How to Go from Barber to Cosmetologist: Expanding Your Skillset

As a licensed barber in California, you can thrive in a career that allows you to follow your passion for haircutting and styling to help clients look their best. However, you may wonder if you’re limiting your potential to serve all clients in your area. Expanding your skillset to include cosmetology can allow you to reach a broader client base and offer different services. Barbering and cosmetology overlap, allowing barbers to become licensed cosmetologists with fewer learning hours and requirements. If you’re seeking a way to tap into your creativity and expand your customer base, dual licensing through a barber to cosmetology program can be the perfect opportunity. 

Why Expand Your Skillset to Include Cosmetology?

Licensed barbers already know the benefits of a career that helps customers look and feel their best. Your combination of creativity and learned skills can help you excel in your chosen profession. For many, cosmetology offers a natural extension of the benefits of a barbering career. The new techniques you learn can allow you to expand your creativity and use your skills to serve more people. 

Adding a cosmetology license to your certifications can provide these career-boosting benefits.

• Offer a wider variety of services: While barbers focus specifically on haircutting and beard techniques, cosmetologists offer a range of additional services, including hair coloring, chemical straighteners, perms, makeup application, skincare, and manicures.
• Reach a broader market: Licensed barbers reach a specific clientele set (often men). Adding cosmetology can help you bring new clients into your shop and expand your loyal customer base.
• Expand your creativity: As a barber, you use your creativity daily. Cosmetology can force you to think differently and expand your artistry into different areas. 
• Challenge yourself: Seeking new challenges can add fresh interest to your career and help you reignite your passion for haircare as a rewarding art form.
• Take your career in a different direction: A cosmetology license can give you the freedom to use dual practices in a salon or open your own shop that serves a range of customers. 

The ways you can expand your career with the addition of a cosmetology license are practically unlimited. Whether you’re looking for an immediate change or a way to provide long-term career goals, dual licensing provides a range of options for hair and beauty professionals to choose from. 

What You’ll Learn in a Barber to Cosmetologist Crossover Program

While barbers serve both men and women, the skillset is focused directly on hair. Cosmetologists provide haircutting and styling services, along with other offerings that help clients love their appearance.

A barber to cosmetology program expands upon your barbering knowledge with training that includes:

• Women’s cuts
• Hair design
• Hair color
• Waxing
• Makeup
• Chemical hair treatments
• and more!

How to Go from Barber to Cosmetologist

A barber to cosmetology program can be the best way to expand your education into the world of cosmetology. These programs are designed to build on your barbering education with targeted courses to add new skills to your repertoire. Take these steps to find a high-quality course and add a cosmetology license to your professional certifications.

Research Reputable Beauty Schools

When seeking a cosmetology school to meet your needs, looking for specific qualities that align with your professional and personal requirements is crucial. Create a list of schools certified by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology that are near your location. Reasearch each of your target schools carefully to determine which ones offer your desired course and factors that align with your lifestyle. 

Factors to consider may include:

• Crossover programs offered by the school
• Avaialble financial aid options
• Flexible schedules that allow you to continue your existing career while attending classes
• Opportunities to tour the school to determine if the school offers the right environment for you

Complete Your Crossover Program

After you choose the best school to meet your needs, it’s time to enroll in a crossover course. You may be able to fill out an application and determine your class schedule through an online portal. Once classes start, commit yourself to the program requirements and take time to study. If you encounter any roadblocks with the curriculum or your schedule, reach out to your instructor or school administrators for help. Complete the required training hours with a schedule that best fits your lifestyle. Some students may spend many hours in class to finish the program quickly while others take a slower pace that allows them to maintain other responsibilities. 

Sit for Your Licensing Exam

Once you’ve met class hour requirements, you’ll be eligible to sit for your state licensing exam. You can schedule your exam online or by mail. The Cosmetologist Theory Exam consists of 110 questions and requires a 75% score to pass. The exam can take up to two hours. Before exam day, it’s vital to prepare by taking advantage of available resources like study guides and ensuring you understand all requirements. If you pass the exam, you’ll get your license the same day.

Expand Your Career

Once you receive your cosmetology license, you’re ready to put your new skills into action. You may choose to look for a new location or advertise your new services at your current shop. To attract new clients and offer additional services to your loyal customers, consider advertising on social media, at your shop, and through word of mouth. Encourage loyal clients to share the information with friends and family to quickly expand your customer base. 

Why Choose American Beauty College?

Expanding your barbering services to include cosmetology can bean exciting step in your beauty career. For the best learning experience, you need a qualified school with flexible scheduling opportunities and engaging informative courses. American Beauty College is a California Board certified beauty school providing a range of opportunities for applicants to expand their beauty knowledge. Financial aid is available to those who qualify and flexible scheduling is available to align with your busy lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more about our Barber to Cosmetology program.