The American Board of Hair and Beauty Education Standards (ABOHBES) was founded to address the growing need for credible, consistent, and cutting-edge educational frameworks in the global hair and beauty industry. Since its inception, ABOHBES has evolved into a leading accrediting organization, bringing together academies, industry experts, and professionals from around the world. By offering robust accreditation standards, dynamic partnerships, and comprehensive support, ABOHBES ensures that institutions and individuals alike can achieve the highest levels of professionalism and innovation.
Our Role: ABOHBES serves as a trusted bridge between academic rigor and real-world industry demands. We collaborate with stakeholders—including educators, salons, government bodies, and NGOs—to ensure hair and beauty education remains industry-relevant, ethically grounded, and globally recognized.
At ABOHBES, integrity underpins all evaluations, communications, and accreditation decisions through honesty and transparency. Collaboration thrives as we join forces with academies, industry leaders, government bodies, and NGOs, leveraging collective expertise to drive meaningful change. Striving for excellence in every aspect of hair and beauty education, we set high standards from curriculum design to practical training. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that these opportunities remain accessible to everyone, removing barriers and embracing diversity. Through continuous improvement, guided by research, feedback, and global best practices, we keep our standards at the forefront of industry evolution.
A hallmark of ABOHBES’s credibility is our strong leadership structure and governance framework, which ensure that every decision is both ethically grounded and strategically aligned with our mission.
Through this tiered and collaborative governance model, ABOHBES remains adaptable yet consistent, ensuring our accreditation processes align with the highest ethical standards and global best practices.
ABOHBES’s global collaborations reflect our commitment to uniting regional expertise with international standards to create a worldwide ecosystem of excellence in hair and beauty education. By forming strategic alliances with organizations such as the All India Hair and Beauty Association (AIHBA) and the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS), we bridge local needs with global expectations—ultimately benefiting educators, professionals, and the industry at large.
A cornerstone of ABOHBES’s international outlook is our strategic partnership with the All India Hair and Beauty Association (AIHBA). This collaboration harnesses the strengths of both organizations, expanding professional opportunities for students, educators, and salon owners across borders.
Collaborative Programs
Joint initiatives—ranging from skill development workshops to advanced certification courses—equip the hair and beauty workforce with globally relevant expertise.
Mutual Recognition
By aligning AIHBA’s extensive regional experience with ABOHBES’s global standards, academies and individuals can achieve dual recognition, boosting career mobility and institutional credibility.
Empowerment & Outreach
Together, ABOHBES and AIHBA promote women’s entrepreneurship, health and wellness camps, and community-driven events that uplift underprivileged groups, reinforcing hair and beauty as a pathway to economic security and social empowerment.
Global Perspective: Through this alliance, we ensure that local practices benefit from international frameworks and that industry professionals gain exposure to cutting-edge methodologies, all while respecting cultural nuances and regional market needs.
Why NACCAS?
As a U.S.-based accrediting body, the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) sets recognized standards for quality career education.
Integration with NSQF
ABOHBES and AIHBA work together to align India’s National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) with NACCAS benchmarks. This harmonization helps academies expand their reach by offering credentials respected both regionally and globally.
Curriculum & Faculty Exchanges
Cross-border collaborations often include curriculum sharing, faculty development programs, and training workshops, ensuring that educators and students remain at the forefront of evolving industry trends.
Dual Recognition Opportunities
By aligning national systems like India’s NSQF with U.S.-based NACCAS standards, ABOHBES enables dual recognition that expands career mobility for professionals, enhances institutional credibility, and allows for smoother transitions in skill verification and ongoing development. These collaborations focus on inclusivity, entrepreneurship, and the sharing of innovative practices, ensuring hair and beauty education remains current and accessible. In fostering ethical, sustainable growth, ABOHBES ultimately creates a globally respected network of skilled graduates and empowered communities—embodying its vision of hair and beauty education defined by quality, integrity, and worldwide acclaim.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a formal recognition granted to academies and individuals who meet or exceed a set of quality standards in hair and beauty education. At ABOHBES, these standards align with national frameworks (like India’s NSQF) and international benchmarks (including those set by NACCAS). By accrediting institutions and professionals, ABOHBES ensures that the training and skills they provide or possess are both industry-relevant and globally recognized.
An ABOHBES-accredited institution or professional gains international credibility, opening doors to collaborative projects, job opportunities, and academic exchanges across borders. Through alliances with organizations such as the All India Hair and Beauty Association (AIHBA) and NACCAS, ABOHBES bring up a network that supports continuous improvement and ethical practice in the hair and beauty sector worldwide.
Benefits of Accreditation
Accreditation for Academies
Academies seeking ABOHBES accreditation must demonstrate curriculum alignment with recognized competencies (e.g., NSQF levels) and maintain qualified faculty, safe and well-equipped infrastructure, and established operational policies. Institutions should also exhibit a commitment to ongoing professional development for instructors and staff.
Following ABOHBES’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the accreditation process consists of several stages:
Once accredited, institutions undergo annual reviews and may be subject to periodic on-site visits to ensure compliance and consistent quality. These reviews focus on areas such as curriculum updates, faculty development, student feedback, and administrative procedures. Continuous engagement with ABOHBES promotes a high standard of education and industry relevance.
Accreditation for Professionals
Individual hair and beauty professionals—stylists, makeup artists, aestheticians, and more—seeking global recognition of their skills and competencies are encouraged to apply. This accreditation validates both theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise, enhancing an individual’s industry reputation and career prospects.
Similar to institutional accreditation, ABOHBES follows a structured SOP for professionals:
Accredited professionals gain enhanced credibility in the eyes of clients, employers, and peers. With an ABOHBES-endorsed skill set, they enjoy expanded career mobility, the potential for higher earnings, and opportunities to network with leading industry figures worldwide.
ABOHBES strongly advocates lifelong learning. Accredited professionals are encouraged to regularly enroll in industry workshops, seminars, and online training modules endorsed by ABOHBES. This approach keeps them current with emerging trends, new technologies, and best practices in hair and beauty care, reinforcing a culture of excellence and growth.
Through a transparent, rigorous, and globally recognized framework, ABOHBES accreditation ensures quality, innovation, and ethical practice in the hair and beauty industry. Whether you represent an academy aiming to bolster its curriculum or an individual professional seeking to enhance your credentials, ABOHBES offers the guidance, support, and recognition needed to thrive in a competitive global market.
ABOHBES strongly believes in making hair and beauty education accessible to individuals from all walks of life. Our skill development programs focus on providing subsidized or free training to underprivileged groups, helping them acquire in-demand skills that pave the way for stable employment. We collaborate with government schemes, such as Skill India, to reach a wider audience and enhance the quality of instruction. Through this inclusive approach, we empower communities to overcome socioeconomic barriers and contribute meaningfully to the hair and beauty sector.
Real-life stories from participants highlight the profound effect of our skill development programs. From single mothers who’ve launched successful home-based salons to underprivileged youth securing apprenticeships at renowned salons, each testimonial is a testament to the transformative power of education and opportunity. These narratives not only celebrate individual achievements but also reinforce ABOHBES’s commitment to sustainable change in the industry.
At ABOHBES, women’s empowerment is a central pillar of our mission. Through specialized workshops and training modules, we guide aspiring female entrepreneurs on the fundamentals of setting up a business, including financial planning, licensing requirements, and marketing strategies tailored to the hair and beauty industry. We also partner with microfinance institutions to provide feasible funding options for women-led enterprises, helping them turn their passion into thriving businesses.
Our empowerment programs go beyond theoretical learning. By connecting women professionals with industry leaders, we bring up a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaborative growth. ABOHBES’s mentorship initiatives allow seasoned experts to guide newcomers through business challenges and skill development, enabling participants to gain confidence, build lasting networks, and realize their full potential. Success stories from previous mentees demonstrate how the right guidance can spur rapid professional growth and community impact.
Maintaining good physical and mental health is essential for any professional, but it’s especially crucial in the fast-paced hair and beauty industry. ABOHBES partners with healthcare NGOs to organize comprehensive health check-ups, mental wellness sessions, and self-care awareness workshops for community members. These initiatives address not only the professionals’ well-being but also highlight the significance of holistic care in delivering top-notch services to clients.
Our mobile training units bring hair and beauty education directly to remote and underserved areas. Through beauty camps, residents can access free or low-cost services while learning about vocational opportunities in the sector. This approach not only contributes to local economic growth but also promotes essential hygiene practices, fueling a positive cycle of health, empowerment, and professional development.
To recognize exceptional contributions to the hair and beauty industry, ABOHBES hosts an annual awards ceremony celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and dedication to excellence. With categories that honor outstanding academies, trainers, entrepreneurs, and professionals, these awards spotlight the industry’s finest while inspiring others to aspire to higher standards.
Nominees are evaluated based on industry impact, commitment to continuous learning, entrepreneurial spirit, and community outreach endeavors. Submissions must include evidence of professional achievements, client testimonials, and references. An independent jury of hair and beauty experts, educators, and industry stakeholders reviews each entry, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. Winners not only gain prestige but also reinforce ABOHBES’s core values of integrity, excellence, and community upliftment.
Through these diverse initiatives and activities, ABOHBES remains dedicated to empowering individuals, uplifting communities, and setting new industry benchmarks. Whether it’s offering skill development programs, guiding women entrepreneurs, promoting health and wellness, or celebrating excellence through awards, our efforts collectively strengthen the global hair and beauty sector—one individual, academy, and community at a time.