How do I become a licensed Barber?

Typically: complete the required pre-license education, pass a criminal background check, register with the exam vendor, pass the state exam, and pay the license fee. Exact requirements vary by state — see the table below for your state.

How hard is the Barber exam?

First-attempt pass rates vary by state (where published). The exam usually has a national portion and a state-specific portion, both of which you must pass. Study time and practice volume are the strongest predictors of passing.

Can my license transfer to another state?

Reciprocity varies by occupation and state. Some states honor licenses from listed states; others require additional exams or education. Check the reciprocity note for your state or contact both state boards.

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Barber — License Requirements by State

Provides hair cutting, shaving and grooming services. Separate state license from cosmetology.

51 of 51 states populated with official data (retrieved 2026-08-20).

State requirements lookup Study plan generator Pass rate index Prep budget

State	Education	Exam	Pass %	Fees	Retake	Reciprocity	Official
AL	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering ↗
AK	—	—	—	—	—	—	Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers ↗
AZ	—	—	—	—	—	—	Arizona State Board of Cosmetology — Barbering ↗
AR	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology — Barbering ↗
CA	1500 hrs	· $75	—	· Lic $50	—	—	California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology ↗
CO	—	—	—	—	—	—	Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure ↗
CT	1000 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Connecticut Department of Public Health — Barbering and Cosmetology ↗
DE	—	—	—	—	—	—	Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering ↗
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	DC Board of Cosmetology — Barbering ↗
FL	1200 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — Board of Barbering ↗
GA	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Georgia State Board of Barbering ↗
HI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Hawaii Board of Cosmetology — Barbering ↗
ID	—	—	—	—	—	—	Idaho Board of Occupational Licenses — Barbering ↗
IL	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Barber ↗
IN	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners ↗
IA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences — Barbering ↗
KS	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	—
KY	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
LA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology — Barbering ↗
ME	—	—	—	—	—	—	Maine Board of Barbering and Cosmetology ↗
MD	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Maryland Board of Barbers ↗
MA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering ↗
MI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing — Board of Barber Examiners ↗
MN	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Minnesota Board of Barber and Cosmetologist Examiners ↗
MS	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology — Barbering ↗
MO	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners ↗
MT	—	—	—	—	—	—	Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists ↗
NE	—	—	—	—	—	—	Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — Barbering ↗
NV	1000 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Nevada State Board of Cosmetology — Barbering ↗
NH	—	—	—	—	—	—	New Hampshire Board of Barbering and Cosmetology ↗
NJ	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling — Barbering ↗
NM	—	—	—	—	—	—	New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists ↗
NY	—	· $15	—	App $40 · Lic $40	—	—	New York Department of State — Barbering ↗
NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners — Barbering ↗
ND	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
OH	—	—	—	—	—	—	Ohio State Cosmetology Board — Barbering ↗
OK	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	—
OR	—	—	—	—	—	—	Oregon Board of Cosmetology — Barbering ↗
PA	1250 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners ↗
RI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Rhode Island Board of Hairdressers, Cosmetology and Barbering ↗
SC	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	South Carolina Board of Barbering ↗
SD	—	—	—	—	—	—	South Dakota Cosmetology Commission — Barbering ↗
TN	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners ↗
TX	—	—	—	App $50	—	—	Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) ↗
UT	—	—	—	—	—	—	Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Barber/Cosmetology ↗
VT	—	—	—	—	—	—	Vermont Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists ↗
VA	1500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology ↗
WA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Washington State Department of Licensing — Barbering ↗
WV	—	—	—	—	—	—	West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists ↗
WI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Barbering ↗
WY	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Data retrieved 2026-08-20 from state boards, PSI, Pearson VUE and CMS. Requirements change — verify with your state board before enrolling or paying. Dash (—) = not published / pending verification.

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