How to become a hairstylist in BC

Q: What are the requirements to become a hairstylist in BC?

High school graduation or mature student status; English 10 with minimum grade of C. Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

Hairstylist Red Seal Journeyperson · British Columbia

Facts checked 7 September 2026

Report a mistake·How we check facts

Cut, colour and style hair. You need a ten-month hair school program, apprenticeship hours and the Red Seal exam.

How long

2 years

Cost

About $5,700 – $12,500

Estimated tuition: about $5,700 to $12,500 for the whole program at the schools in our directory. Estimate; fees change every year. Confirm with the school.

Who licenses it

SkilledTradesBC

Voluntary trade (Red Seal)

Where you can take this: 4 schools

Vancouver Community College Vancouver Island University Blanche Macdonald Centre John Casablancas Institute (JCI Institute)

THE ROUTE

The route at a glance

STEP 1

Hairstylist Certificate Program (VCC / JCI)

Complete hairstyling technical training program at VCC or JCI Institute

STEP 2

Salon Sponsorship & 3,150 Apprenticeship Workplace Hours

Work in a salon and log required hours in the SkilledTradesBC portal

STEP 3

Interprovincial Red Seal Hairstylist Examination

Score 70% or higher on the national Red Seal exam

JOB

Certified Red Seal Hairstylist (Senior Stylist / Salon Owner)

Practice professionally as a senior stylist, colorist, or salon business owner

STEP 1

Hairstylist Certificate Program (VCC / JCI)

Complete hairstyling technical training program at VCC or JCI Institute

STEP 2

Salon Sponsorship & 3,150 Apprenticeship Workplace Hours

Work in a salon and log required hours in the SkilledTradesBC portal

STEP 3

Interprovincial Red Seal Hairstylist Examination

Score 70% or higher on the national Red Seal exam

JOB

Certified Red Seal Hairstylist (Senior Stylist / Salon Owner)

Practice professionally as a senior stylist, colorist, or salon business owner

This is the overview. For the courses to take, the entry rules, the exams and the schools, open the full route.

See the full route, step by step →

THE JOB

What the job is like

Pay and outlook from WorkBC.

Pay

$17.85 – $32.97 / hr$23 median

Job outlook

5,380 forecasted job openings (2025–2035) · 2025–2035

Where the work is

Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island / Coast, Thompson-Okanagan

What a day looks like

Work takes place in well-lit commercial hair salons, barbershops, and boutique private styling suites, as well as direct customer-facing environment with continuous conversation and consultations.

Watch out for

Be mindful of chemical exposure from peroxide, ammonia, bleach, and permanent wave solutions requiring gloves and ventilation and follow all required safety procedures.

Where it can lead

Specialize in balayage, corrective hair color, and premium bridal styling.

Run an independent hair styling business renting a private salon studio chair.

Source: WorkBC career profile, NOC 63210

JOBS

Find jobs

Live postings on the big job boards, searched for this job in British Columbia.

Job Board

WorkBC job board

Search “Hairstylist” in BC →

Job Board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

Search “Hairstylist” in BC →

Job Board

Search “Hairstylist” in BC →

Job Board

Indeed

Search “Hairstylist” in BC →

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Common questions

How long does it take to become a hairstylist in BC?

About 2 years after high school. The main steps are hairstylist certificate program (VCC / JCI), salon sponsorship & 3,150 apprenticeship workplace hours, interprovincial Red Seal hairstylist examination, certified Red Seal hairstylist (senior stylist / salon owner).

What are the requirements to become a hairstylist in BC?

High school graduation or mature student status
English 10 with minimum grade of C

Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

How much does a hairstylist make in BC?

The WorkBC median is $23 / hour. Most earn between $17.85 and $32.97 / hour. 5,380 job openings are expected in BC over 2025–2035. WorkBC lists average pay of $37,093 a year.

How much does it cost to become a hairstylist in BC?

Estimated tuition: about $5,700 to $12,500 for the whole program at the schools in our directory. Estimate; fees change every year. Confirm with the school.

Do you need a licence?

No. BC does not require a licence for this trade. Most employers want the Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal from SkilledTradesBC, which you earn through the apprenticeship.

WHERE TO TAKE THIS

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Accredited British Columbia institutions offering recognized programs and courses for this career.

Browse all BC institutions

🩺

Vancouver Community College

Vancouver (Downtown & Broadway) · Metro Vancouver

Certificate

Hairstylist Certificate

Comprehensive salon training program covering classic haircutting, color chemistry, styling, and salon floor operations.

Duration10 months

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $8,300 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Hairstylist certificate →

Direct Enrolment Portal

✂️

John Casablancas Institute (JCI Institute)

Vancouver · Metro Vancouver

Certificate

Hair Art Design Diploma

Intensive boutique academy diploma covering advanced cutting, creative color, runway styling, and client consultation.

Duration26 weeks

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $12,500 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Hairstylist certificate →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🐾

Vancouver Island University

Nanaimo Campus · Vancouver Island

Certificate

Hairstylist Foundation Certificate

SkilledTradesBC designated Hairstylist Foundation program with client salon practicum at VIU Nanaimo campus.

Duration11 months

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $5,700 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Hairstylist certificate →

Direct Enrolment Portal

💅

Blanche Macdonald Centre

Vancouver · Metro Vancouver

Certificate

Professional Hairstyling Foundations Diploma

PTIB-accredited intensive hairstyling diploma program covering cutting, colouring, chemical design, and salon client services in Vancouver.

Duration6–12 months

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $9,800 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Hairstylist certificate →

Direct Enrolment Portal

How to become a hairstylist in BC

The route at a glance

Hairstylist Certificate Program (VCC / JCI)

Salon Sponsorship & 3,150 Apprenticeship Workplace Hours

Interprovincial Red Seal Hairstylist Examination

Certified Red Seal Hairstylist (Senior Stylist / Salon Owner)

Hairstylist Certificate Program (VCC / JCI)

Salon Sponsorship & 3,150 Apprenticeship Workplace Hours

Interprovincial Red Seal Hairstylist Examination

Certified Red Seal Hairstylist (Senior Stylist / Salon Owner)

What the job is like

Find jobs

WorkBC job board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

LinkedIn

Indeed

Common questions

How long does it take to become a hairstylist in BC?

What are the requirements to become a hairstylist in BC?

How much does a hairstylist make in BC?

How much does it cost to become a hairstylist in BC?

Do you need a licence?

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Vancouver Community College

Hairstylist Certificate

John Casablancas Institute (JCI Institute)

Hair Art Design Diploma

Vancouver Island University

Hairstylist Foundation Certificate

Blanche Macdonald Centre

Professional Hairstyling Foundations Diploma