Barber School in Kissimmee: What Nobody Tells You Before You Pick Up the Clippers

Our Barber Instructor, Jorge Luis Marrero. Giving a lesson to one of his students (July, 2026)

Barbering is a career, not a side hustle

The barbershop isn't going anywhere. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 80,300 job openings each year for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists through 2035. Barbers earned a median of $18.37 an hour in May 2025, tips included, and the top 10% earned more than $36.76 an hour (BLS).

Here's the part people miss: 80% of barbers are self-employed (BLS). That means renting your own booth, setting your own schedule, building your own brand, and one day maybe opening your own shop. Your chair is your business.

How long is barber school in Kissimmee?

At Academy of Career Training (ACT), the Barbering program is 900 hours and built for Florida licensure. Compare that to a four-year degree. You could be licensed and cutting for paying clients while your friends are still picking their sophomore classes.

ACT offers day and evening schedules, so you can keep your job while you train. Ask admissions how many weeks your schedule takes.

What you'll actually learn

Good barber school teaches more than clipper work. Expect to train in:

• Fades, tapers, and blending that actually connects

• Shape-ups, line-ups, and razor work

• Beard design, hot towel treatments, and shaves

• Sanitation and the Florida laws you need for the state exam

• Client consultation, so you can talk to anyone in your chair

• The business side: booth rent, pricing, and building a clientele

Learn from someone who's been there

ACT alum Jaslier Cruz, known on Instagram as @hairymoney, trained at ACT in 2015. He started cutting at 17 and remembers weeks when he made just $60. His advice to our students: tie your goals to getting better, not to money, because the money follows the skill.

Now he's coming back for good. Jaslier will soon join ACT as a barber instructor, so future students can learn from his experience every day.

What to look for in a barber school in Kissimmee

Not every barber school is built the same. Before you enroll, ask these questions:

1. Will I work on real clients? At ACT, students practice on real, paying clients from day one in the student salon.

2. What is the licensure pass rate? ACT's state licensure exam pass rate is 84% or higher.

3. Is the school accredited? ACT is accredited, state-licensed, and federally approved (school code 041269).

4. Can I afford it? ACT offers 0% interest in-house payment plans, scholarships, and federal aid through FAFSA.

5. Does the schedule fit my life? Look for day and evening options.

Ready to get in the chair?

Come see the shop for yourself at our next Open House. Meet the instructors, take a practice lesson, and even interview the same day. RSVP for the Open House or apply now for the next cohort.

FAQ

• Do I need experience to start barber school?

  No. Most students start as beginners, and the program teaches you from the basics up.

• Can I get financial aid for barber school?

  Yes, if you qualify. Use ACT's school code 041269 on the FAFSA at studentaid.gov, and ask about scholarships like the Dunia Path Scholarship.

• Where is Academy of Career Training located?

  We are located in 3501 W Vine St, Suite 111, Kissimmee, FL 34741.