Based on lifestyle and economic factors, Moneyrates.com named North Dakota the number 1 place for young people to live in 2012. With large amounts of labor and housing available, people from all over the country are streaming into North Dakota, and to Minot, Fargo, and Bismarck specifically. The influx in jobs and population in this area indicates that there is great opportunity for barbers, and the North Dakota Workforce Intelligence Network estimates that the number of barber jobs is expected to grow by 13% between the years 2012 and 2022.
For a quick guide on how to become a licensed barber in North Dakota, follow these simple steps:
You have the opportunity to blaze the trail as a barber in North Dakota, where you will have the freedom to open your own barbershop and invoke the presence of classic masculinity through providing quality hair and beard design.
Before you can begin your career as a barber in North Dakota, you will first need to be licensed by the North Dakota Barbers Association. This Association licenses all barber apprentices, master barbers, barber schools, and barbershops throughout the state. As a barber, you will specialize in the cutting, styling, and design of hair and beards.
Step 1. Complete 1550 Hours of Training from a North Dakota Barber School
The first step toward attaining a North Dakota barber license is attending and graduating from barber school. Barber school will provide the practical and theoretical training necessary to become successful as a barber.
The North Dakota Association requires that you obtain at least 1550 hours of training. As part of the requisite training hours, your program must include the following barbering subjects:
- Scientific Fundamentals of Barbering
- Hygiene
- Bacteriology
- Histology of the Hair, Skin, Muscles, and Nerves
- Structure of the Head, Face, and Neck
- Elementary Chemistry
- Diseases of the Skin, Glands, and nails
- Massaging and Manipulating the Muscles
- Hair Cutting
- Shaving
- Arranging, Dressing, Coloring, and Tinting Hair
Step 2. Pass the Apprentice Examination and Work as an Apprentice
If you are at least 17 years of age and you have graduated from a barbering school approved by the Association, you may submit an application to take the apprentice examination. To take the examination, you will need to submit the following materials and information to the Association:
- Submit Proof of Barber School Training
- Submit Signed Photograph
- Submit High School Diploma
- Submit $50 Apprentice Exam Fee
Once the North Dakota Association approves your application, you will be able to take the apprentice licensing exams.
Examination Content
The exams will be held by the Association no less than 4 times each year, and they will include both a written and practical portion. For the practical portion, you will be assessed on your ability to provide the following barbering services:
- Hair Cutting
- Shampooing
- Scalp Manipulating
- Shaving
- Massage-Facials
- Applying Tonics and Cosmetics
For the written section, you will be tested on your knowledge of barber theory. These questions will concern the following barber subjects:
- Bacteriology
- Diseases
- Sterilization
- Implements
- Physiology
- Anatomy
- Ethics
You must pass this exam with a score of 70% or higher. If you fail the exam, you will need to complete 160 more hours of training in barbering school before you will be allowed to re-take the exam.
Once you have passed the exam, the North Dakota Association will issue you an apprentice license. When you obtain this license, you must work as an apprentice under the direct supervision of a licensed barber for one full year. After you complete this year of training, you may apply to take the master barber examination.
Step 3. Pass the Registered Barber Examination and Receive a Barber License
If you have graduated from barbering school and have practiced as a registered apprentice for at least 12 months, you are now eligible to take the master barber licensing exam. In order to apply for this exam, you will want to complete the following steps:
- Submit Proof of Apprenticeship Completion
- Submit $100 Master Exam Fee
The master exam will contain both a written and practical portion, and it will cover the same subject areas as the apprentice examination. However, for this examination, you must pass with a score of 75% or higher. If you fail this exam, you will need to work as a registered apprentice for an additional 6 months before you can apply to re-take the exam. When you pass, you will be issued your North Dakota barber license.
Step 4. Start a Career as a Licensed Barber in North Dakota
Now that you are a licensed, master barber, you can look for jobs in some of North Dakota’s best barbershops. Aside from barbershops, barbers often are able to find jobs in salons who hire barbers. If you’re looking for barbershops in some of North Dakota’s fastest-growing cities, consider the following options:
- House of Barbering – Fargo
- Arrowhead Barber Service – Minot
- Ruelle Barber Service – Minot
- Town & Country Barber Shop – Minot
If you want to open your own barbershop, where you can control the style, feel, and culture, you must apply for a North Dakota barbershop license. To do so, you will need to complete the following steps:
- Apply for an inspection and approval of the premises
- Pay $100 inspection fee
- Submit $50.00 yearly shop license renewal fee
Step 5. Complete Continuing Education to Renew Annually
You will need to renew your license before August 1st each year. In order to renew, you must complete 6 hours of continuing education (CE) every year. These hours may be completed by attending seminars or workshops, attending the Association’s annual state barber convention, or through video courses.
Once you have completed the 6 hours of continuing education, you may renew by submitting the renewal form and the $100 renewal fee.
Barber Salaries in North Dakota
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that North Dakota had the fifth highest average salary in the country for men’s hair and skin care professionals as of 2013.
Both federal and state salary estimates are on the low side for barbers, because customer tips add significantly to their income. The official salary figures do not take tipping into account.
The average barber salary in North Dakota was $28,140 a year in 2013 according to the state’s Workforce Intelligence Network. This was more than $4,600 higher than the national average for this field.
Barber salaries in North Dakota varied significantly depending on the level of experience these professionals had. Skilled barbers command higher salaries than those who are new to the barber and tonsorial artist field.
Experienced North Dakota barbers earned 55.8% more on average than their colleagues who were just starting out. The average salary for these experienced barbers was $31,960 a year in North Dakota. Entry-level barbers earned $20,510 on average.
Employment Opportunities for Barbers in North Dakota
The number of licensed barbers is expected to increase by 13% between 2012 and 2022 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reported that 98.4% of the country’s barbers worked in the personal care service industry in 2013, while the remainder worked for either employment services or psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals. While very few barbers worked in such hospitals, their salaries were substantially higher, earning as much as 33% more than those who worked in personal care services.