How to Become a Barber in Texas: A Comprehensive Roadmap
You can become a licensed barber in Texas in as little as seven months. No massive student loans. No four-year commitment. Just hands-on training that leads directly to a lucrative, flexible career.
At Brighton Barber Institute (BBI), we’ve helped hundreds of students start their Texas barbering careers. Our 100% licensure rate speaks for itself. But before you grab your clippers, let’s break down the process of becoming a licensed Texas barber, step by step.
How to Become a Barber in Texas: Starting Your Journey
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees all barbering licenses in our state. They’ve set clear requirements every aspiring barber must meet:
Basic Texas Barbering Requirements
To earn your barbering license in Texas, you need to:
- Be at least 17 years old (though you can start school at 16)
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete a barber program at a TDLR-approved school (BBI’s program takes as little as seven months)
- Pass both written and practical state exams (which 100% of our students do)
No prior experience? No problem. Our program starts with the fundamentals and builds your skills from there.
Your Texas Class A Barber License
Texas has one barbering license: Class A Barber. With this license, you can perform all barbering services, including cuts, shaves, and chemical work.
You can pursue this license at Brighton Barber Institute through one of our two programs:
Class A Barber Program: Our complete training program for those new to barbering.
Operator to Class A Barber Program: For licensed cosmetologists who want to learn barbering skills without repeating training they’ve already completed. It’s perfect for expanding your services and income.
Your Texas Barbering Education: More Than Just Cutting Hair
While completing a TDLR-approved barber program, you won’t just learn how to cut hair.
Your education at an accredited Texas barber school like Brighton Barber Institute covers both the technical skills and business knowledge you need to succeed in the real world.
How long does it take to become a barber in Texas? With our full-time program (35 hours per week), you’ll complete your training in seven to nine months. Part-time students (17.5 hours per week) typically finish in 12–14 months.
What You’ll Learn at a Texas Barber School
Technical Skills:
- Precision fades and tapers
- Straight razor shaving
- Chemical services (coloring, perms, relaxers)
- Beard and mustache design
- Classic and modern cutting techniques
Theory and Business:
- Texas barbering laws and safety regulations
- Anatomy and chemistry (don’t worry, we make it simple)
- Client consultation and communication
- Business management and marketing
- How to build your clientele and maximize earnings
Flexible Learning Options
Life doesn’t stop while you’re in school. That’s why BBI offers:
- Full-time: 35 hours per week (graduate in seven to nine months)
- Part-time: 17.5 hours per week (perfect if you’re working while learning)
Unlike old-school programs that just “clock students through,” we provide structured education with clear milestones. You’ll know exactly where you stand and what’s coming next.
The Exam Process: We’ll Get You Ready
After completing your training, you’ll take two exams — one written, one hands-on. Don’t stress about it. We built our program to prepare you for these tests, and 100% of our students pass them.
Written Exam
You’ll answer questions about barbering laws, safety, and techniques. It’s all information we cover thoroughly in class.
Practical Exam
This is where you show what you can do, including cutting hair, shaving, and demonstrating proper sanitation, just like you’ve been practicing all along.
As an added convenience, BBI will prepare you with the PSI test kit you’ll use during your licensing exam. This way, you’ll enter the test confident that your equipment and test materials are compliant and professional.
Getting Your Texas Barbering License: The Final Steps
Once you pass both exams, getting your barbering license is simple: apply online, pay a small fee, and submit your paperwork. We guide you through every step, no guesswork involved.
Your license needs renewal every two years, but that’s way down the road. For now, just focus on getting started.
Your Texas Barbering Career Awaits: Real Opportunities, Real Money
Texas is home to a booming barbering industry, and skilled professionals are in high demand.
Immediate Barbering Career Options
- Barbershop Stylist: $30,000–$45,000 starting (plus tips that can multiply your income)
- Men’s Grooming Specialist: High-end salons pay $40,000–$55,000 to start
- Booth Rental: Be your own boss from day one
Long-Term Potential
- Barbershop Owner: Build your clientele, save your money, and eventually open your own shop
- Celebrity Barber: Work with athletes, musicians, and influencers
- Education: Teach the next generation (and earn while you do it)
- Product Sales: Partner with major grooming brands as a representative
Our 95% job placement rate isn’t just a number. It’s a promise backed by real connections. We’ve built relationships with barbershops and salons throughout DFW, from upscale spots like District Barbershop and Boardroom Salon to neighborhood shops that value skilled professionals.
These employers know BBI’s graduates are prepared, which is why they come to our job fairs looking for their next hire.
Ready to Start Your Texas Barbering Career?
In as little as seven months from now, you could be a licensed barber building your clientele, making your own schedule, and living life on your terms.
We make it possible with federal financial aid, flexible schedules that work around your current job, and instructors who actually care about your success. Our 100% licensure rate shows we know what we’re doing.
You’ve learned how to become a barber in Texas. Now it’s time to take the first step.
Contact Brighton Barber Institute at (817) 785-7051 or visit us at 133 W. Harwood Rd., Hurst, TX 76054. Your future is Bright!