Easiest States to Get a Barber License in 2026
The "easiest" state to get a barber license depends primarily on how many training hours the state requires. Fewer hours means less time in school and lower tuition costs. States range from 750 to 1,800 required hours -- a difference that can mean months of additional schooling and thousands of dollars in tuition.
This guide ranks all 51 states by accessibility, factoring in training hours, exam format, government fees, and whether an apprenticeship alternative exists. Data is pulled directly from our verified state databases.
What Makes a State "Easy"?
We rank states using a composite accessibility score that weighs these factors:
Training Hours (Primary)
The biggest factor. States requiring fewer hours let you start working sooner and spend less on tuition. The national median is 1,250 hours.
Exam Format
Most states require both a written and practical exam. 46 of 51 states require a practical exam. States without a practical exam have a simpler testing process.
Government Fees
Lower application, exam, and license fees reduce the upfront cost of entry. These are separate from education costs.
Apprenticeship Option
38 of 51 states offer an apprenticeship alternative, letting you earn while you learn instead of paying school tuition.
Key Statistics
750
Fewest Hours Required
1,800
Most Hours Required
1,250
Median Hours
38
States w/ Apprenticeship
Top 8 Easiest States for a Barber License
These states have the lowest barriers to entry based on our composite accessibility score:
New York
At just Varies required hours, New York is well below the national median of 1,250 hours. An apprenticeship alternative is available, which can eliminate tuition costs. Government fees of just $55 are among the lowest in the country.
Vermont
At just 750 required hours, Vermont is well below the national median of 1,250 hours. An apprenticeship alternative is available, which can eliminate tuition costs.
New Hampshire
At just 800 required hours, New Hampshire is well below the national median of 1,250 hours. An apprenticeship alternative is available, which can eliminate tuition costs.
Oregon
At just 786 required hours, Oregon is well below the national median of 1,250 hours.
Florida
At just 900 required hours, Florida is well below the national median of 1,250 hours.
California
California requires 1,000 hours, which is at or below the national median of 1,250 hours. An apprenticeship alternative is available, which can eliminate tuition costs.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires 1,000 hours, which is at or below the national median of 1,250 hours. An apprenticeship alternative is available, which can eliminate tuition costs.
Idaho
At just 900 required hours, Idaho is well below the national median of 1,250 hours.
Complete State Rankings by Training Hours
The table below ranks all 51 states from fewest to most required training hours. Click any state for the full requirements breakdown.
| Rank | State | Hours | Practical Exam | Apprenticeship | Gov't Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | Varies | Yes | Yes | $55 |
| 2 | Vermont | 750 | Yes | Yes | $130 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 800 | Yes | Yes | $247 |
| 4 | Oregon | 786 | Yes | No | $200 |
| 5 | Florida | 900 | No | No | $125–$150 |
| 6 | California | 1,000 | No | Yes | $125 |
| 7 | Connecticut | 1,000 | No | Yes | $165 |
| 8 | Idaho | 900 | Yes | No | $125 |
| 9 | New Jersey | 900 | Yes | No | ~$155 |
| 10 | Texas | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | ~$183 |
| 11 | Washington | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | $195 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | $210 |
| 13 | Utah | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | $234 |
| 14 | Missouri | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | $246 |
| 15 | Alabama | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | $255 |
| 16 | Wyoming | 1,000 | Yes | No | $185 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | ~$468 |
| 18 | Virginia | 1,100 | Yes | Yes | $299 |
| 19 | Maryland | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | $127 |
| 20 | Montana | 1,100 | Yes | Yes | $339 |
| 21 | West Virginia | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | $144 |
| 22 | Oklahoma | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | $115 |
| 23 | Arizona | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | $220 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | $170 |
| 25 | New Mexico | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | $303 |
| 26 | Delaware | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | ~$258 |
| 27 | Kansas | 1,200 | Yes | No | $235 |
| 28 | Maine | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $61 |
| 29 | Rhode Island | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $100 |
| 30 | Illinois | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $128 |
| 31 | South Dakota | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $150 |
| 32 | Louisiana | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $165–$240 |
| 33 | Iowa | 1,550 | Yes | Yes | ~$72 |
| 34 | Georgia | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $177 |
| 35 | Indiana | 1,500 | No | No | $99 |
| 36 | Hawaii | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $200 |
| 37 | Nevada | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $200 |
| 38 | South Carolina | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | ~$200+ |
| 39 | Tennessee | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $200 |
| 40 | District of Columbia | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $230 |
| 41 | North Dakota | 1,550 | Yes | Yes | $150+ |
| 42 | North Carolina | 1,528 | Yes | Yes | ~$210–$295 |
| 43 | Arkansas | 1,500 | Yes | No | $125 |
| 44 | Minnesota | 1,500 | Yes | No | $133 |
| 45 | Mississippi | 1,500 | Yes | No | $150 |
| 46 | Colorado | 1,500 | Yes | No | $155 |
| 47 | Kentucky | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | $400 |
| 48 | Alaska | 1,650 | No | Yes | $420 |
| 49 | Michigan | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | $80+ |
| 50 | Ohio | 1,800 | Yes | No | ~$55 |
| 51 | Nebraska | 1,800 | Yes | No | $270 |
States Grouped by Hour Requirements
Here is how states break down by training hour ranges:
Under 1,000 Hours (7 states)
These states have the lowest time commitment for barber licensing:
- New York -- Varies hours
- Vermont -- 750 hours
- New Hampshire -- 800 hours
- Oregon -- 786 hours
- Florida -- 900 hours
- Idaho -- 900 hours
- New Jersey -- 900 hours
1,000-1,200 Hours (17 states)
- California -- 1,000 hours
- Connecticut -- 1,000 hours
- Texas -- 1,000 hours
- Washington -- 1,000 hours
- Wisconsin -- 1,000 hours
- Utah -- 1,000 hours
- Missouri -- 1,000 hours
- Alabama -- 1,000 hours
- Wyoming -- 1,000 hours
- Massachusetts -- 1,000 hours
- Virginia -- 1,100 hours
- Maryland -- 1,200 hours
- Montana -- 1,100 hours
- West Virginia -- 1,200 hours
- Arizona -- 1,200 hours
- New Mexico -- 1,200 hours
- Kansas -- 1,200 hours
1,201-1,500 Hours (20 states)
- Oklahoma -- 1,250 hours
- Pennsylvania -- 1,250 hours
- Delaware -- 1,250 hours
- Maine -- 1,500 hours
- Rhode Island -- 1,500 hours
- Illinois -- 1,500 hours
- South Dakota -- 1,500 hours
- Louisiana -- 1,500 hours
- Georgia -- 1,500 hours
- Indiana -- 1,500 hours
- Hawaii -- 1,500 hours
- Nevada -- 1,500 hours
- South Carolina -- 1,500 hours
- Tennessee -- 1,500 hours
- District of Columbia -- 1,500 hours
- Arkansas -- 1,500 hours
- Minnesota -- 1,500 hours
- Mississippi -- 1,500 hours
- Colorado -- 1,500 hours
- Kentucky -- 1,500 hours
Over 1,500 Hours (7 states)
These states require the most training time:
- Iowa -- 1,550 hours
- North Dakota -- 1,550 hours
- North Carolina -- 1,528 hours
- Alaska -- 1,650 hours
- Michigan -- 1,800 hours
- Ohio -- 1,800 hours
- Nebraska -- 1,800 hours
States with Apprenticeship Alternatives
38 of 51 states offer an apprenticeship pathway as an alternative to formal barber school. Apprenticeships allow you to train under a licensed barber in a working shop, often earning income while learning. This eliminates or dramatically reduces the tuition cost.
- Alabama -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Alaska -- 1,650 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Arizona -- 1,200 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- California -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Connecticut -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Delaware -- 1,250 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- District of Columbia -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Georgia -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Hawaii -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Illinois -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Iowa -- 1,550 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Kentucky -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Louisiana -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Maine -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Maryland -- 1,200 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Massachusetts -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Michigan -- 1,800 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Missouri -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Montana -- 1,100 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Nevada -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- New Hampshire -- 800 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- New Mexico -- 1,200 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- New York -- Varies school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- North Carolina -- 1,528 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- North Dakota -- 1,550 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Oklahoma -- 1,250 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Pennsylvania -- 1,250 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Rhode Island -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- South Carolina -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- South Dakota -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Tennessee -- 1,500 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Texas -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Utah -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Vermont -- 750 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Virginia -- 1,100 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Washington -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- West Virginia -- 1,200 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
- Wisconsin -- 1,000 school hours (apprenticeship hours may differ)
What "Easy" Does Not Mean
A state with fewer required hours is not necessarily "better" for your barbering career. Consider these trade-offs:
- License portability: If you plan to work in a state requiring more hours, getting licensed in a low-hour state may create problems when transferring. Many states require you to have completed their minimum hours even when transferring by endorsement.
- Training depth: More hours means more practice with clippers, shears, and straight razors. Employers and clients value skill, and additional training time can make a real difference.
- Work where you live: You need a license in the state where you work. If you plan to work in a specific state, that state's requirements are what matter.
- Income potential: States with higher barriers may have less competition and higher average wages for barbers.
Tips for Choosing Where to Get Licensed
- Get licensed where you plan to work. The most practical approach is to get licensed in the state where you intend to build your clientele.
- Check reciprocity. If you might move, research whether your target states will accept an out-of-state barber license by endorsement.
- Factor in total costs. A state with fewer hours saves on tuition, but higher government fees or cost of living could offset that. See our barber license cost comparison for a full breakdown.
- Consider apprenticeship options. If paying for school is a barrier, the 38 states offering apprenticeships let you train while earning.
Next Steps
Click any state in the ranking table above to see its complete requirements. Also explore our other barber licensing guides:
- How to Become a Barber in 2026: Complete Licensing Guide
- Barber License Cost by State: Complete Breakdown
Sources
Training hour requirements, exam formats, and fee data are sourced from official state barber licensing boards. Accessibility rankings reflect the data in our database as of the verification dates listed on each state page.
- Individual state barber board websites (cited on each state page).
- PSI Services and Pearson VUE -- exam providers and fee schedules.
Data was last verified in February 2026. Requirements can change as states update their regulations. Always confirm current requirements with your state's barber board before enrolling in a program.
Barber Licensing — Quick Reference by State
Median salary, government licensing fees, and estimated timeline. Click any state for full details.
| State | Median Salary | License Fees | Timeline | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $36,590 | $125 | 11 mo | View → |
| Texas | $36,400 | $183 | 9 mo | View → |
| Florida | $46,900 | $152.5 | 8 mo | View → |
| New York | $32,050 | $70 | 6 mo | View → |
| Pennsylvania | $42,570 | $173 | 11 mo | View → |
| Illinois | $36,300 | $196 | 1.1 yr | View → |
| Ohio | $46,930 | $90 | 1.3 yr | View → |
| Georgia | $47,630 | $215 | 1.1 yr | View → |
| North Carolina | $64,290 | $125 | 1.1 yr | View → |
| Michigan | $29,390 | $166 | 1.3 yr | View → |
Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024. Fees & timelines: state licensing boards.
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