Jefferson Barber Commission

Jefferson County Barber Board is over restrictive and completely shutting out new business entering the county thus limiting the growth of bham.

I moved to Jeff Co. in late 2017 as an exempt barber with a barber’s “exemption” permit from the Alabama Board of Cosmetology & Barbering. This permit although it’s not offered any longer but is acknowledged by 62 of the 67 counties in Alabama allowed me to work in licensed shops and exempt shops throughout my journey in AL. I barbered for a couple years with it all while getting paid and without any type of formal education. I am very great-full for that. But when I moved to Jeff Co. the barbering commision said I was in “no way” able to transfer my permit into a Jeff Co. Barber’s License. One would reasonably imagine he could just take an exam and pay some dues to get licensed to show that one is properly equipped to barber in Jeff Co. But no, the board insists that I had to either enroll in a barber school or enroll in the CBA program (certified barber apprentice) as if I had no clue how to properly work in a barber shop and as if I needed to be taught. It was almost insulting, like why don’t we just skip the show and I’ll pay my dues so that I can get to work here in my new hometown. I didn’t need to go to school or apprentice and in fact I’m better then most barbers around when it comes to barbering as a whole (haircut quality, sanitation, customer service, business management and history.) Needless to say the board’s answer was not the answer I was looking for and obviously the system isn’t governed correctly or fairly, most importantly the ladder. But with all that said I do believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel so I gave them a 5-star review. The people I’ve seen working there that are putting in all of that hard work are doing a good job. And for little pay or even in some instances perhaps none at all I’ve heard. They’re good people and I appreciate the efforts they’re all doing so that the Jefferson County Barbering Commision may one day become a well oiled machine in the near future. A big thank you to all of you that are a part of the Jefferson County Barbering Commision reformation!