However the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) is currently seeking input from industry and the public to see if recognizing barbers as a trade separate from hairstylists is appropriate.
Currently, officially speaking, in order for a barber to do his or her work he or she is required to complete hairstylists training as per guidelines set out here.
To receive a hairstylists training in Ontario the aspiring student must first become a member of the Ontario College of Trades and start an apprenticeship. Once the apprenticeship is complete, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) will give the apprentice a Certificate of Apprenticeship. Then, after passing the exam for the hairdressing trade one can apply for journeyman certification.
The usual guidelines for become competent as a hairstylist (and, hence, barber) are that the apprentice must train on the job for 3,020 hours and in school for 480 hours.
As of now, February 2021, all barbers are still require to undergo hairstylist training. Looks like Ontario still hasn’t recognized barbers as being distinct from hairstylists. However a couple of dedicated barber schools have popped up recently. Unfortunately the pandemic has made things difficult. With any luck they will soon reopen and be training new barbers.
The on-the-job part of the training comes with specific skills that the experienced and accredited trainer teaches. The in-school portion of training covers topics such as:
- safety and sanitation
- proper treatment of the hair and scalp
- hair cutting and styling
- use of chemicals on the hair
- hair colouring and value changes
There are rumblings in the industry that things are changing and soon barbers will have their own trade designation. Stay tuned! Also take a look at this news article on the issue – CBC.
Ontario Schools
Art & Technique Academy of Hairstyling and Esthetics – Oshawa
Universal Hair & Aesthetics Academy – Brampton
Salon + Spa Career College – Toronto
Interesting pdf about barber certification in Ontario.
More interested in other types of beauty schools? Check out our pages that list Ontario schools for nail technicians, estheticians, cosmetologists and makeup artists.
Marca College of Hair and Esthetics – Danforth
The Barber Center – Hamilton
Did we miss any schools that can teach a barber’s skills in Ontario? Please contact us to let us know…