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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board, under the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
900 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$125
Gov. Fees
Not available
Apprenticeship
Annual (based on original licensure date)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16.5 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
900 hours
Barber school
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact the board
Curriculum Includes
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Idaho Barber Written Examination (NIC)
Written exam covering barbering theory and Idaho laws.
Idaho Barber Practical Examination (NIC)
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 35/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Barber State Board Exam
Browse study guides
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, scalp treatments, and facial treatments for compensation. Does not include chemical services (those require a barber-stylist license).
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application + original license | $50 |
Exam Fee Exam fee (barber) | $75 |
License Fee Initial license fee | Included in $50 application |
Total Government Fees Exam ($75) + application/license ($50) | $125 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000-$12,000
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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Title: Barber-Stylist
Additional Hours: 600 hours beyond base barber license
Barber-Stylist license: 1,500 hours (includes chemical services like coloring, perms, relaxers). This is 600 additional hours beyond the basic 900-hour Barber license.
Endorsement fee $80 for barbers ($100 for cosmetology). Requires active license for 3 of last 5 years, or 1 year of work experience in last 3 years. Work experience credits: 200 hours per year of practice.
Additional Requirements: License verification and proof of equivalent hours required.
Cosmetologist-to-barber crossover: 100 additional hours of barber instruction.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Idaho with other states →
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Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
Annual (based on original licensure date)
Renewal Fee
$25/year
Continuing Education
Not required
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $40 (Shop license fee)
Barbershops must be separately licensed and pass health/safety inspections.
Idaho uniquely separates barber licensing into two tiers: a basic Barber license (900 hours, no chemical services) and a Barber-Stylist license (1,800 hours, includes hair coloring and chemical treatments). This is one of the lowest hour requirements for a basic barber license in the country.
CRITICAL: Idaho has TWO distinct barber license types: Barber (900 hrs, no chemicals) and Barber-Stylist (1,500 hrs, includes chemical services).
Idaho requires an Idaho Jurisprudence exam in addition to the NIC exams.
Cosmetologist-to-barber crossover: 100 additional hours of barber instruction.
Annual renewal (not biennial) — one of the few states with annual renewal.
No apprenticeship available for barbers specifically (unlike cosmetology).
Endorsement requires active license for 3 of last 5 years, or 1 year work experience in last 3 years.
Board considering switch to biennial renewal during 2025 rulemaking.
Barber Schools in Idaho
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how Idaho compares: Barber License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Idaho
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Idaho.
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in Idaho verified against Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board, under the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Official Idaho barber licensing authority
Accessed 2026-03-09
Moving to Idaho? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Idaho →