Barbering

 

This is a new course offering. Information is still being finalized.

• Locations: Emerson HS in Kirkland
• 3 High School Credits: CTE (3.0)
• No Tuition fees
• Program fees may apply Financial assistance may be available for qualifying students.
• Prerequisites: Priority is given to juniors because this is a two-year licensing pathway. Students must be at least 16 years old when the program begins and should have strong attendance, reading proficiency at approximately the ninth-grade level, good hand-eye coordination, and a genuine interest in barbering. Students must follow all safety, sanitation, uniform, and professional-conduct, workplace expectations requirements.

This is a full year 3-period Skill Center class (3 high school credits).

Turn creativity, precision, and personal style into a career. The WANIC Barbering Program gives students the opportunity to train in a professional, salon-style environment while learning the technical and business skills needed to succeed in today’s barbering industry. Whether you want to work in an established barbershop, build your own clientele, become a shop owner, or create your own grooming brand, this program can help you begin that journey while still in high school.

Barbering is both an art and a profession. Students learn how to use clippers, shears, razors, trimmers, and other professional tools to create fades, tapers, lineups, blended cuts, textured-hair styles, beard designs, and facial-hair services. Instruction also includes shampooing, scalp and hair care, styling, razor shaving, client consultation, and selecting techniques that complement different hair types, facial features, and personal styles.

Students begin by developing skills on mannequins and through structured laboratory activities. As their technical ability, safety, and confidence grow, they progress toward providing services in a supervised barbershop environment. Students learn how to welcome clients, conduct consultations, recommend services, manage appointments, maintain professional workstations, and create the positive customer experience that builds client loyalty.

Safety and sanitation are essential parts of professional barbering. Students study anatomy and physiology of the hair, scalp, skin, and face, along with bacteriology, infection control, disinfection, workplace safety, and Washington barbering laws. They learn to recognize conditions that may affect a service and to follow precise procedures that protect both the client and the barber.

The program also prepares students for the business side of the industry. Students explore scheduling, customer service, retail sales, marketing, social media, personal branding, budgeting, recordkeeping, shop management, booth or chair rental, and entrepreneurship. Leadership, teamwork, communication, punctuality, and workplace professionalism are practiced throughout the program.

This is a two-year pathway with limited enrollment and priority given to juniors. During the first year, students build strong foundations in barbering theory, sanitation, professional tools, haircutting, shaving, hair and scalp care, and client service. The second year provides more advanced technical training, increased experience serving clients, barbershop operations, career preparation, and additional opportunities to earn the training hours required for licensure.

The program is designed to help students work toward the 1,000 school-based training hours required for Washington State barber licensure. Students who complete the required hours may be eligible to take the state-approved written and practical examinations and apply for a Washington State Barber License after meeting all Department of Licensing requirements. Because every training hour matters, excellent attendance and punctuality are essential throughout both years.

Graduates may pursue careers as licensed barbers, barber stylists, commission barbers, independent booth or chair renters, mobile barbers, barbershop managers, shop owners, product representatives, educators, and grooming-industry entrepreneurs. Students may also continue their education in cosmetology, hair design, business, marketing, or related personal-service fields.

This program is ideal for students who enjoy working with people, creating with their hands, expressing personal style, and seeing the immediate results of their work. Successful students are dependable, coachable, detail-oriented, willing to practice, comfortable communicating with clients, and committed to maintaining high standards of safety and professionalism. If you are ready to build technical skill, confidence, and a career one haircut at a time, Barbering may be the program for you.

Prerequisites and Program Requirements

• Priority enrollment is given to juniors because Barbering is designed as a two-year licensing pathway. Seniors may be considered if space is available.
• Students must be at least 16 years old by the first day of the program to begin earning state-recognized training hours.
• Reading proficiency at approximately the ninth-grade level is recommended for technical instruction, safety procedures, and licensing preparation.
• Students must have a strong interest in barbering and be willing to practice techniques repeatedly to develop accuracy and confidence.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality are required. Washington licensure is based on completion of required training hours, and missed time will prevent a student from completing the program.
• Students must follow sanitation, safety, dress, uniform, and professional-conduct requirements.
• Students must be comfortable working closely with others, touching clients’ hair and scalp, and providing services to people from diverse backgrounds.
• Barbering requires extended periods of standing, hand dexterity, close visual attention, and repetitive tool use. Appropriate accommodations will be provided in accordance with student learning and accessibility plans.
• Students must complete all enrollment and licensing-hour documentation.
• Students may be responsible for acquiring designated uniforms, tools, supplies, mannequins, and licensing or examination fees. Financial assistance is available when cost creates a barrier.

Recommended Preparation

Pass Health with B or better.  Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Art, Business, Marketing, and Speech or Communication can be helpful but not required.

Second-Year Program Requirements

• Enrollment in Barbering II is limited and not automatic. Students must:
• Successfully complete Barbering I with a grade of B or better.
• Complete required first-year competencies and maintain satisfactory attendance and progress toward state training hours.
• Demonstrate excellent punctuality, sanitation, safety, and professional conduct.
• Show readiness to perform supervised services for clients.
• Maintain and safely use the required professional tools, equipment, uniform, and supplies.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, accept coaching, communicate professionally, and provide respectful service to all clients.
• Receive approval through an objective program-readiness review based on competencies, attendance, safety, professionalism, and progress toward licensure.

A Foundation for Additional Beauty-Industry Careers

Barbering can be the first step toward a wider range of licensed beauty and personal-service careers. The program’s training in sanitation, anatomy and physiology, client consultation, hair and scalp care, professional tools, customer service, and business operations provides a strong foundation for continued education in cosmetology, hair design, esthetics, manicuring, makeup artistry, or barbering instruction.

Students who continue their education may pursue additional credentials such as a Washington Cosmetologist, Hair Designer, Esthetician, Manicurist, Master Esthetician, or Barbering Instructor license. Each profession has separate training, examination, and licensing requirements, but the technical knowledge, professional habits, and client-service experience developed in WANIC Barbering can help prepare students to enter advanced programs and set themselves up for success.

Median Yearly Salary

Barber: $79,720

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue Metro Area

Median hourly wage: $38.33

Industry Credentials Available

• Program Competency Certificate
• First Aid CPR
• Preparation for the Washington State written and practical barber examinations
• Washington State Barber License upon completion of 2^nd year required training hours (all absences must be made up), successful examination results, and all state application requirements