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Iowa barber license — 1,550 training hours, exam details, fees (~$72), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
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63% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 fields based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
1,550 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
~$72
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
6 hrs
CE Required
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
10th grade or equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Total Training Hours
1,550 hours
Barber school, apprenticeship, or Establishment Training Program
Apprenticeship Alternative
Available — certificate of completion from Iowa Office of Apprenticeship required. A new Establishment Training Program (2025 law) also allows trainees to perform services under supervision with only 2 hours of initial law/sanitation training.
Online Hours Allowed
Theory hours may be completed online through approved programs; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
NIC Barber Theory Examination
National theory exam administered by NIC. Must achieve a passing score of 75% or higher.
NIC Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills administered by NIC.
Barbering in Iowa includes haircutting, shaving, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, and hair coloring for compensation. Since July 1, 2023, a separate shaving certificate is required to perform shaving services. Iowa operates under a combined Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee | $60 |
Exam Fee Theory exam ($83) + practical exam ($108), paid separately | $191 |
License Fee The $72 initial fee covers the license issuance | Included in application fee |
Total Government Fees Application ($60) + exam fees paid separately to PSI | ~$72 |
Barber School Tuition: $12,000–$25,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Iowa's 2,100-hour requirement means higher average tuition costs.
Iowa accepts licensed barbers from other states by endorsement. Applicants must hold a valid barber license in another state and provide proof of meeting Iowa's training requirements.
Additional Requirements: Out-of-state applicants must provide evidence of passing a national examination (NIC) with a score of 75% or higher.
Iowa does not offer a crossover program between barbering and cosmetology. Separate training and testing must be completed for each license type. However, both professions are governed by the same combined Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences.
Initial License Term
2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$60
Continuing Education
6 hours — 6 hours per renewal: 4 hours discipline-specific + 2 hours Iowa laws/rules/infection control. First renewal after initial licensure is EXEMPT from CE.
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $144 (Establishment license/reactivation fee; exact initial fee may differ)
Barbershop establishments must be licensed through DIAL. The board provides a self-inspection checklist to help owners comply with statutes and rules. Owners are encouraged to use the checklist every six months.
Iowa's 2,100-hour barber training requirement is among the highest in the nation. The state also implemented a unique shaving certificate requirement effective July 1, 2023, which is separate from the barber license itself. Barbers licensed before that date are grandfathered in and do not need the separate certificate. Iowa is one of the few states that requires continuing education for barbers (3 hours per cycle).
CRITICAL: Training hours REDUCED from 2,100 to 1,550 under new Iowa law.
A new Establishment Training Program (2025 law) allows trainees to perform services under supervision with only 2 hours of initial law/sanitation training — separate from traditional licensing.
Iowa merged barbering and cosmetology licensing into Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences.
Cosmetologists who held an Iowa barber license before July 1, 2023 are exempt from the separate shaving certificate requirement.
First renewal period after initial license is EXEMPT from CE requirements.
Endorsement available for out-of-state licensees with 12 months of practice in last 24 months.
6 hours CE per renewal: 4 discipline-specific + 2 Iowa laws/rules/infection control.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Iowa.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#36 of 36
Salary
#2 of 36
Cost
#31 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$58,940
25th percentile
Median
$78,480
+101% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$78,510
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
140 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: Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (DIAL) — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 76–121 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (DIAL) — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (DIAL) — 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
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Accessed 2026-03-23
Establishment licensing requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
No crossover program available
Accessed 2026-02-26
Iowa requires 1,550 hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.