The State of Alaska boasts 11 hairdressing design schools and over 150 salons which range from stop-in shops for an inexpensive cut to full service upscale day spas. Anchorage has 5 of the design schools within its city limits, and over 50 salons. Fairbanks has 3 design schools and more than 20 salons.
Licensing fees in Alaska have an initial fee of $135 with a $135 biennial renewal fee. A license for hairdressing in Alaska includes limited esthetics, manicuring, and pedicuring, and requires 1650 hours of experience. A barber’s license requires the same number of hours, but does not include the esthetics, manicuring, or pedicuring. In terms of reciprocity, an applicant from another state may get credit for 500 hours for every year worked, but must show either credit or proof of 1650 hours. Continuing education is not required in order to be licensed in Alaska.
The cost of tuition varies depending on the hairdressing school but in Alaska tuition can run between $3,000 to $5,000, and is typically two or three year long process. In more populous states, the same tuition would be two or three times the cost. Financial aide is typically available at any design school that is an accredited institution. Scholarships, grants, and loans are also occasionally available at non-accredited hairdressing schools, based on availability and need. In choosing a hairdresser school it is always wise to choose not simply on the availability of financial assistance, but also on the percentage of graduates who successfully pass the state licensing exam, and percentage of graduates who are successfully placed in a job after graduation.
In the three largest cities, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, salaries run between $18,000 and $39,000, with most hairdressers making $27,000 a year.
For more information on licensure in Alaska:
Alaska Division of Professional Licensing
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806
(907) 465-2550
http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pbah.htm
Alaska Hair Schools by City
Anchorage
Academy of Hair Design
113 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
http://www.ahdalaska.com/
Advanced Training Center
401 W. Intl Airport Rd. #1C.
Anchorage, AK 99518
http://www.metroasisatc.com/
Trend Setters
407 E. Northern Lights
Anchorage, AK 99503
http://www.trendsettersak.com/