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Arkansas barber license — 1,500 training hours, exam details, fees ($125), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Most information on this page has been verified.
89% of data points are verified against official sources. 2 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
1,500 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$125
Gov. Fees
Not available
Apprenticeship
Annually (between July 1 and Sept 1)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16.5 years old
Education Level
8th grade or equivalent (12th grade for post-secondary route)
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Total Training Hours
1,500 hours
Barber school
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact the board
Curriculum Includes
Arkansas Barber Written Examination
Written and oral theory exam administered by the Board. $75 covers all exam components (written, oral, and practical).
Arkansas Barber Practical Examination
Practical demonstration of barbering skills.
Haircutting, shaving, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, hair coloring, permanent waving, chemical relaxing, scalp treatments, and facial treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee No separate application fee | N/A |
Exam Fee Covers written, oral, and practical exams combined | $75 |
License Fee Initial license fee | $50 |
Total Government Fees Exam ($75) + license ($50) | $125 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000-$15,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
Arkansas offers reciprocity for out-of-state barbers who hold a current, valid license and meet equivalent training requirements.
Additional Requirements: Reciprocity fee $150 (includes license fee through next renewal). Must provide license verification.
Arkansas maintains separate barber and cosmetology licenses under different boards (barbers under Dept. of Labor and Licensing, cosmetologists under Dept. of Health). Cosmetology crossover program: 100 hours initial study + 600 hours work-study under licensed barber.
Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
Annually (between July 1 and Sept 1)
Renewal Fee
$50
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$25
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $100 (Shop permit fee)
Barbershops must be separately licensed and pass health and safety inspections.
Arkansas is one of the states that does not offer an apprenticeship pathway for barber licensure - all training must be completed at a board-approved barber school. Programs must take at least 9 months to complete.
Arkansas is one of the few states with ANNUAL renewal (not biennial).
Renewal window: July 1 through September 1 each year.
Board does NOT provide study guides or content outlines for exams.
Barber technician certification available for students with 20+ working days of study.
Cosmetology crossover program: 100 hours initial study + 600 hours work-study under licensed barber.
If license expired 3+ years, must retake practical exam. Delinquency fee: $75/year.
Apprenticeship is NOT permitted — barber school is the only training pathway.
Separate board from cosmetology — barbers under Dept. of Labor and Licensing, cosmetologists under Dept. of Health.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Arkansas.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#18 of 36
Salary
#35 of 36
Cost
#5 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$23,420
25th percentile
Median
$24,700
-37% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$29,450
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
180 employed in this state
Note: BLS OEWS data reflects only base wages reported by employers. Barber income often includes tips and booth rental arrangements not captured in these figures.
Source: BLS OEWS – Barbers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+3,100
over 10 years
Annual Openings
8,400
per year (avg.)
76,000 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 56–91 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
1,500 hours required
Accessed 2026-03-09
Arkansas requires 1,500 hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.