American Barber Institute — 48 West 39th Street, New York, NY 10018 & 121 Westchester Square, Bronx, NY 10461 Reserva un Tour
(212) 290-2289English (856) 316-1551Haircut
Traducción completa en español próximamente — contenido en inglés a continuación. Contáctanos en español al (212) 290-0278.

Programs / 500-Hour Master Barber — Bronx

Become a Licensed Master Barber at Our Bronx Campus

New York requires 500 hours of state-approved training before you can sit for the barber licensing exam — and you can complete every one of them in the Bronx. At 121 Westchester Square, our bilingual instructors take career-changers from a first fade to a State Board–ready barber in about four months, with flexible schedules and weekly payment plans built for real life.

NYS-Licensed 500 Hours Bronx Campus Bilingual Instruction Se Habla Español

The Program at a Glance

Your Bronx Transformation in Four Numbers

The same 500-hour Master Barber program New York requires, delivered close to home in the Bronx — hours, timeline, monthly starts and starting tuition.

500
Training hours required by New York State
4
Months to finish on a full-time schedule
1
New cohort starts the first Monday of every month
$4,600
Tuition starting price (Plan B & C)

What You'll Learn

Skills the Bronx Actually Pays For

You train hands-on with real clients on the clinic floor, not on mannequins — so by graduation a fade, a lineup or a shave is second nature. This is the same curriculum that prepares beginners for the New York State Board exam and a working chair.

Fades, Tapers & Blends

Low, mid and high fades, classic tapers, bald fades and seamless blending — the backbone of nearly every haircut clients ask for by name.

Razor Work & Lineups

Straight-razor lineups, edge-ups and crisp detailing — the precision that gives a cut its finished shape and marks a trained barber.

Beard Design & Shape-Ups

Beard trims, sculpting and grooming — a high-margin service that turns a single-chair barber into a full-service one.

Hot-Towel Shaves & Facial Massage

Traditional wet shaves, hot-towel prep and facial massage — premium services that raise your ticket and set a shop apart.

Classic & Modern Cuts

Pompadours, Caesars, afros, flat tops, scissor-over-comb and blowouts across every hair type you'll meet on a Bronx clinic floor.

Sanitation, Law & Board Prep

Sterilization, barber law and shop management — the theory New York tests — plus dedicated State Board exam prep, written and practical.

Explore where these skills can take your career or read how long barber school really takes.

The Timeline

From Your First Day to a Licensed Barber

Four phases carry you from the classroom to the chair — theory first, then the floor, then the exam — all at the Bronx campus at 121 Westchester Square.

1 · Theory First

Your opening weeks cover sanitation, sterilization, barber law, shop management and history — the written half of the State Board exam.

2 · On the Floor

The bulk of your hours are hands-on with real clients — fades, razor work, beard trims and shaves under bilingual instructor supervision.

3 · Exam Prep

The final stretch is dedicated New York State Board exam preparation, practical and written, so you're ready on test day.

4 · Get Licensed

You pass the State Board exam, receive your Master Barber license, and step into a shop as a working professional.

Barber student training on a real client at the American Barber Institute Bronx campus

Bronx campus: 121 Westchester Square, Bronx, NY 10461 · (718) 676-0640. Prefer Manhattan? See the Manhattan 500-hour program.

Schedules & Payment Plans

Three Plans, One Curriculum — Train Around Your Life

The 500 hours are identical on every plan; you're choosing pace, not content. Each plan starts with a $500–$550 down payment, then continues on weekly payments while you train.

Plan A · Fastest

Full-Time · Morning

Mon–Fri · 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

$5,600
  • Finish in roughly 4 months
  • $500–$550 down, then weekly payments
  • Afternoons and evenings stay free
  • Best when training is your priority now

Plan B · Lowest Full-Time Cost

Full-Time · Afternoon

Mon–Fri · 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

$4,600
  • Finish in roughly 4 months
  • $500–$550 down, then weekly payments
  • Mornings stay open for work or family
  • Same full-time pace at a lower price

Plan C · Keep Your Job

Part-Time · Weekend

Sat–Sun · 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

$4,600
  • Finish in roughly 6–7 months
  • $500–$550 down, then weekly payments
  • Keep your weekday income while you retrain
  • Identical 500-hour curriculum and exam prep

New cohorts begin the first Monday of every month — next start soon. Compare pace on the schedules page.

Why Train in the Bronx

“You shouldn't have to leave your neighborhood to change your life. The Bronx campus brings the same license, the same exam prep and bilingual instructors right to Westchester Square.”

Barbering is one of the most accessible skilled trades in New York — low entry requirements, fast licensing and income that grows with your skill and your book of clients. Training close to home means less commute, more chair time, and instructors who speak your language. See the career paths a license opens.

Paying for It

You Have More Funding Options Than You Think

Between weekly payment plans, veterans' benefits and vocational-rehabilitation funding, most Bronx students find a way to make the 500-hour program work.

Weekly Payment Plans

$500–$550 down, then weekly payments as you train — never one lump sum. See the tuition & funding page.

Veterans & GI Bill®

Eligible veterans may apply GI Bill® benefits toward barber training. Start on the veterans page.

ACCES-VR

New Yorkers with a documented disability may qualify for tuition, tools and books. See the ACCES-VR page.

Common Questions

The Bronx 500-Hour Route, Answered

Where is the Bronx campus located?
At 121 Westchester Square, Bronx, NY 10461. You can reach the Bronx campus at (718) 676-0640. It offers the full 500-hour Master Barber program.
Is the Bronx program the same as the Manhattan one?
Yes — it's the same 500-hour, NYS-licensed Master Barber curriculum and the same State Board exam prep. Prefer Midtown? See the Manhattan 500-hour program.
Is instruction available in Spanish?
Yes. The Bronx campus has bilingual instructors, and admissions can help you in English or Spanish. Se habla español.
How long does the Bronx 500-hour program take?
About 4 months full-time, or roughly 6–7 months on the weekend track while you keep a weekday job. See how long barber school takes.
What does it cost?
Tuition runs $4,600–$5,600 depending on schedule, with $500–$550 down and weekly payments. Plan A (morning) is $5,600; Plan B (afternoon) and Plan C (weekend) are $4,600.
What happens after I finish the hours?
You sit for the New York State Board barber exam. Once you pass, you earn your Master Barber license. Our exam guide covers what to expect.

Your Next Step

Start Your 500 Hours in the Bronx

Pick a schedule, pick a start date, and train close to home. New cohorts begin the first Monday of every month — next start soon. Call the Bronx campus or talk to admissions in English or Spanish.

Las clases comienzan el primer lunes de cada mes

¿Listo para Convertirte en Barbero Licenciado?

La próxima clase comienza pronto. Los cupos se llenan rápido — inscríbete, solicita una llamada, o habla con admisiones en inglés o español.

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