Last year, a new “Hair Design” license was introduced in Washington State. Prior to 2016, only two distinctions were available when it came to professions styling hair in the state; either you were a Cosmetologist or a Barber. Evergreen Beauty College addresses what the true differences are between these roles.
- Can a Hair Designer shave?
- Can a Hair Designer wax?
- What other training do Hair Designers have, or don’t have, compared to Cosmetologists or Barbers?
In this blog, we will dive into the differences between a Barbering License and a Hair Design License. My intention is to help students that are interested in deciding which license is the best fit for them.
Understanding the Differences
The Law
To understand the difference, we have to examine the scope of license. The scope means what they are legally allowed to do, or not do. In Washington State, you must look at the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), aka “the law”, to understand what is permitted under the two different licenses.
Barbers
Barbers engage in the practice of Barbering. According to RCW 18.16.020 the “Practice of barbering” means the cutting, trimming, arranging, dressing, curling, shampooing, shaving, and mustache and beard design of the hair of the face, neck, and scalp.
Hair Designers
On the other hand, the practice of “Hair Design” is defined as the practice of arranging, dressing, cutting, trimming, styling, shampooing, permanent waving, chemical relaxing, straightening, curling, bleaching, lightening, coloring, mustache and beard design, and superficial skin stimulation of the scalp.
As you can see, both a Barber and Hair Designer are able to design, style hair, as well shave and do beard designs. A Barber’s scope of practice ceases with the cutting and styling, while a Hair Designer can extend services to color and chemical treatments.
In the End
The more education the better, right? Sometimes. It depends on your interest. A barber’s license requires 1000 Clock Hours, while Hair Design license requires 1400 Clock Hours. This would require a student additional time in school (400 hours) which most probable will result in increased cost. With an increase cost, and time, a student should consider how interested, and likely, are they to put this expanded scope of chemical and color treatments? If a student is passionate color and chemical treatments, it may be worth spending additional 400 hours of training and an additional investment in tuition.
Chemical treatments are extremely popular, and hair colorist are among some of the most compensated specialties when it comes hair. Their ability to leverage their time and retention (no one likes to walk around with grow out) are contributors their ability to generate revenue. However, if student has no interest in hair color or chemical services, and is only passionate to cutting and designing, it may not make sense to spend more time and resources if they do not intend to us it.
I did have some barbers reach out to me and ask me if they can upgrade and expand their license to Hair Design. The answer is yes; they would need to attain the additional 400 hours in training, and then retest to attain the Hair Design license.
Ultimately, knowing the difference can help you determine the right course for you.
Learn more from Evergreen Beauty College, our beauty experts. From tips, tricks, and “How to” videos – to resources about how you can become a beauty industry professional. Find out more about Evergreen Beauty College.
Comments