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District of Columbia barber license — 1,500 training hours, exam details, fees ($230), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Most information on this page has been verified.
84% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 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
$230
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires Sept 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
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
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.
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
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.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires Sept 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
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#18 of 36
Salary
#1 of 36
Cost
#28 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$78,080
25th percentile
Median
$102,360
+163% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$103,390
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
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: DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 56–91 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology — 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
District of Columbia 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.