Fly Ty
Master Barber & Instructor
Craft, discipline, and the business behind the chair.
Coming Fall 2026
Become abarber anda builder
An American Barbering Academy · Gastonia, NC
Learn to master your craft and build your business. Taught by those who have done both. Doors open Fall 2026.
Admissions reviews applications monthly.
What is Paramount Barber Academy?
Paramount Barber Academy is a barber school in Gastonia, North Carolina, opening Fall 2026. Students complete the 1,528 clock hours required by the NC Board of Barber Examiners in an 11–12 month full-time or 16–18 month part-time program that teaches cutting, shaving, guest service, and the business of running a chair.
The program
Three years of craft, taught in months.
A 1,528-hour course of study in the tonsorial arts: history and theory, the chair, and the business that keeps a shop alive.
01
Learn the basics
Cutting, clipper work, shaving, sanitation, and the state-board theory you need to sit the exam.
02
Hone your craft
Refine timing, technique, and guest service on a supervised clinic floor — real chairs, real people.
03
Build your business
Leadership, sales, and financial literacy so you leave ready to run a book, not just pass a test.
A first look inside Paramount
From the classroom to the chair, take a look at the spaces taking shape for our first cohort in Gastonia.
The faculty
The men behind the chair
Master barbers who built their careers behind the chair — now opening the doors for the next generation in Gastonia.
Justin Marlow
Master Barber & Instructor
From the shop floor to the front of the classroom.
“I learned more than just cutting hair. Not every barber school teaches you about business, entrepreneurship, and professionalism. I’m glad to have learned from one of the best in the industry.”
Questions, answered
How many hours do you need for barber school in North Carolina?
- North Carolina requires 1,528 clock hours with the NC Board of Barber Examiners before you can sit the licensing exam. Paramount Barber Academy’s program is built to those hours.
How long is barber school at Paramount?
- Full-time students finish in 11–12 months (Tuesday–Saturday, 8:45 AM–1:45 PM). Part-time students finish in 16–18 months (Thursday–Saturday, same hours).
How much does Paramount Barber Academy cost?
- $9,600 is your price after the $10,000 scholarship for the Fall 2026 inaugural cohort, made possible by generous contributions. It covers tuition, kit, books, application fee, and student permit. You can start with a $1,400 deposit. Federal financial aid is not currently accepted; customized payment plans and scholarships are available.
When does Paramount Barber Academy open?
- Doors open Fall 2026 in Gastonia, NC. Applications for the inaugural cohort are open now.
Where is Paramount Barber Academy located?
- The academy is in Gastonia, North Carolina, serving Gaston County and the Charlotte metro. Street address will be confirmed before the first cohort. Email info@paramountbarber.org or book a tour.
What do I need to apply?
- A completed application (start yours online), a valid photo ID, application and student permit fees, and a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must be at least 16.
Does tuition include the North Carolina state board exam?
- No. The NC State Board exam and licensure fee is $170, paid directly to the Board. After you complete hours and exit requirements, you receive a Permission to Work Affidavit so you can work under a registered barber while you wait for your exam date.
Last reviewed September 1, 2026
Fall 2026
The inaugural cohort is forming.
Applications are open now. Start yours today, or sit down with us for a private tour.