Access to the hairdressing profession

Are you thinking of starting a hairdressing business? Or are you planning to add this service to your catalogue? In this case, you need to prove that you have the skills to start up such a business. If you don't have a diploma or experience in this field, you can obtain a certificate by sitting the central jury exam.

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  • Which activities require professional skills in hairdressing?

    This includes haircuts, styling, lightening, colouring, highlights or balayage, perms, blow-dries, hairstyles or chignons, hair care and treatments. 

    If your project involves a new business, in addition to all these construction-specific skills, you'll also need to prove that you have basic management knowledge. 

    If in doubt, contact a Business Counter. They can advise you on your personal situation.

  • How can I prove my skills?

    Skills can be proven in two ways:

    • With an educational or training diploma;
    • With 2 years' full-time or 3 years' part-time professional experience within the last 15 years.

    If you don't have either, you can

    • take a free skills validation test (in a professional situation) at a validation centre. For more information, visit www.validationdescompetences.be.
    • Obtain a certificate by sitting the professional hairdressing skills exam (20301) before the central jury.

  • Frequently asked questions about access to the profession

    How do I know if my diploma grants me access to a profession?

    A database of diplomas, degrees and certificates from all over the world helps you determine whether your qualifications meet entrepreneurial requirements. You can look up your diploma to find out which activities it gives you access to. If in doubt, contact a business counter. The Central Jury Service is not able to validate your qualifications.

    See the DIPLO database

    Other than the company manager, who else can bring entrepreneurial skills to the business?

    For a self-employed person (natural person), this person can be:

    • A spouse;
    • A legal cohabitant;
    • A partner who has been cohabiting with the individual for at least 6 months;
    • A self-employed assistant, parent or relative up to the third degree;
    • An employee with a permanent employment contract.

    For a business (legal entity), this person can be:

    • The management body (e.g.: a manager of a limited liability company or a managing director of a public limited company);
    • A company director (e.g.: an active partner in a limited liability company or a director of a public limited company);
    • An employee with a permanent employment contract.

    If in doubt, contact a Business Counter. They'll be able to tell you if you have the required skills for your activity.

  • What skills are tested on the exam? What content does the exam cover?

    A good knowledge of: 

    • Hygiene measures; 
    • Scalp structure; 
    • Shape; 
    • Pigmentation; 
    • Hair behaviour; 
    • Allergies;
    • The use of chemicals normally applied in a hairdressing salon; 
    • Precautionary measures to be taken;

    The ability to apply all the usual techniques for men's and women's hairdressing.

  • How does the exam work? 

    The exam is a written questionnaire. 

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