How to Become a Hairstylist in Nova Scotia
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Hairstylist is a compulsory trade in Nova Scotia. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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Show the source
“For the purposes of subsections 34(2) and (3) of the General Regulations, which require an apprentice or journeyperson to keep their identity card in their possession when practising the designated trade and produce it on request, a person is practising the hairstylist trade”
From novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/atqhairstylist.htm, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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The parties apply to the Director to have the apprenticeship agreement registered under the Act.
Source
“the parties or either of them applies to the Director in accordance with Section 11 of the General Regulations during the period from January 4, 2021, to April 2, 2021, to have the apprenticeship agreement registered under subsection 18(2) of the Act.”
novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/atqhairstylist.htm -
The apprentice completes 3600 documented hours combining practical experience and technical training in the trade.
Source
“3600 documented hours of the combination of practical experience and the portion of technical training spent learning the skills of the designated trade as described in clause 26(1A)(a) of the General Regulations and as approved by the Director”
novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/atqhairstylist.htm -
The apprentice completes the related technical training described in the General Regulations and approved by the Director.
Source
“related technical training as described in clause 26(1A)(b) of the General Regulations and as approved by the Director”
novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/atqhairstylist.htm -
The apprentice completes a certification examination as part of the term of apprenticeship.
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
A worker certified in another province or territory applies in Nova Scotia and is recognized as qualified and certified without further training or examinations.
Source
“any worker who is certified for an occupation in one province or territory is recognized as qualified and certified for that occupation as soon as they apply in any other province or territory, without having to take further training or examinations”
novascotia.ca/lae/RplLabourMobility/LM.asp
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“You will need to have your qualifications assessed if your occupation is regulated, and your training is from outside Canada.”
novascotia.ca/lae/RplLabourMobility/IQR.asp
Requirements
Experience
A person applying for a certificate of qualification through trade qualification who does not hold a certificate of apprenticeship must have 5400 hours of employment in the designated trade.
Source
“The period of employment in the designated trade that is required under paragraph 30(1)(a)(ii)(B) of the General Regulations for a person who does not hold a certificate of apprenticeship and is applying for a certificate of qualification in the hairstylist trade is 5400 hours.”
novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/atqhairstylist.htm
Other
Apprenticeship applicants must meet the eligibility requirements set out in Sections 7 and 8 of the General Regulations and satisfy the Director that they meet the requirements of these trade regulations.
Source
“the parties meet the eligibility requirements set out in Sections 7 and 8 of the General Regulations”
novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/atqhairstylist.htm
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
A worker certified for the occupation in one province or territory is recognized as qualified and certified in Nova Scotia when they apply, without further training or examinations. Source
“The purpose of Chapter 7 is to make sure that any worker who is certified for an occupation in one province or territory is recognized as qualified and certified for that occupation as soon as they apply in any other province or territory, without having to take further training or examinations.”
novascotia.ca/lae/RplLabourMobility/LM.asp
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association
Exams
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certification examination
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $19.00 | $25.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $15.00 | $19.88 | $30.00 | — |
Hairstylists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Hairstylist Trade Regulations - Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act (Nova Scotia) novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/atqhairstylist.htm · fetched October 9, 2026
- Labour Mobility | novascotia.ca novascotia.ca/lae/RplLabourMobility/LM.asp · fetched October 9, 2026
- International Qualifications Recognition | novascotia.ca novascotia.ca/lae/RplLabourMobility/IQR.asp · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a hairstylist in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Nova Scotia. Certification is managed by the Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association.
Which exams are required?
certification examination.
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