FAQ Knowledge Base
Welcome to Tribeca Barber & Beauty School’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Library. Here you will find answers to the most common questions relating to barbering, cosmetology, and beauty professional education at our school in New York City.
Choosing the right school and beauty education program is a big decision, and potential students face many questions. Browse this page to find information on careers, schedules, etc. You can use the table of contents to navigate directly to your desired section.
If you didn’t find the answer you were looking for, don’t hesitate to contact our school!
Table of Contents:
Field Introduction FAQ
Is barbering a good career?
Being a barber is trendier than ever. Barbering brings a lot of benefits—you can make great money, the job security is next level (people will always need their hair taken care of), there’s lots of customer interactions, and you get to tap into both your creative and business savvy sides. If this is something that interests you, we recommend thinking about a career in barbering!
How do I become a barber in New York?
There are many ways to become a barber in New York.
- New York State Education
- Enroll in an Approved NYS Barber School Barber School
- Complete the required minimum of 500 hours of Barber training
- Complete the Infection Control course, which should be included in the curriculum of any approved NYS Barber School
- Pass the NYS Barber Operator Exam
- Education Outside of New York State
- Complete state approved Barber program in any of the 49 states
- Provide Certificate of Completion as well as Transcripts to NYS with your application
- Pass the NYS Barber Operator Exam
- Apprenticeship
- Obtain NYS Apprentice Barber License from NYS
- After license is granted, you’ll need to work for 2 years under a Master Barber.
- Apply for Barber Operator license after 2 years of experience
- Pass the NYS Barber Operator Exam
- Experience outside of United States
- Provide Certificate of Completion of school from your country, if any
- Provide two letters of recommendation from your clients, boss or colleagues. Letters should support the type and length of your experience. Experience has to be from your native country.
- Pass the NYS Barber Operator Exam
- Reciprocity
- Licensed barbers from Maine, New Mexico, or Pennsylvania may obtain their NYS license by reciprocity
Is barbering hard to learn?
Being a barber is not hard, but being a good barber can take years to achieve a profitable working routine. Anyone can do the bare minimum in any working field, but if you want to leave a legacy and a substantial profit in this business, learning all of the aspects of barbering will take lots of effort.
How many haircuts does the average barber do?
The average barber typically does 18 standard haircuts, 14 full-service haircuts or they mix it up a bit and do 4 full service & 12 standard haircuts within a day. This should give you an idea of how to structure day-to-day time, services & become creatively appealing to your clients.
What can I expect from a barber school?
Barber School will give you the full rundown of barbering, and may even teach you about how some of the old techniques have influenced and shaped today’s techniques. You will also learn the core techniques of cutting hair, trimming, shaving and the tools you’ll be using to cut trim, and shave hair.
What makes your school different from others?
We say it many times! Tribeca Barber & Beauty School is very different from other conventional schools. We say this with good reason with one of them being that we offer employment opportunities for our students as soon as they graduate. We present numerous programs with clear, concise teachings. And we have resources for students/alumni with licensing, issues, etc.
Admission FAQ
Do your programs have any requirements?
All prospective and current students must comply with our program requirements including proof of U.S. address, valid ID card, and a social security number. Please visit the program you are interested in to see all the program requirements.
What is your application process?
Our team is working hard in answering your questions – please check back for any updates. You may also call the school for any questions.
How will I know if I got accepted into your school?
Our team is working hard in answering your questions – please check back for any updates. You may also call the school for any questions.
Curriculum FAQ
How many hours is barber school in New York?
New York State requires at least 500 hours in order to be eligible to take the NYS Barber Operator exam. Courses may be longer than the required minimum. However, they are not mandatory. Schools increase the hours in order to be eligible for financial aid from the Federal government which requires courses to be no less than 660 hours.
Upon completion of the minimum required hours and successful passage of the NYS Barber Operator exam, you’ll be granted the Barber Operator license which is also called the Master Barber license.
How long are program courses?
Each program course varies and can take anywhere from 2 weeks up to 5 months. Please check the program you are interested in to see how long the course is.
Will I be cutting hair in school?
Both barber programs and cosmetology programs do and can cut hair. However, barbering offers a more extensive and in-depth curriculum for haircutting than cosmetologists do. It is important to realize this difference up front to ensure that you are attending the school that can give you the career you want.
Will I be practicing on real people?
Hands-on training is important for students to fully understand and cater to client needs. Thus, our programs allow you to learn the fundamentals and skills of barbering by working on real clients and school guests.
Who are school guests?
Guests or clients are people who are looking to get haircut services. These services allow you to practice hairstyling and haircutting on real people to hone your skills.
Can I practice on my family and friends?
We highly recommend students practice on their family and friends. Hands-on training at school and outside of school are your best tools to master your barbering/cosmetology craft. And who’s a better cheerleader than your family and friends?
Are there any tests after the course?
For barbering, there is a practical test administered by NYS at our school. For cosmetology, there are two tests consisting of a practical test and a theory-based test. These cosmetology tests are administered by NYS at different locations in NY.
Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ
How much do barber schools cost?
Many private vocational schools offer barbering programs. Program costs for these programs will vary significantly from one school to the next. Thus, prices for school tuition start at $3,500 and can go as high as $10,000. Prices for tools can start from $400 up to $1,000. It’s important to find out what the quoted price includes when researching various programs and schools as some schools include tools in the price and some schools do not.
Are there any registration fees?
Our tuition includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee.
Do you offer any payment plans?
We know tuition can be overwhelming, so we don’t require you to pay everything up-front. We offer a down payment up-front and installments every week to help. Please check the program you are applying to for specifics.
Accreditation and Licensing FAQ
Can I get a license with you?
Our Barbering course leads to a Master Barber License in New York State. Once the course is completed you will be eligible to take the NYS Barber Operator Exam. The exams are done at our school twice a month, every month.
Will I be getting anything after I finish my course?
Once you complete your course, you will receive a School Certificate of Completion showcasing your hard work and dedication. It will help others in knowing that you have the necessary skills and knowledge in barbering or cosmetology.
Who can I talk too about licensing stuff?
Our management staff with experience in administration and barber/beauty is your resource for licensing rules and regulations. We can help you with your questions and/or issues.
Campus and Facilities FAQ
Where are you guys located?
We are located at 95-16 63rd Road in Rego Park. It is a bustling neighborhood within walking distance of the train station, restaurants, banks, shopping centers, and more.
Do you provide housing for students?
Unfortunately, we do not provide housing for students.
What do you recommend for housing?
Rego Park is an up-and-coming neighborhood with accessible housing for many individuals. Whether you would like a studio, apartment, or live with a roommate, you can find various housing styles for your needs around the school and the neighborhood. We recommend looking at housing/renting websites to help you!
Career Services FAQ
Do you educate students on the business side of the beauty industry?
Yes! Our management staff has a combined 40 years of administrative experience in barbering/beauty. Thus, we can help you navigate the NYS Department of Licensing rules and regulations.
Do you help to find a job after graduation?
As being part of our student, we have numerous resources in finding employment in the field or becoming your own operator. We can assist with both job placement or opening up your own barbershop.
Student Services FAQ
Are any books required for my course?
Reading material is required for both barbering and cosmetology. Books/material will be announced during the introduction of the course.
Is any equipment needed for my course?
Equipment is required for the course so that you can be able to master your craft and get used to your tools. For information on what equipment we offer, please see our equipments page.
Do you provide students with books or equipment?
We do provide students with books and equipment for an additional cost. These resources produced and hand-picked by our professionals allow you to refine and master your skills. We recommend our toolkits, as you can use them on school guests, and you can also practice on family/friends.
Is there a dress code?
Each student toolkit comes with a cape with its own designated color to differentiate barbers and cosmetologists. We recommend wearing it during school hours for safety and cleanliness reasons, especially since you will be working with substances.
What's included in the student toolkits?
Check our dedicated page with the full list of student toolkits. Our student toolkits are professionally chosen by our expert teachers. This allows you to work with the best materials during your time with us!
Can I take the toolkit home and use them?
The student toolkits are yours and can be used both at home and at school. We highly recommend utilizing them to your fullest advantage so you can hone your skills.
Policies and Procedures FAQ
May I transfer from another school?
Yes, you may transfer from another school. However, this is on a case-by-case basis depending on availability of seats in the school.
What if I graduate in NYS and move to another state?
You will need to contact the Department of Licensing of the state you are moving too, to find out the requirements in order to transfer your school credits and/or license.
Is there a special schedule available?
At Tribeca Barber & Beauty school, we offer flexible scheduling. We know life isn’t always consistent, thus we have morning, evening, and weekend availabilities for our programs.
Can I switch between morning, evening, and weekend schedules?
Yes, our flexibility allows you to switch between morning, evening, and weekend schedules. Please consult the management staff first if you would like to switch.
What holidays are you closed on?
Our school is closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
What if I need time off during my education?
Time off during education is granted on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to the management staff to discuss further.
Educational Programs
4 Months
3 Months
8 Months
2 Days
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95-16 63rd Road, Rego Park, NY 11374
Working Hours
Monday to Friday: 9 am to 7 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 10:30 am to 6pm
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Tribeca Barber & Beauty School is one of the top New York City schools to learn barbering, cosmetology, and beauty. If you are looking to start a new professional career and expand your knowledge and skill set, you are in the right place. Schedule a free one-on-one school presentation tour with one of our teachers.