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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
$400
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
Annual, expiring 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
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
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
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
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.
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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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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
Tuition ranges are estimates and vary by school. Contact individual schools for current pricing.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Kentucky with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
Annual, expiring July 1
Renewal Fee
$50
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$25
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
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.
Barber Schools in Kentucky
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Kentucky.
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Barber requirements in Kentucky verified against Kentucky Board of Barbering, April 2026.
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
Moving to Kentucky? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Kentucky →
Transfer your Barber license from Kentucky to: Illinois → | Indiana → | Missouri → | Ohio → | Tennessee → | Virginia → | West Virginia →