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The Difference Between Barbering & Cosmetology

A barbering client waits patiently while his barber trims his hair.
Key Takeaways: Curious if your barbering profession could benefit from a bit of cosmetology licensing? This blog lays out the differences (and similarities) between barbering and cosmetology so you can determine what path is the best for your barbering career. Who knows, maybe it's both! 

The Must-Know Differences Between Barbering & Cosmetology

If you've ever sat in your shop wondering how your skill (barbering) overlaps and intersects with cosmetology in general, know you're not alone. The truth is, the line between barbering and cosmetology is a little messy. There's lots you can do with a barbering license in the world of cosmetology and vice versa. However, being an expert in one doesn't necessarily mean you're ready to tackle the other.

In this blog, we'll chat through the similarities, differences, and how you can tell if and when it's time to tackle a dual license for barbering and cosmetology.

Let’s Talk Cosmetology First 

For both of these professions, we’re going to break it down to the basics so you can get the real deal on what each of these careers entails. Cosmetology, by definition, is the practice of beautification for hair, skin, and the face. Let’s dive into that.

For starters, cosmetology is broad. It can cover hair skills, makeup artistry, esthetician skills, nail technician, and so much more! It ranges amongst all these things, but there is a traditional focus on hair for cosmetologists, which is what makes it so confusing when we start setting it side-by-side with barbering. Before we explain this more, note that the biggest difference between a cosmetologist and a barber is that typically, cosmetologists are licensed to perform services beyond just hair-based services.

Beyond that, though, cosmetologists can offer different hair services than barbers can. For example, cosmetologists can offer chemical services like hair color, chemical straighteners, perms, and more. Often, this is not included in barber’s training or on their list of services offered.

"Cosmetology is broad! It can cover hair skills, makeup artistry, esthetician skills, nail tech services, and so much more."

Both cosmetologists and barbers are required to pass exams and have a certain number of certification hours before they’re able to receive their licenses. Typically, the requirements for each vary on the state the barber or cosmetologist is located.

The Buzz on Barbering: Understand the Basics

Barbering is typically thought of to be a service geared specifically toward men, however, barbers are fully able to serve both men and women.

Traditionally, a barber will offer more versatile and useful services for men, such as haircuts, hair styling, shaving, beard trimming and styling, and much more. Barbers have a sole focus on hair, and most of the time (this is not always the rule), will have a focus on simple cutting techniques and styling training.

The biggest difference is that barbering is strictly focused on hair, whereas cosmetology has a much broader inclusion, such as nails, skin, hair, and more. Barbering is much more zeroed in on hair and facial hair training and experience, and again, is typically focused on men’s needs.

A barber cuts her clients hair while chatting about barbering and cosmetology.

Do I Need a Dual Barbering & Cosmetology License?

Here’s the cool thing about barbering and cosmetology – while there’s some overlap, they’re inherently different practices an careers. Translation? You’ll learn different skills, be able to offer different services, and open up a whole new client base with each of these licenses.

Does this mean that you should double license?

The reality is, it’s ultimately up to you! We recommend dual licensing if any of the following scenarios apply to you, your biz, or your barbering or cosmetology future: 

  • You Want to Offer a Wider Variety of Services: As we said, with cosmetology, you can offer a broad array of services, but this also works vice versa. There might be tons of male-centric styling and cutting techniques that you might not necessarily learn in cosmetology school that could benefit your business. With both licenses, you can offer more services than with just one license.
  • You Want to Open Yourself Up to a Broader Market: Building off the last point, with more services, you’re opening yourself up to new markets that you might not normally have reached. If you’re a licensed barber, you’re reaching a set clientele, but if you add in some cosmetology services (Hair color, skin services, nails, etc.), you’re opening your shop or business up to a much bigger, broader market.
  • You Want to Expand Your Skills and Broaden Your Creativity: This is a great way to get your creative juices flowing! You’ll have to think differently, grow as an artist, and understand a whole new set of creative obstacles! Dual-licensing might help to improve your creativity and artistry overall.
  • You Like to Challenge Yourself: If you’re consistently seeking improvement and new challenges, double licensing could be an awesome choice! You’ll have to explore and conquer a whole new set of challenges, do things you might never have before, and learn an entirely new skill. It’s tough but guaranteed to be rewarding.
  • You Believe it Would Benefit You in Your Current Location: Perhaps where you’re located now might benefit from your double license. If you believe that you could offer more services and benefit from it where you’re presently located, double licensing might be the right route.
  • You Think It Might Help Your Career in the Future: If you feel that double licensing might help you sometime in the future, there’s no time like the present to start working on it! The sooner you achieve this license, the sooner you can implement it!

That being said, if you’re perfectly satisfied with a license in one or the other, then that’s okay, too! Dual licensing isn’t for everybody, and that’s okay!

There are plenty of single-licensed folks out there who have a blast with what they do, are plenty successful, and never feel the need to double license.

Again, it’s entirely up to you and what you believe will work best for you – make sure you’re considering each license from all angles before making your decision!


So, still on the fence on that dual license? Remember, what you decide is ultimately up to what's best for you, your biz, and your barbering future. And speaking of future...protect that future of yours with professional liability insurance. Because nothing derails a barbering career like an unplanned or unforeseen liability claim that could have been covered. 

Pssssst. Before we go, remember to subscribe to NAOB for the inside scoop on the latest industry gossip, the must-know industry tips, and advice (like this blog!) on how to take your career to the next level.