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Do you need a barber licence in Saskatchewan?

Yes, in practice. Hairstylist is not on Saskatchewan’s list of compulsory apprenticeship trades, but section 28(4) of The Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Regulations, 2020 says no person shall work in the hairstylist trade unless they are a journeyperson or hold a learner’s certificate, and section 28(11) requires a certified journeyperson on duty whenever the shop is open.

Last updated Written by Bikram ParmarReviewed by Aleem Rehmtulla
Saskatchewan at a glance
Licence needed to barber for pay
Yes, by regulation (s.28)
Regulator
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
Credential
Hairstylist journeyperson or learner’s certificate
Hours
See SATCC
Red Seal
Yes
Exam and fees
Interprovincial journeyperson exam
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Who regulates barbers in Saskatchewan?

The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) runs the Hairstylist trade. Table 4 of the regulations lists only five compulsory apprenticeship trades — construction electrician, plumber, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, sheet metal worker and sprinkler fitter — so hairstylist looks voluntary at first glance. Section 28 says otherwise.

  • Section 28(4): no person shall work in the trade, and no employer shall employ a person in it, unless that person is a journeyperson or holds a learner’s certificate in the trade.
  • Section 28(3): a valid cosmetologist or barber stylist learner’s certificate, special permit or journeyperson certificate counts as meeting the hairstylist requirement.
  • Section 28(7): someone who is not an apprentice must certify within a year of completing 5,400 hours of work in the trade, unless they have applied for, taken or are retaking the journeyperson exam.
  • Section 28(11): a business where the trade is practised must have at least one journeyperson on duty at all times it is open to the public. Section 28(12) applies this to businesses established, sold, leased or transferred on or after September 2, 1986.

How do you get certified as a barber in Saskatchewan?

Register with SATCC as an apprentice to get a learner’s certificate, train on the job under a journeyperson, and write the interprovincial journeyperson exam. SATCC’s hairstylist page publishes the course content, on-the-job checklist and exam information; it does not state the apprenticeship hours, so confirm them with SATCC.

  • Ratio: up to three apprentices for each journeyperson (Table 6).
  • Apprentice pay: at least minimum wage for the first six months, then at least 110% of minimum wage beyond the first half of an apprenticeship year (Table 5).
  • Grace period: section 28(6) lets a person work for 90 days after finishing the required training program while their learner’s certificate application is pending.

Is a barber different from a hairstylist in Saskatchewan?

Only historically. The regulation still recognizes older “cosmetologist or barber stylist” certificates, but there is one hairstylist trade today, and a barber cutting for pay is working in it.

Can an out-of-province barber work in Saskatchewan?

A Red Seal hairstylist endorsement is recognized, because hairstylist is a Red Seal trade in Saskatchewan. A barber with any other credential should contact SATCC before starting work, since section 28(4) applies from the first paid cut.

What else does a Saskatchewan barbershop need?

Section 28(11) is the owner’s rule: a certified journeyperson must be on duty whenever the shop is open to the public. Check business licensing and health requirements with your municipality as well.

Frequently asked questions

Is hairstylist a compulsory trade in Saskatchewan?

It is not on Saskatchewan’s Table 4 list of compulsory apprenticeship trades, but section 28(4) of the 2020 regulations still bars anyone from working in the hairstylist trade without a journeyperson or learner’s certificate.

Do you need a licence to be a barber in Saskatchewan?

Yes, in practice. A barber cutting hair for pay needs a hairstylist journeyperson certificate or a learner’s certificate from SATCC.

Does a Saskatchewan barbershop need a journeyperson on site?

Yes. Section 28(11) requires at least one hairstylist journeyperson on duty whenever the shop is open to the public.

How many apprentices can one journeyperson supervise in Saskatchewan?

Up to three apprentices per journeyperson in the hairstylist trade, under Table 6 of the regulations.

Sources
  1. The Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Regulations, 2020 (c. A-22.3 Reg 2) — Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
  2. Hairstylist trade page — Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
  3. Barber in Saskatchewan: job requirements — Job Bank, Government of Canada
  4. Hairstylist (NOC 63210) trade page — Red Seal Program

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