Washington has many (though not as many as TX or CA) good barber schools to choose from in many cities. Here we’ll go over the process that you need to follow in order to get licensed and get working as a professional either in your own barber shop or in an already established business.
In the past you could just decide to be a barber and set up shop without any credentials. Now you have to show your competency every step of the way, which in the end is good for both the consumer and the barber profession itself.
How Long Does Barbering School Take in Washington?
The simple answer is 1,000 hours. That is also broken down into knowledge and theory, and practical/experiential application of that knowledge. The emphasis is mostly on putting what you know into practice.
You’ll learn things like shampooing, styling, shaving, cutting hair and so on. You’ll also learn business practices, safety and sanitation and relating professionally with customers. Some schools may offer night classes or part-time programs. See what’s available in your area by entering your zip below:
Instead of school you also have the option of learning through apprenticeship. In that case your mentor – who must work in a licensed shop – must show that you’ve completed at least 1,200 hours of classes. One big advantage of this track is that you avoid the tuition cost charged by schools. Check the state board for more info.
Examples Of Washington Barber Schools With Tuition Costs
| Name | Address | Cost | Other Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Technical College | 1101 South Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, 98405 | $4,677 | many |
| The Hair School | 2941 East Highway 101, Port Angeles, 98362 | Unknown | Cosmetology, Manicuring, Esthetics |
| Lucas Marc Academy | 71 Gage Boulevard Richland, 99352 | $7,686.00 | Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring |
| Olympia Barber School | 2747 Pacific Avenue Southeast A-2, Olympia, 98501 | Tuition:$12,500 Registration Fee:$200 Book:$250 Kit:$500 Total:$13,450 | Cosmetology |
| Paroba College | 9930 Evergreen Way, Building Y, Everett, 98204 | Unknown | Cosmetology, Esthetics |
| Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology | 23 West First Avenue, Kennewick, 99336 | Tuition:$10,005.00 Kit:$2,899.03 Total:$12,904.03 | Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Training |
Char-Glo School of Beauty – 1418 South Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837
BJ’s Beauty & Barber College – 12020 Meridian East Suite G, Puyallup, WA 98373
Evergreen Beauty College – 18336 Aurora Avenue N #103, Shoreline, WA 98133
Evergreen Beauty College – 1222 Bronson Way North, Renton, WA 98057
Evergreen Beauty College – 802 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98208
Lincoln Beauty School – 702 South 38th St A, Tacoma, WA 98418
Exams
Once your education and training have been completed you need to take the exams.
But even before taking exams you must apply for them!
Application involves fees and filling out a form as well as showing that you are finished or almost finished your Washington barber program.
For the theoretical exam you are allowed 1.5 hours and it will cover topics you should’ve covered at school or in your apprenticeship, so if you’ve applied yourself during your training you should do well.
The practical exam requires you to bring supplies and a mannequin head. The various aspects of it are timed.
Passing grade for both exams is 75%.
Licensing
Once you have passed you’ll still need to apply for your license (more red tape! it’s almost over now!) and pay a fee. After that you will be qualified to begin your Washington barber career in earnest.
You’ll also need to pay a fee (yes, every time they can they charge you $$) when license renewal time comes around, but as it stands now you are not required to complete any refresher courses before renewing.
Barber Work in Washington
More men are paying attention to grooming these days. This has increased the demand for barbers. WA is no exception, so you should have little trouble finding a job. IF you need to get an idea of employment possibilities try worksource.
Take a look at our tools page to see what kind of stuff you’ll need to be a barber student.
Other WA schools for cosmetologists, estheticians, nail techs and makeup artists.
Some School Websites
bjsbeautyandbarbercollege.com
academyofcosmetologyonline.com
elitecbsacademy.com
lucasmarcacademy.com
olympiabarberschool.com
char-gloschoolofbeauty.com
paroba.edu
beautyteacher.net (catalog)
victoriasacademy.com
Did we miss any WA barber academies? Please contact us to let us know.