What Comes After Graduating Barber School?

Graduating from barber school is a huge accomplishment. You’ve built your skills, clocked the hours, and learned to work with real clients. If you attended a reputable institution like Kings Barber College, you’ve also started building a network of talented and motivated barbers. But now what? This blog will walk you through things to expect post-graduation.

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Get Licensed and Ready to Work

Before anything else, your next step is to pass the state board exam and obtain your license. In New Mexico (as in other states), the barber licensing exam consists of both a written theory test and a hands-on practical exam. The written portion covers topics like sanitation and safety, hair and scalp anatomy, chemical procedures, and barbering laws. The practical exam evaluates your ability to perform key services such as haircuts, shaving with a straight razor, facial grooming, and possibly chemical services, depending on the license type.

At Kings Barber College, we prepare students by integrating both state board preparation and real-world scenarios into the classroom and clinic floor. You’ll practice timed services under supervision, receive study support, and get comfortable with the expectations before testing day. Once you pass both parts and complete the required paperwork, you’ll receive your license and be fully authorized to work as a professional barber.

Start With an Internship or Apprenticeship

An internship will help you get your first paid job. At Kings Barber College, we help students secure internships at respected local barbershops and salons, and this experience builds confidence, sharpens communication skills, and provides networking opportunities with shop owners who may be hiring.

Some graduates choose to pursue a formal apprenticeship with a licensed barber. This can last several months and offers even more valuable insight into the pace, workflow, and expectations of the shop. You may also want more time to master straight razor techniques, speed, and client interaction skills, and an apprenticeship will do this for you.

Landing Your First Job in a Shop

Once licensed, barbers can apply for jobs in established barbershops, full-service salons, or hybrid grooming spaces. Some positions are hourly or commission-based, while others involve renting a chair. In an employee role, your tools may be provided and your schedule managed by the shop owner. Commission pay means you earn a percentage of each service performed, which often ranges from 40% to 60% depending on the shop.

If you rent a chair, you’ll operate more like an independent contractor. You pay a weekly or monthly fee to use a station in someone else's shop,anywhere from $100 to $300 per week depending on the location and amenities. You supply your own tools, manage your schedule, and keep all your earnings.

Shop Culture and Long-Term Fit

Every barbershop has its own personality. Some shops focus on high-volume walk-ins, and others are appointment-only. You’ll find modern grooming studios, traditional barbershops, and even barbers who specialize in creative cuts, hair tattoos, or multicultural styling.

Find a shop that aligns with your goals, style, and values. This will help you be successful. Visit a few places, and find out if the shops value continued education, how they attract new clients, and the types of services they offer.

Crossover Training for Cosmetologists

If you have a cosmetology license and are thinking about transitioning into barbering, a crossover program is a smart option. Kings Barber College offers a structured crossover course that focuses on straight razor shaving, fades, men’s grooming, and other skills that aren’t typically covered in cosmetology school. This allows licensed cosmetologists to earn their barber license without repeating foundational subjects.

It’s a fast-track way to expand your services and work in barbershops that require a barber license for certain services, such as razor shaves or beard design. Some barbers even pursue a cosmetology license afterward, creating dual-licensed professionals with more flexibility and broader earning potential.

Going Independent or Opening Your Own Space

At some point, you may want to become fully independent. Renting a chair is one route, but others go mobile or open private studios. Mobile barbers often work by appointment and travel to clients’ homes or workplaces. Opening your own shop is the most ambitious move and comes with a whole list of costs: leasing a space, furnishing stations, acquiring licenses and insurance, and managing payroll. Many barbers start small,perhaps with one or two chairs,before expanding.

Add-On Services That Bump Your Income

Beard sculpting, hot towel shaves, scalp treatments, hair coloring, and eyebrow design are in demand. With additional certifications or advanced workshops, you can refine these skills and raise your service prices. Some barbers even become educators, platform artists, or brand ambassadors for product lines. Others create content on social media or teach new barbers entering the field

Kings Barber College Stands By Its Students

Graduating doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Kings Barber College stays involved with students after they complete the program. We help our grads connect with local shops, build resumes, prep for interviews, and continue developing their professional path. Whether you want to start earning right away or take time to refine your craft, we’re here to help you thrive.

Barbering isn’t just a job, it’s a career full of possibilities. You’ve done the hard part by finishing school. Now it’s time to explore what comes next and take the next step forward with confidence.