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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.
1,500 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$230
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years; all barber licenses expire September 30 of odd-numbered years
Renewal Cycle
6 hrs
CE Required
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education Level
High school diploma or GED
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
1,500 hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,000 hours required
Classroom training per §3704.5 + work experience, 20+ hrs/week, 1–2 years. Total 2,000 hours.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact the board
Curriculum Includes
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District of Columbia Barber Written Examination
Written exam covering barbering theory and District of Columbia laws.
District of Columbia Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills. Held at Bennett Career Institute, 700 Monroe St NE, DC 20017.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 37/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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 Application fee | $65 |
Exam Fee Examination fee | $55 |
License Fee Initial license fee | $110 |
Total Government Fees Exam ($55) + application ($65) + license ($110) | $230 |
Barber School Tuition: $8,000-$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
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Title: Barber Manager
Barber Manager requires: 2,000 hrs training + 6 months experience, OR 1,500 hrs + 2 years experience, OR barber license + 500 additional hours.
DC allows out-of-state barbers to apply by endorsement with equivalent training and a current valid license.
Additional Requirements: License verification and proof of equivalent training required.
Cosmetologist-to-barber crossover: only need 500 additional hours if already hold DC cosmetology license.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare District of Columbia with other states →
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Initial License Term
2 years (all barber licenses expire September 30 of odd-numbered years regardless of issuance date)
Renewal Cycle
2 years; all barber licenses expire September 30 of odd-numbered years
Renewal Fee
$115
Continuing Education
6 hours — 6 CE hours per renewal cycle: 2 hours sanitation/hygiene + 4 hours elective. First-time renewals are exempt.
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $130 (Establishment license fee)
Barbershops must be separately licensed and pass health/safety inspections.
DC is one of the few jurisdictions that requires continuing education (6 hours per renewal) for barbers. The combined apprenticeship pathway requires both school attendance (500 hours) and supervised practice (1,500 hours).
DC is one of the FEW jurisdictions with a minimum age of 18 (most states are 16–17).
DC DOES require continuing education — 6 hours per renewal cycle (2 hrs sanitation/hygiene + 4 hrs elective). First-time renewals are exempt.
Barber Manager license requires additional qualifications beyond standard barber license.
Cosmetologist-to-barber crossover: only need 500 additional hours if already hold DC cosmetology license.
Exam applications must be notarized and include two passport-size photos.
All fees payable to Pearson VUE or DC Treasurer.
Barber Schools in District of Columbia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia
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Barber requirements in District of Columbia verified against District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Moving to District of Columbia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to District of Columbia →
Transfer your Barber license from District of Columbia to: Maryland → | Virginia →