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Kentucky barber license — 1,500 training hours, exam details, fees ($400), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
74% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 fields based on preliminary research. 2 fields need verification. 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
$400
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
Annual (all barber licenses expire July 1)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16½ (to enter school) / 18 (for full barber license) years old
Education Level
High school diploma or GED (4 years high school)
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Total Training Hours
1,500 hours
Barber school + mandatory probationary period
Apprenticeship Alternative
Kentucky uses a UNIQUE two-step probationary system (not traditional apprenticeship): 1) Complete 1,500 hours → pass apprentice exam → get Apprentice Barber License. 2) Work 6–9 continuous months under licensed barber → take barber exam (practical only) → get full Barber License.
Online Hours Allowed
Theory hours only; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
Kentucky Apprentice Barber Examination
Apprentice exam: 50 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes. Must pass before beginning probationary work period.
Kentucky Barber License Practical Examination
Practical demonstration on live models. Taken AFTER completing 6–9 months of probationary work under a licensed barber.
Barbering in Kentucky includes haircutting for men, women, and children, shaving, beard trimming, shampooing, massaging, permanent waving, relaxing, hair coloring, and related grooming services for compensation. The Kentucky Board of Barbering is an independent agency separate from cosmetology.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee No separate application fee | N/A |
Exam Fee Apprentice exam ($200) + barber exam ($100) | $300 |
License Fee Apprentice license ($50) + barber license ($50) | $100 |
Total Government Fees Apprentice exam ($200) + apprentice license ($50) + barber exam ($100) + barber license ($50) | $400 |
Barber School Tuition: $10,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee.
Kentucky accepts licensed barbers from other states by endorsement. Applicants must hold a valid barber license in another state and meet Kentucky's training hour requirements.
Additional Requirements: Out-of-state applicants must provide verification of licensure and may need to pass the Kentucky barber exam.
Cosmetologist-to-barber crossover possible but complex (up to 750 hours may transfer per board approval). Kentucky Board of Barbering and Board of Cosmetology are completely separate state agencies.
Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
Annual (all barber licenses expire July 1)
Renewal Fee
$50/year
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$25
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $100 (Initial barbershop license fee; renewal is $50 annually)
Barbershops must be separately licensed through the Kentucky Board of Barbering. Shop licenses, like individual licenses, expire July 1 annually. A late fee of $25 applies for late renewal.
Kentucky's two-stage licensing process is one of the most unusual in the nation. After completing 1,500 hours of barber school, graduates must pass an apprentice exam, work as an apprentice for 6-9 months (at least 20 hours per week), and then pass a second full barber exam. This two-stage system, combined with two separate $200 exam fees and two $50 license fees, makes Kentucky one of the most expensive states for total government barber licensing fees at $500.
Kentucky has a UNIQUE two-step licensing system: school (1,500 hrs) → apprentice exam → apprentice license → 6–9 months probationary work → barber exam → full license.
This probationary period is mandatory — you CANNOT skip it.
Total fees ~$400 when adding all steps.
Kentucky Board of Barbering and Board of Cosmetology are completely separate state agencies.
Cosmetologist-to-barber crossover: up to 750 hours may transfer per board approval.
Annual renewal with July 1 expiration for ALL license types.
Late fee: $25.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Kentucky.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#18 of 36
Salary
#9 of 36
Cost
#36 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$43,230
25th percentile
Median
$48,930
+26% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$62,190
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: Kentucky Board of Barbering — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 56–91 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Kentucky Board of Barbering — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Kentucky Board of Barbering — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-23
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Detailed curriculum breakdown
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop renewal information
Accessed 2026-02-26
Crossover information and scope differences
Accessed 2026-02-26
Kentucky 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.