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Barber
Compare training hours, exam requirements, government fees, master barber tiers, and cosmetology crossover rules to get your barber license in every US state. Every data point sourced and verified against official state boards.
51
States Verified
1–1,800
Training Hours Range
16
Have Master Barber
38
Allow Apprenticeship
Not sure which license is right for you?
Take the 2-Minute Career Quiz →A licensed barber can perform haircutting, shaving, beard trimming, and styling. Many states also allow coloring and chemical services. Requirements vary significantly by state.
States require anywhere from 600 to 2,100 hours of barber school training. Some states also offer apprenticeship alternatives with higher hour requirements.
Barbers specialize in men's hair services and shaving, while cosmetologists cover a broader range of beauty services. Many states have crossover provisions between the two licenses.
Several states offer advanced master barber credentials for chemical services. Nearly all states require a separate establishment license to operate a barbershop.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Hours | Written | Practical | Apprentice | Gov. Fees | Renewal | CE Req. | Master | Reciprocity | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $255.00 ($75 written + $130 practical + $50 original license) | 2 years; barbers renew in even-numbered years during birth month | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 1,650 | Yes | No | Yes | $420 | 2 years (expires Aug 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $220 | 2 years (expires on birthday) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 1 | Yes | Yes | No | $125.00 ($75 exam + $50 license fee) | Yearly between July 1 and September 1 | No | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| California(CA) | 1,000 | Yes | No | Yes | $125 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $155 | Barber licenses expire March 31 of even-numbered years | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 1,000 | Yes | No | Yes | $165 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$258 | 2 years (expires March 31 of even-numbered years) | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $230 | 2 years; all barber licenses expire September 30 of odd-numbered years | Yes | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 900 | Yes | No | No | $125–$150 | 2 years; licenses expire July 31st every even year | Yes | No | Endorsement (by state or out-of-country); also by examination based on out-of-state/out-of-country license | April 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $177 | 2 years (expires Dec 31 of even-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $200 | Renew by December 31 of every odd-numbered year | No | No | none | April 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 900 | Yes | Yes | No | $125 | Annual (based on original licensure date) | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $128 | 2 years (expires July 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 1,500 | Yes | No | No | $99 | 4 years | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 1,550 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$72 | 2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years) | Yes | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 1 | Yes | Yes | No | $235 | Annual (quarter depends on last name initial: A-C,M-O = Q1; D-F,P-R = Q2; G-I,S-U = Q3; J-L,V-Z = Q4) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $400 | Annual, expiring July 1 | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $165–$240 | Annual (by birthday) | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $61 | Annually October 31st | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $127 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$468 | 2 years (expires Dec 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $80+ | 2 years (expires September 30) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $133 | Annual (expires December 31) | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $150 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $246 | 2 years (expires September 30, odd-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 1,100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $339 | Biennial; Regular renewal: Jan 2 – Mar 1; Late renewal online for 45 days until April 15 | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | No | $270 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $200 | 2 years (expires May 1, even-numbered years) | No | No | none | April 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 800 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $247 | 2 years (odd-numbered years, by last day of birth month) | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 900 | Yes | Yes | No | ~$155 | 2 years (even-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $303 | Annual renewal; licenses renew in birthday month | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Varies | Yes | Yes | Yes | $55 | 4 years | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 1,528 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$210–$295 | 1 year (annual — expires May 31) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 1,550 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $150+ | 1 year (annual — expires June 30/July 1) | Yes | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 1 | Yes | Yes | No | ~$55 | 2 years; barber licenses renew by August 31 of even-numbered years | Yes | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $115 ($80 application/license + $35 exam fee) | 2 years (eff. Nov 2025; previously annual) | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 786 | Yes | Yes | No | $200 | 2 years (inactive date is the last day of the month, two years from the date of issuance) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $170 | 2 years (expires April 30, even-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $100 | 2 years (expires September 30) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$200+ | 2 years | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $150 | Annual (expires June 30) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $200 | 2 years | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$183 | 2 years | Yes | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $234 | 2 years (expires September 30, odd-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 750 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $130 | Up to 2 years per OPR schedule | Yes | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 1,100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $299 | 2 years (by last day of month of issuance) | No | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $195 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $144 | Annual, due January 1st | Yes | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $210 | 2 years (March 31 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | No | $185 | 1 year (annual) | No | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
Many states have crossover provisions between barber and cosmetology licenses. Compare both to find the best path for your career.
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Barber licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements
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