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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
750–1,800
Training Hours Range
16
Have Master Barber
38
Allow Apprenticeship
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.
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) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $255 | 2 years (even-numbered years, birth month) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 1,650 | Yes | No | Yes | $420 | 2 years (expires Aug 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $220 | 2 years (expires on birthday) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $125 | Annually (between July 1 and Sept 1) | No | No | reciprocity | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | 1,000 | Yes | No | Yes | $125 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $155 | 2 years (expires March 31 of even-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 1,000 | Yes | No | Yes | $165 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$258 | 2 years (expires March 31 of even-numbered years) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $230 | 2 years (expires Sept 30 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 900 | Yes | No | No | $125–$150 | 2 years (by July 31 of even-numbered years) | Yes | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $177 | 2 years (expires Dec 31 of even-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $200 | 2 years (expires Dec 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | No | none | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 900 | Yes | Yes | No | $125 | Annual (based on original licensure date) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $128 | 2 years (expires July 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 1,500 | Yes | No | No | $99 | 4 years | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 1,550 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$72 | 2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years) | Yes | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 1,200 | 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 | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $400 | Annual (all barber licenses expire July 1) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $165–$240 | Annual (by birthday) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $61 | Annual (expires October 31) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $127 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$468 | 2 years (expires Dec 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $80+ | 2 years (expires September 30) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $133 | Annual (expires Dec 31) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $150 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $246 | 2 years (expires September 30, odd-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 1,100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $339 | 2 years (Jan 2 – Mar 1; late renewal through Apr 15) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | No | $270 | 2 years (expires June 30, even-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $200 | 2 years (expires May 1, even-numbered years) | No | No | none | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 800 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $247 | 2 years (odd-numbered years, by last day of birth month) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 900 | Yes | Yes | No | ~$155 | 2 years (even-numbered years, by last day of birth month) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $303 | 1 year (annual — expires on birthday) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Varies | Yes | Yes | Yes | $55 | 4 years | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 1,528 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$210–$295 | 1 year (annual — expires May 31) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 1,550 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $150+ | 1 year (annual — expires June 30/July 1) | Yes | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | No | ~$55 | 2 years (expires August 31, even-numbered years) | Yes | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $115 | 2 years (eff. Nov 2025; previously annual) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 786 | Yes | Yes | No | $200 | 2 years (expires last day of month, 2 years from issuance) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $170 | 2 years (expires April 30, even-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $100 | 2 years (expires September 30) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$200+ | 2 years | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $150 | Annual (expires June 30) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $200 | 2 years | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$183 | 2 years | Yes | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $234 | 2 years (expires September 30, odd-numbered years) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 750 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $130 | 2 years (September 30 of even-numbered years) | Yes | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 1,100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $299 | 2 years (by last day of month of issuance) | No | Yes | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $195 | 2 years | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $144 | 1 year (annual — expires January 1) | Yes | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $210 | 2 years (March 31 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | No | $185 | 1 year (annual) | No | No | endorsement | Mar 2026 |
Many states have crossover provisions between barber and cosmetology licenses. Compare both to find the best path for your career.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
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