Apprenticeship | TooSharp Learning

What We Offer

The TooSharp apprenticeship is designed for barbers who are serious about their craft. Whether you're fresh out of barber school or a licensed barber looking to sharpen your skills, this program gives you hands-on mentorship, professional development, and a path toward building your own clientele.

Hands-on training alongside working barbers
Hours reported monthly to the Maryland Board of Barbers by a registered Master Barber sponsor
Client communication and retention coaching
Business fundamentals — pricing, scheduling, growth
Chair placement may be offered on completion, at our discretion and subject to availability

Maryland Barber Pathway

Maryland licenses barbers through either barber school or a registered apprenticeship in a permitted shop. Too Sharp, LLC is a permitted shop and Marc Dickens is a registered Master Barber sponsor, so the hours you work here are reported to the Board each month.

Barber licence — 1,200 hours in a Board-approved barber school, or 2,250 hours as a registered apprentice.
Barber-Stylist Limited licence — 900 school hours, or 1,650 apprentice hours.
Either route ends with a written and a practical exam set by the state.

Hour totals and exam requirements can change, so check the current figures with the Board before you commit to a route.

View current Maryland Board of Barbers requirements (opens in a new tab)

This is a general summary, not legal or licensing advice. Too Sharp, LLC does not control Board decisions and cannot guarantee licensure, exam results, or hour credit. Questions about your own eligibility go to the Board directly: barbers.cos@maryland.gov · 410-230-6190. Last checked: August 2026.

Who We Welcome

We work with candidates from a variety of backgrounds:

Barber School Graduates

Recently licensed or close to completion — ready to put theory into real-world practice.
Career Changers

Coming from another field and committed to building a professional barber career from the ground up.
Early-Career Barbers

Licensed but looking for mentorship, structure, and an environment that accelerates growth.

Apply Now

Before you apply

What we ask of you

We usually work with candidates 16 and over. If you're younger, get in touch and we'll talk through your options.
Our apprenticeship is built around roughly 30 hours a week of training and shop work, so you'll need to be able to commit to that schedule.

Steps you handle with the Board

Apply to the Maryland Board of Barbers for your apprentice permit. We sponsor you and report your hours each month.
Complete the Board orientation — you and your sponsor both need it before hours can be credited.

We sponsor a maximum of three apprentices at a time, so places are limited.

We use your answers to understand where you are in your training and whether this apprenticeship is the right fit. Nothing here commits you to anything.

After you submit, we'll review your information, follow up with any questions, and talk through next steps and timeline. You'll hear from us within two business days.

Full Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Experience Level

Where Are You Now?

Why Do You Want to Join?

Your Weekly Availability

I currently hold a valid barber license

Apprenticeship Opportunities

What We Offer

Maryland Barber Pathway

Who We Welcome

Barber School Graduates

Career Changers

Early-Career Barbers