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LicenseReq

Barber License Requirements by State

Barber licensing follows a near-universal pattern: graduation from a state-approved barber school (usually 1,500 clock hours), passage of a written and practical state exam, and regular renewal. Barbers are regulated by dedicated barber boards or combined barber-and-cosmetology boards in every state. The exact hours, fees and exams are set by each state's board - here is the state-by-state breakdown, sourced from official licensing authorities.

Last updated August 7, 2026. Licensing rules change - confirm with the official board before applying.

National exam basics

The written portion is often the NIR/National-Interstate Council exam, with the practical administered by the state board.

Barber License requirements by state

Alabama1500 hours of approved barber schoolAlaska1500 hours of approved barber schoolArizona1500 hours of approved barber schoolArkansas1500 hours of approved barber schoolCalifornia1500 hours of approved barber schoolColorado1500 hours of approved barber schoolConnecticut1500 hours of approved barber schoolDelaware1500 hours of approved barber schoolDistrict of Columbia1500 hours of approved barber schoolFlorida1200 hours of approved barber schoolGeorgia1500 hours of approved barber schoolHawaii1500 hours of approved barber schoolIdaho1500 hours of approved barber schoolIllinois1500 hours of approved barber schoolIndiana1500 hours of approved barber schoolIowa1500 hours of approved barber schoolKansas1500 hours of approved barber schoolKentucky1500 hours of approved barber schoolLouisiana1500 hours of approved barber schoolMaine1500 hours of approved barber schoolMaryland1500 hours of approved barber schoolMassachusetts1000 hours of approved barber schoolMichigan1500 hours of approved barber schoolMinnesota1500 hours of approved barber schoolMississippi1500 hours of approved barber schoolMissouri1500 hours of approved barber schoolMontana1500 hours of approved barber schoolNebraska1500 hours of approved barber schoolNevada1200 hours of approved barber schoolNew Hampshire1500 hours of approved barber schoolNew Jersey1500 hours of approved barber schoolNew Mexico1600 hours of approved barber schoolNew York1000 hours of approved barber schoolNorth Carolina1528 hours of approved barber schoolNorth Dakota1800 hours of approved barber schoolOhio1800 hours of approved barber schoolOklahoma1500 hours of approved barber schoolOregon1500 hours of approved barber schoolPennsylvania1250 hours of approved barber schoolRhode Island1500 hours of approved barber schoolSouth Carolina1500 hours of approved barber schoolSouth Dakota1500 hours of approved barber schoolTennessee1500 hours of approved barber schoolTexas1000 hours of approved barber schoolUtah1500 hours of approved barber schoolVermont1500 hours of approved barber schoolVirginia1500 hours of approved barber schoolWashington1000 hours of approved barber schoolWest Virginia1800 hours of approved barber schoolWisconsin1500 hours of approved barber schoolWyoming1500 hours of approved barber school

FAQ

How many barber school hours do I need?

Most states require 1,500 clock hours of barber education, ranging from roughly 1,000 to 2,100 hours depending on the state.

What does the barber exam include?

The written portion covers sanitation, chemical services, and scalp treatment, and the practical portion requires demonstrating shaves, haircuts, and styling on a mannequin or live model.

Can I move my barber license to another state?

Most states grant reciprocity when your education meets the new state's hour requirement and curriculum is substantially similar, sometimes with a state-specific written exam.

Do barber licenses expire?

Yes, barber licenses renew on 1-2 year cycles, with continuing education of 4-16 hours per cycle in some states and no CE requirement in others.