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Louisiana barber license — 1,500 training hours, exam details, fees ($165–$240), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
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42% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. 4 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
$165–$240
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
Annual (by birthday)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16 (school) / 17 (apprenticeship) years old
Education Level
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Total Training Hours
1,500 hours
Board-approved barber school (1,500 hours within 9 months, max 8 hours/day) or apprenticeship (4,000 hours)
Apprenticeship Alternative
4,000 hours required
4,000 hours (2-year program via UFCW Local 496, includes 288 theory hours). Apprenticeship hours expire after 3 years if license application not completed.
Online Hours Allowed
Theory hours may be available online; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
Louisiana Barber Written Examination
NIC written exam, 1 hour.
Louisiana Barber Practical Examination
Practical exam, 3 hours. Requires 3 live models (1 female, 2 male) — unusual requirement.
Barbering in Louisiana includes haircutting, shaving, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, and hair coloring for compensation. The Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners is a separate entity from the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial application fee; a second payment of $40 may also apply | $57 |
Exam Fee Exam registration fee covering written and practical exams | $90 |
License Fee Range per sources | $50–$100 |
Total Government Fees Range per sources | $165–$240 |
Barber School Tuition: $8,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee.
Title: Master Barber
Master barber status in Louisiana is associated with the ability to supervise apprentices. Licensed barbers can oversee apprentices in the Louisiana Barber Apprenticeship Program. Specific additional hour or exam requirements for the master barber designation should be verified with the Board.
Reciprocity available but applicants without a practical exam in their original state must take the LA practical exam.
Additional Requirements: Out-of-state applicants must provide verification of licensure and may need to pass the Louisiana barber exam.
Licensed cosmetologists can transition to barbering through the apprenticeship program under a licensed barber. However, the barbering and cosmetology boards are entirely separate in Louisiana (Board of Barber Examiners and State Board of Cosmetology). A cosmetology license does not permit straight-razor shaving.
Initial License Term
1 year (expires on birthday)
Renewal Cycle
Annual (by birthday)
Renewal Fee
$25/year
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $50–$100 (Barbershop license fee; exact amount should be verified with the Board)
Barbershops must be licensed by the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners and must meet health and safety standards. Each shop can have up to three apprentices, each working under their own licensed barber.
Louisiana's barber apprenticeship program is notably long at 4,000 practical hours (approximately 2 years), making it one of the longest apprenticeship requirements in the country. The program is organized in partnership with UFCW Local 496. Louisiana's Board of Barber Examiners offers exams only four times per year, similar to Hawaii. The license renewal is uniquely tied to the licensee's birthday rather than a fixed calendar date.
Louisiana has one of the highest apprenticeship hour requirements at 4,000 hours (2 years).
Apprenticeship administered through UFCW Local 496 (union program, includes 288 theory hours).
Apprenticeship hours expire after 3 years if license application not completed.
Practical exam requires 3 live models (1 female, 2 male) — unusual requirement.
Louisiana barber and cosmetology boards are SEPARATE entities.
Annual renewal by birthday — one of the lowest renewal fees at $25/year.
Reciprocity applicants without a practical exam must take the LA practical.
CE requirement of 16 hrs/year applies to INSTRUCTORS only, NOT regular barbers.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Louisiana.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#18 of 36
Salary
#6 of 36
Cost
#17 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$32,150
25th percentile
Median
$49,850
+28% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$53,390
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
40 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: Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 56–91 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners — 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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Official Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners page
Accessed 2026-02-26
Official 1,500-hour school requirement
Accessed 2026-02-26
Louisiana 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.