Who We Are

The Iowa Barber and Cosmetology School Association (IBCSA), founded in 1961, represents the licensed cosmetology schools in Iowa across both rural and urban settings. Each of our schools is nationally accredited and offers Title IV funding from the US Department of Education. Our schools employ over 250 people across the state, and our students account for approximately 80% of all cosmetology graduates in Iowa each year.

The purposes of this association shall be to promote the best interests of the barber and cosmetology profession, barber and cosmetology education, and the private barber and cosmetology schools; and to establish high ethical standards of barber and cosmetology-related organizations to promote barber and cosmetology professionalism.

At the Iowa Barber and Cosmetology School Association (IBCSA), we are dedicated to empowering the next generation of beauty professionals across Iowa. United by a commitment to excellence, we champion nationally accredited education and equitable access to opportunity—serving both rural and urban communities. Through advocacy, innovation, and unwavering support for our member schools and their teams, we strive to elevate the standards of our industry. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and launch confident graduates who will shape the future of cosmetology in Iowa and beyond.