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Barber
Exam: Yes
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
1,250 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
~$258
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires March 31 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
10th grade or equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,250 hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
3,000 hours required
3,000 hours (18–36 month program under licensed barber). Hybrid pathway also available: 600 classroom hours + 1,500 apprenticeship hours (apprentice hours transfer at 2:1 ratio).
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact the board
Curriculum Includes
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Delaware Barber Theory Examination (NIC)
Written exam covering barbering theory and Delaware laws.
Delaware Barber Practical Examination (NIC)
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills. Held in Newark, DE. Results emailed within 1–2 business days.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 46/100
Study recommendation: Most candidates study 2–4 weeks
Practice with realistic exam questions
Barber State Board Exam
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Barber Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Haircutting, shaving, trimming beards, shampooing, styling, hair coloring, chemical treatments, scalp treatments, and facial treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee No separate application fee | N/A (exam application handled through Prometric; no separate DPR application fee listed) |
Exam Fee Combined theory + practical (PCS/NIC) | $218 |
License Fee Temporary license fee | $40 |
Total Government Fees Exam ($218) + temp license ($40) | ~$258 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000-$15,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Title: Master Barber
Additional Hours: 600 hours beyond base barber license
Requires barber license + additional 600-hour apprenticeship in chemical procedures. Master Barber can also get a skin and nails certification with 250 school hours or 500 apprenticeship hours.
Delaware allows out-of-state barbers to apply by endorsement with equivalent training.
Additional Requirements: License verification and proof of equivalent hours required.
Delaware maintains separate barber and cosmetology licenses under the same board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Delaware with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires March 31 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
Set per cycle (check current schedule)
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $121 (Establishment license fee)
Barbershops must be separately licensed and pass health/safety inspections.
Delaware offers both a school pathway (1,250 hours) and an apprenticeship pathway (3,000 hours), with the apprenticeship capped at 40 hours per week. Exams are administered by PCS rather than the more common PSI or NIC.
CRITICAL: Training hours are 1,250 per DE Code Title 24 Ch. 51, NOT 1,500. Some sources confuse with Master Barber total (1,850 = 1,250 + 600).
Delaware offers a Master Barber license — requires barber license + additional 600-hour apprenticeship in chemical procedures.
Master Barber can also get skin and nails certification with 250 school hours or 500 apprenticeship hours.
Hybrid pathway available: 600 classroom hours + 1,500 apprenticeship hours (2:1 ratio).
Theory exam scheduled through PSI (psiexams.com); practical exam date set by PCS.
Results emailed within 1–2 business days.
Exam retake fee: $145.
Barber Schools in Delaware
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware (you) | — | — | |
| Maryland | $127 | 46–76 wks | → |
| New Jersey | $110–$170 | 36–61 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $173 | 48–79 wks | → |
See how Delaware compares: Barber License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare barber requirements across all states →
Barber licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure barber is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Delaware compare to other states for barber? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your barber license →
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Delaware
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in Delaware verified against Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
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Accessed 2026-03-23
Official Delaware barber licensing authority
Accessed 2026-03-09
Moving to Delaware? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Delaware →
Transfer your Barber license from Delaware to: Maryland → | New Jersey → | Pennsylvania →