Qualifications
There are no licensing requirements in the U.S. or Canada to be a farrier. Does that mean anyone can just start being a farrier then? Well, no, not exactly. There are training programs through colleges and organizations like The American Farriers Association (AFA) to give you the necessary skills.
The AFA certification process requires working at least part-time as an apprentice farrier. Costs for their programs vary, depending on where you work and any sponsorship you might get from your employer or local chapter of the AFA. Check out the AFA program here for details.
On the college tip, both Cornell University and Hocking University have farrier certificate programs, ranging in price from about $5200 to $7000.
Believe it or not, farriers need a little more than just good horse sense. They need great people skills, too. Farriers work for owners who've invested too many thousands of dollars in their horse. So, just as a horse requires special handling, ensuring owners that their four-legged friend (or moneymaker) is getting great care will also (read: definitely) require some finesse.