Hairstylist
A Hairstylist performs a range of hairstyling services including cutting, designing colouring, permanent waving, relaxing and straightening. Specifically, a Hairstylist:
- performs health, safety and sanitization procedures
- performs routine salon functions and service fundamentals
- treats scalp and hair
- cuts and styles hair
- performs chemical treatments such as waving, relaxing, and straightening
- performs colour services
- works with wigs, hairpieces and extensions
Red Seal trade
Hairstylist is an Interprovincial Red Seal trade, but Ontario does not currently offer a Red Seal Endorsement. Candidates who complete the requirements of the Ontario Hairstylist apprenticeship program or qualify through our Trade Equivalency Assessment program and successfully challenge the Certification of Qualification exam, will receive a provincial Certificate of Qualification only.
Apprenticeship Resources
Apprenticeship Training Standard (PDF) Curriculum Training Standard – Level 1&2 (PDF) Trade ReportAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Hairstylist is 3,500 hours (approximately two years) consisting of 3,020 hours of on-thejob work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.
As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.
IN-SCHOOL TRAINING
A Hairstylist apprenticeship includes two levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:
- applied health and safety procedures
- treatment of hair and scalp
- salon functions
- cutting and styling hair
- chemical waving and relaxing of hair
- colouring and lightening hair
Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:
- block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
- day release (one day per week from September to June)
- part-time (night-school programs)
- alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)
Hairstylist is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.
This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the Ministry issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
This trade has a certifying exam. Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.
Hairstylist is a compulsory trade in Ontario. To legally practice this trade, you need to:
- Hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification
- Appear on Skilled Trades Ontario’s Public Register
- Renew your Certificate of Qualification annually.