Barber Program
Explore the world of men’s haircuts, hairstyling, fades, clipper cuts, straight-razor shaving and more
at our campus in St. Petersburg, Florida
Become a cut above the rest
American Institute of Beauty (AIB) has been training Barber professionals in our community for over twenty years. At AIB, you can feel empowered to take your future and career into your own hands. A career as a barber can give you the opportunity to change your life in ways you’ve always dreamed of.
As creatives, we understand that learning doesn’t happen strictly from a textbook. It takes highly skilled educators with a passion for their craft, hands-on training in a professional environment, and experiences with real clients. Feel confident knowing that once you graduate AIB’s Barber program, you will be trained with the skills and techniques needed for a successful new career in barbering, whether you’re inspired to work at an established barbershop or open one of your own!
The Barber Program is only offered at our St. Petersburg Campus.
“This is not a facility, nor just a school. It’s a family that I feel honored to belong too. I had no knowledge of clippers or barbering before starting. Everyone from administration to all the instructors made me feel welcome and relevant. I recommend this school in all aspects.” – Edwin O. (Graduate)
What Can I Learn in AIB’s Barber Program?
Barbering is much more than quick cuts and shaving. It’s about an experience. In your barbering education from AIB, you will learn more than the average barber student. We know that in order to prepare for a career as a barber, you’ll need to train in many skills of the trade to enter a very competitive industry. Luckily, the curriculum at AIB isn’t hyper-focused on one area of barbering, which is extremely beneficial for you. Our training includes everything from the fundamentals of clipper cutting, facial grooming, color and texture services, to skincare and even business and marketing classes. Upon completion of our Barber program, you could have the ability to service ANY client that comes your way!
The Education
Our goal is to help you prepare to sit for the state board exam. Passing this exam means you are a licensed Barber in the state of Florida. To do this, we break up your educational experience into three phases that each build on each other. In the section below, you can see more details about what you will learn in each phase. The first phase teaches you the foundational principles and theory behind hair care and other barber services to prepare you for more advanced techniques. Once you transition into Phase 2 of our Barber program, you’ll dive deeper into the techniques you learned in Phase 1 with guidance from your educators. This will give you the opportunity to practice your skills in our school salon while completing services on actual guests! Phase 3 of our Barber program covers everything you need to know to take the State Board exam to become licensed along with job placement preparation.
Phase 1
- Men’s Hair cutting
- Men’s Hair design
- Men’s Hairstyling
- Men’s Hair coloring/lightening
- Women’s Hair cutting
- Women’s Hairstyling
- Straight Razor Shaving
- Facial Shaving & grooming design
- Chemical texture services (perms, relaxers, etc.)
- Men’s Facials
- Diseases & disorders of the hair/scalp/skin
- Sanitation/Disinfection
Phase 2
- Advanced Hair cutting
- Advanced Hair design
- Men’s Hair Replacement
- Professional Image
- Working Behind the Chair
- History of Barbering
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Life Skills
Phase 3
- State Board Exam preparation
- Business training
- Interview tips
- Professionalism
- Resume creation
- Marketing & Social Media
Why Choose AIB?
Choosing a Barber program is more than learning a skill—it’s about building a career that lasts. Not every school is built the same. While some schools try to cover everything, AIB is focused on one thing: preparing you for a future in beauty, barbering, and massage therapy/wellness. Training at a school that specializes in YOUR craft can make all the difference in your future career success!
At American Institute of Beauty, you don’t just practice techniques. You gain real-world experience in a student salon and barbershop environment, working with clients while learning under the guidance of licensed educators. That means hands-on experience from day one—not just book work.
As a Redken Premier School, our programs are designed to align with industry standards and expectations—so you can graduate prepared to pass your state board exam and step confidently into the professional world, with lifetime job placement assistance to support your next move.
We’re here to help you take what you love and turn it into something you can live. This isn’t just a classroom. It’s where your career begins.
Tech-Forward Beauty Education
At AIB, we know that in today’s day and age, part of becoming successful in the beauty industry is understanding and using technology. That’s why we use the Milady CIMA digital learning platform. This platform enhances the in-person classroom experience, offering additional tools and educational content on top of the training you receive from our knowledgeable, licensed educators. Each of our programs includes 24/7 access to the comprehensive, mobile-friendly, easy-to-use, digital platform.
Our Milady CIMA program offers a visual and collaborative experience that promotes the use of technology, efficiency, and the delivery of educational content that supports various learning styles.
Start The Enrollment Process
Have you decided American Institute of Beauty may be the right school for you? Contact our admissions team by giving us a call or filling out the form. From there, we’ll reach out to you to schedule your personal tour, so you can get an inside look of our school and start the enrollment process. We can’t wait to meet you and help you get started on your future in barbering!
Barber School FAQs
When you’re looking to enroll in a barber program, there are a few questions you’ll want answered right away. We’re here to address the most commonly asked questions about starting barber school so you can get the info you need to make a decision that changes your life. You want to do this, and we want to help!
What Are My Options for Funding My Education?
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. All campus locations in Largo, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton offer financial aid. Your future is worth funding. Don’t be afraid to learn more about what options are available for investing in a career you love.
American Institute of Beauty is approved for veterans’ training by the Veterans Administration. We accept many different types of VA benefits, including your POST-9/11 GI Bill®, at our campuses. You’ve dedicated your life to making the lives of others better, and you can continue that lifestyle with a career in beauty! Contact us to learn more about using veterans benefits at AIB.
Dependents and spouses of veterans may also be eligible. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Florida Prepaid is a great way to fund your education, and it’s not limited to traditional colleges. If your parents have put money away for you to invest in yourself, you can use it to help fund your beauty education at AIB! www.myfloridaprepaid.com/
External Scholarships
AIB provides access to many different external scholarships to students who have enrolled in our programs. Each external scholarship has its own requirements and availability throughout the year. The criteria for each external scholarship is unique. For more information visit: Beauty Changes Lives | Scholarships
“I tried community college and it just didn’t work out for me because there was no hands-on. I sat behind a desk and listened to a lecture and that just wasn’t for me. AIB offered me a hands-on education along with the opportunity to use my VA benefits, which has helped me progress towards the future I want.”
“My school forever. Graduated 2012. AIB believed in me, the educators believed in me. The investment they put into me is why I’m successful today. You get what you put into it. I put in 102% and now I’m a well respected barber in our community. AIB UP.”
“I went to community college for A/C because it was a quick program and I regret it to this day. It was something that I wasn’t into, something that didn’t interest me. But being in the barber program completely changed my life. Being a barber is fun, entertaining, I enjoy it a lot, and I see myself doing it for the rest of my life.”
The Extras at AIB
We like to go above and beyond in providing for our students. That’s why we offer a few extras at AIB!
