Hair Technician vs Barbering: Which License is Right for You

Man gives child a clipper cut

With the addition of the new Hair Technician License in Minnesota, many industry hopefuls are trying to determine which license to pursue.  Barbering and Hair Technician licenses have many similarities and a few differences.

We’re going to break down the pros and cons of both licenses so you can determine which license is right for you.

Hours

The first thing to consider when deciding between licenses is the hours of education each requires.

Both programs require training and updated licensure to be able to practice legally in Minnesota.

The Hair Technician License in Minnesota requires 900 hours of education [1] which can take about 6-8 months to complete with a full time program.

The Barbering License in Minnesota requires 1500 hours of education [2] which can take about 9-10 months to complete with a full time program.

Education Hours Required for Licensure in Minnesota
Barbers- 1500 Hours
Hair Technicians- 900 Hours

Information provided by the Atelier Academy of Beauty

Content of Training

While the content of training programs for hair technicians and barbers are fairly similar, there are some key differences to consider.

Both licensing programs require education in scientific fundamentals such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, infectious disease awareness and prevention, and sanitation as it relates to hair, skin, and salon practices. [1] [3] 

Both programs also require education on practical skills such as haircutting, coloring, chemical services such as perms and relaxer, facial hair trimming, and styling. [1] [3] 

The main differences to consider come down to certain practical skills.

Barbering Education

Training for the Barber License includes facial and neck shaving, which the hair technician training does not.  Hair technicians can use razors, but they are not trained to shave the face and neck with a straight razor. [1]

Traditionally, barbering mainly pertained to men’s hair.  Nowadays, barbers serve a diverse clientele, including women.  Having said that, much of the training still focuses on shorter haircuts such as fades, tapers, clipper cut styles, and pixies. 

Barbers undergo extensive training in these shorter styles, as well as training in shaving and facial hair shaping. This specialized training is valuable for those who want to focus on these specific services.

Barber Training Contents in Minnesota
Hair Cutting- Haircutting, shaving, and trimming the beard

Coloring- Bleaching, tinting, and dyeing the hair

Chemical Services- The chemical waving and straightening of hair

Scientific Fundamentals- Practical study of the hair, skin, muscles, and nerves; elementary chemistry relating to sanitation; diseases of the skin, hair, and glands

Information provided by the Atelier Academy of Beauty

Hair Technician Education

Training for hair technicians typically covers a wide range in hair length. Hair technicians also dive deeper into color techniques and chemical processing.

Hair technicians learn similar haircuts, beard trims, and styles as barbers with the addition of specialty styles such as blowouts, hot tool sets, and updos; advanced color techniques such as balayage; and haircuts, perms, and relaxers for longer hair lengths. [1]

This broad range of training is valuable for those who want to work with many different hair lengths and offer advanced color and chemical services.

Hair Technician Training Contents
In Minnesota

Hair Cutting & Styling- Hair and scalp analysis, cleaning and conditioning, hair design and shaping, drying, arranging, curling, dressing, waving, and nonchemical straightening

Coloring- Dying, bleaching, hair coloring, color formulation, and the use of dye removers

Chemical services- Permanent straightening, permanent waving, predisposition and strand tests, reactive chemicals, keratin, and chemical mixing

Theories in Science- Chemistry, electricity, and light related to the practice of hair technology

Anatomy- Muscle and bone structure and function; properties of the hair and scalp; disorders and diseases of the hair and scalp

Health and safety- Chemical safety, infection control, cleaning and disinfection hazardous substances, public safety

Information provided by the Atelier Academy of Beauty

Licensure Testing

Once a student has completed their program, they must take the respective exams for their particular license. Licensure testing between hair technicians and barbers is only slightly different in regards to procedure.

Barber Exams

Barber exams are scheduled 4 times per year, but the board may add up to 2 additional test times if they see fit.  [4] [5]  

The Barber Exam is made up of several parts- 1 written test and 4 practical services that must be performed. [6]

Before testing, barbering students are required to take a “Home Study Course” which prepares them for the exam. [7]

If a student fails their first exam, they will have 1 more chance to take it. [2]  There is a small fee for every retake. [13] If they fail the second try, they will be required to take an additional 500 hours of education. Additional tuition costs will incur depending on the barbering school. After taking this additional 500 hours, students can take the exam as many times as they need to until they pass. [2]

A student has up to 4 years after completing school to pass the exams and get licensed.  If they do not get licensed within 4 years, they will have to take an additional 500 hours of education. [4]

Barber License Exam Procedure
In Minnesota

A flow chart detailing the barber license exam procedure in Minnesota

1.Apply for Exam
2.Take "Home Study Course for Barbers"
3. Take Exam- 1 Written Exam & 4 Practical Services
4. If passed, apply for Barber License. If failed, move on to Step 5.
5. Retake the exam
6. If passed, apply for Barber License. If failed, move on to Step 7.
7. Take additional 500 hours of education
8. Retake exam until passed
9. Apply for Barber License

Information provided by the Atelier Academy of Beauty

Hair Technician Exam

Hair technician exams can be scheduled nearly any day of the week depending on your closest testing center. [8]

The Hair Technician Exam is also made up of several parts- 1 practical exam and 3 written exams. The practical exam tests students on their physical skills such as cutting, coloring, and styling.  The written exams test on general theory, Minnesota Laws & Rules, and a scenario test (also called the Written Practical). [1]

If a student fails any part of the test, they may retake it as many times as they need to in order to pass.  Students must pay another exam fee for each test they retake. [14]

A student has up to 5 years after completing school to pass the exams and get licensed.  If they do not get licensed within 5 years, they will have to take an additional skills course. [9]

Hair Technician License Exam Procedure
in Minnesota

A flowchart laying out the Hair Technician licenses exam procedure in Minnesota

1. Apply for Exams
2. Take Written Exam (general theory exam, state exam, and written practical exam) and Take Practical Exam.
3. If passed, apply for Hair Technician License. If failed, move on to step 4.
4. Retake failed exams until passed.
5. Apply for Hair Technician License

Information provided by the Atelier Academy of Beauty

License Renewal

Like most licensed professionals, both barbers and hair technicians must renew their licenses periodically.

Barbers must renew their license every year by December 31st and pay the required fee. [10]

Hair technicians must renew their license every 3 years by the last day of their birth month and pay the required fee. [11] Hair technicians must also complete 8 hours of continuing education before license renewals. [12] More information on continuing education hours for hair technicians can be found here.

License Renewal Requirements in Minnesota

Barber
How Often?
Every year by December 31st

What's Required?
Payment of Renewal Fee

Hair Technician
How Often?
Every 3 years by last day of licensee's birth month

What's Required?
8 Hours Continuing Education & payment of renewal fee

Information provided by the Atelier Academy of Beauty

Final Considerations

The MN Barbering License and MN Hair Technician License have many similarities and several differences.  The deciding factors for determining which license is right for you include:

  • Whether you want to specialize in certain hair lengths or have a broader knowledge
  • How deep you want to explore color and chemical services
  • How much time you want to invest in your education
  • Your testing preferences
  • Knowledge of license renewal requirements

No matter which license you choose to pursue, the world of hair is full of endless possibilities.  An exciting, fulfilling, lifelong career is just around the corner!

Sources

  1. 2023 Minnesota Statutes, Ch 155A.2705 Cosmetology (2023).
  2. 2023 Minnesota Statutes, Ch 154.05 Barbers (2016).
  3. 2023 Minnesota Statutes, Ch 154.07 Barbers (2016).
  4. 2023 Minnesota Statutes, Ch 154.09 Barbers (2016).
  5. Minnesota Administrative Rules, Ch 2100.2500 (2017).
  6. Minnesota Administrative Rules, Ch 2100.2900 (2017).
  7. Minnesota Administrative Rules, Ch 2100.2600 (2017).
  8. PSI Online – One stop Solution for Test Takers
  9. Minnesota Administrative Rules, Ch 2100.0690 (2016).
  10. 2023 Minnesota Statutes, Ch 154.15 Barbers (2016).
  11. 2023 Minnesota Statutes, Ch 155A.25.4 Cosmetology (2014).
  12. 2023 Minnesota Statutes, Ch 155A.271.1 Cosmetology (2023).
  13. 2023 Minnesota Statutes, Ch 154.003 Barbers (2013).
  14. PSI Testing, Minnesota Board of Cosmetology Candidate Information Bulletin (2024).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Scroll to Top