Career-Long Shear Mastery
Map every stage of your shear education—from licensure to elite mastery.
Scissorpedia curates accredited schools, manufacturer intensives, independent educators, and sharpening guild partners so U.S. stylists, barbers, and educators can design a resilient education roadmap.
- 12 Providers cataloged
- 28 Curriculum modules mapped
- 3 States with CE coverage
- 10 Upcoming events & cohorts
Photo: Thomas Lee via Unsplash
- For the latest licensing or curriculum details, consult your local government licensing board and the provider's official website.
- Scissorpedia is an independent reference resource; we do not advertise or promote any specific education company and are not affiliated with those listed.
- All information compiled here is sourced from public records and may change without prior notice.
Tiered navigation for shear-focused education
Choose a pathway, compare leading providers, and jump directly into detailed landing pages or data dashboards.
Top U.S. Academies
Licensure-track cosmetology hubs with rigorous shear labs. brand-education
- Years active
- 1977-present
- Locations / delivery
- 14 campus touchpoints
- Credential focus
- Cosmetology Diploma (Diploma; state licensure eligible)
- Typical tuition / cost
- Varies by campus; request catalog PDFs for precise tuition, fees, and kit costs. · Tuition varies by campus; financial aid, scholarships, and military benefits promoted across the network. · Tuition varies by program: cosmetology diploma approx. $25,000-$27,000; advanced 5-day courses $1,800-$2,500. Confirm via current catalog. · Cosmetology diploma approx. $24,000-$26,000; barbering diploma approx. $19,000-$21,000 plus kit fees. Verify via current catalog schedule. · Tuition varies by campus ($18,000-$24,000) plus kit fees; consult campus-specific tuition addendum.
- Application rhythm
- Rolling admissions with monthly or quarterly start dates depending on campus. · Rolling cohorts with multiple start dates per year; request campus calendars for exact openings. · Cosmetology cohorts launch quarterly; advanced courses open rolling enrollment with 6-9 month scheduling horizon. · Rolling class starts every 8-10 weeks; evening cohorts available twice per year. · Rolling admissions with daytime and evening cohorts; frequent start dates tied to campus calendars.
| Provider | Flagship module | Hours | Tool focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes | Cosmetology Diploma | 1500 | Aveda shear and tool orientation |
| Empire Beauty Schools | Cosmetology Program | 1200-1600 | Redken Cutting & Finishing Labs |
| Paul Mitchell Schools | Cosmetology Program | 1500 | Paul Mitchell tool and product integration labs |
Planning kits, timelines, and educator workflows
Stack delivery modes—core licensure, brand certification, maintenance labs, and CE renewals—to keep shears sharp and skills current.
Annual shear education cadence
- Quarterly: Technique clinic or tool-specific intensive (Hanzo, Mizutani, Sam Villa).
- Biannually: Sharpening lab with guild-certified partner plus ergonomics audit.
- Annually: Multi-day academy or conference to reset cutting repertoire and network.
- Monthly: Virtual microlearning sprints and peer practice circles.
Admissions & budgeting checklist
- Confirm state hour requirements and CE regulations through your board.
- Build a 12-month tuition + travel budget; earmark kit upgrades and sharpening fees.
- Document required credentials (GED, license copy, liability insurance) for each provider.
- Secure financing or brand scholarships before application windows open.
Tool education lab blueprint
Create a recurring maintenance station covering anatomy, tension adjustment, lubrication, edge inspection, and partner agreements with sharpeners.
- Integrate shear specification flashcards (blade profile, steel grade, handle set).
- Schedule quarterly edge health checks with documented before/after photos.
- Require students to log tension tests using a standardized checklist.
Curriculum snapshots and module mapping
Preview core shear modules, learning objectives, and assessment formats before diving into provider detail pages.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes
Multi-campus (17 U.S. markets)
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Cosmetology Foundations: Shear Control & Guest Care
Level: Beginner · Hours: TBD
Learning objectives: Demonstrate safe shear handling and tension control.; Lead client rituals aligned with Aveda service standards.; Integrate sanitation and ergonomics checkpoints.
Techniques: shear-over-comb, blunt-cutting
Shears: 5.5-inch convex shear, 30-tooth blending shear
Assessment: practical check
Hattori Hanzo Education
Nationwide workshop tour + virtual
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Hanzo Dry Cutting Intensive
Level: Intermediate · Hours: 4
Learning objectives: Execute dry-cutting foundations with convex shears.; Align blade geometry with texture goals.; Reduce fatigue via ergonomic positioning.
Techniques: dry-cutting, slide-cutting
Shears: Hanzo HH6 Kime 6.0-inch shear, Hanzo HH314 swivel shear
Assessment: live demo evaluation
Paul Mitchell Schools
Nationwide franchise campuses
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Core Phase — Foundations of Paul Mitchell Cosmetology
Level: Beginner · Hours: 300
Learning objectives: Grasp cutting, color, and texture fundamentals using Paul Mitchell methodology.; Uphold sanitation standards and tool maintenance protocols.; Translate consultations into service blueprints.
Techniques: blunt-cutting, shear-over-comb
Shears: Paul Mitchell 5.5-inch convex shear, 30-tooth texturizer
Assessment: practical check
BTC University
Virtual platform (Chicago HQ)
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BTC Live Lab — Modern Bob Breakdown
Level: Intermediate · Hours: 1.5
Learning objectives: Execute precision bob methodology from live demo.; Apply ARC™ shear techniques for tailoring.; Convert livestream notes into salon-ready steps.
Techniques: blunt-cutting, detail refinements
Shears: ARC™ Phantom 5.5 shear, Detailing shear 5.0
Assessment: self recorded submission
Hairbrained Education
Virtual network (New York HQ)
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Hairbrained Razor Fundamentals Series
Level: Intermediate · Hours: 2
Learning objectives: Control razor strokes for texture creation.; Blend shear and razor work for lived-in shapes.; Maintain tools per Hairbrained protocols.
Techniques: razor-cutting, texture-blending
Shears: Hairbrained Pro razor, 6.0-inch refinement shear
Assessment: practice journal
Source log & verification queue
Cross-check every claim with at least two references. Items flagged “needs-secondary” require additional validation.
Provider verification status
- Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes needs secondary Add campus catalogs or NACCAS directory entries to validate accreditation, tuition, and CE credit data.
- Hattori Hanzo Education needs secondary Add CE approval documents and pricing breakdowns from regional event pages.
- Paul Mitchell Schools needs secondary Capture campus catalogs for tuition/hour verification, document CE approvals, and add franchise-specific accreditation certificates.
- Sassoon Academy USA needs secondary Add California Board license lookup, tuition tables, and CE approval documentation. Confirm Creative Director prerequisites with admissions team.
- Pivot Point Academy needs secondary Upload latest catalog tuition tables, confirm LAB digital badge hours, and append NACCAS accreditation letter.
- Empire Beauty Schools needs secondary Attach campus-specific tuition tables, CE approval documents, and NACCAS verification per location. Confirm educator program availability by state.
- Mizutani USA Education needs secondary Confirm CE approvals, update contact phone with official listing, and attach live event pricing screenshots for audit.
- Sam Villa LIVE Education needs secondary Document CE approvals, confirm tuition tiers, and replace TODO contact phone with official listing.
- Kasho Academy USA needs secondary Validate tuition ranges, confirm CE approvals, add sharpening accreditation roster, and replace TODO phone with official contact number.
- Scissorpedia CE Planning Toolkit drafting Populate with links to official state resources and CE partners; replace TODO sources.
- BTC University needs secondary Confirm subscription pricing, CE approvals, and educator roster sourcing.
- Hairbrained Education needs secondary Add pricing confirmation, detailed syllabus links, and CE approvals.
Source appendix
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Cosmetology School at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes — Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes
Page outlines cosmetology curriculum overview, campus network, and admissions resources.
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Aveda — Wikipedia
Provides company history and Aveda Institute background. Verify claims against primary sources before final publication.
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Hanzo Education | Class Search — Hattori Hanzo Shears
Details Hanzo Education class calendar, instructor roster, and workshop filters.
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Paul Mitchell Beauty School & Training | Paul Mitchell — Paul Mitchell Schools
Landing page outlining programs, locations, admissions resources, and funding links; captured via r.jina.ai proxy due to access restrictions.
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Cosmetology School | Paul Mitchell Cosmetology Programs — Paul Mitchell Schools
Details program structure (Core, Adaptive, Creative levels), technical focus areas, and admission guidance; accessed through r.jina.ai mirror.
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BTC University Co-Lab Overview — BehindTheChair.com
Outlines BTC University streaming offerings, educator roster, and event integrations; captured via r.jina.ai proxy due to origin blocking.
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Hairbrained Education Subscription Overview — Hairbrained
Highlights Hairbrained education subscription, tool integration, and events portal; accessed via r.jina.ai.
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Sassoon Academy USA — Cosmetology & Advanced Education — Sassoon Academy USA
Provides overview of Los Angeles and Santa Monica academy programs, course structures, and admissions contact details.
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Sassoon Academy USA Course Catalog 2025 — Sassoon Academy USA
Catalog outlining cosmetology diploma hours, advanced creative courses, tool kits, and tuition guidance for U.S. academies.
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Pivot Point Academy — Programs & Admissions — Pivot Point Academy
Provides cosmetology, barbering, esthetics program overviews, admissions steps, and campus information for the Bloomingdale, IL academy.
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Pivot Point Academy Student Catalog 2025 — Pivot Point Academy
Catalog detailing program hours, tuition, tool kits, accreditation statuses, and policies for Pivot Point Academy.
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Empire Beauty School Programs & Locations — Empire Education Group
Provides national campus directory, program overviews, admissions requirements, and tuition planning resources for Empire Beauty Schools.
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Empire Beauty School Course Catalog 2025 — Empire Education Group
Catalog detailing program hours, tuition ranges, accreditation, and kit requirements across Empire campus network.
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Mizutani USA Education & Workshops — Mizutani USA
Outlines Mizutani shear education philosophy, workshop calendar, educator roster, and tool maintenance initiatives across the U.S.
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Mizutani USA Roadshow Schedule 2025 — Mizutani USA
Provides multi-city workshop listings, sharpening lab integration, and registration details for Mizutani USA pop-up education.
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Sam Villa Education — LIVE & Digital — Sam Villa Professional
Details Sam Villa live tour schedule, virtual classrooms, tool integration, and educator roster.
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Sam Villa Tour & Workshop Calendar 2025 — Sam Villa Professional
Lists upcoming tour stops, online summits, pricing, and CE eligibility notes for select states.
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Kasho Academy USA — Education Overview — Kasho Shears USA
Covers Kasho Academy curriculum, instructor roster, tool integration, and certification pathways in the United States.
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Kasho Education Tour & Certification Schedule 2025 — Kasho Shears USA
Provides multi-city workshop listings, certification requirements, tuition, and sharpening partner details.
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Texas Cosmetology Continuing Education — Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
Official TDLR page outlining cosmetology CE requirements, hour totals, and approved provider obligations.
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Barber Continuing Education Requirements — Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
TDLR guidance covering barber CE hour breakdown, delivery modes, and compliance expectations.
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Cosmetology License Renewal Requirements — Florida Board of Cosmetology (DBPR)
Lists Florida CE hour requirements, mandatory topics (HIV/AIDS, sanitation, laws), and approved provider expectations.
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Approved CE Provider Search — Cosmetology — Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Official DBPR lookup tool for verifying cosmetology CE providers and approval numbers.
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Cosmetology Continuing Education Requirements — Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
IDFPR overview of cosmetology and barber CE requirements, renewal cadence, and approved delivery modes.
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Illinois Administrative Code 68-1175 — Cosmetology Continuing Education — Illinois General Assembly
Statutory rule detailing CE hour distribution, content requirements, and provider responsibilities for license renewal.
Next Up
Draft provider detail templates, expand category landing pages (academies, brand education, sharpening), and ingest campus-level catalogs for tuition and accreditation proof.