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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program
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.
1,500 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$61
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
Annually October 31st
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
Completion of 10th grade or equivalent (high school diploma for some pathways)
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 (1,500 hours in at least 9 months) or apprenticeship (2,500 hours)
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,500 hours required
2,500 hours for full Barber (18+ months) / 1,600 hours for Limited Barber. Trainee license available, valid for 18 months.
Online Hours Allowed
Theory hours may be available online; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Maine Barber Written Examination (NIC)
National written examination administered by D.L. Roope Administrations. Once you apply, you will be scheduled to take the exam.
Maine Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills. Both written and practical exams are scheduled through D.L. Roope Administrations.
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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 Maine includes haircutting, shaving, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, and hair coloring for compensation. Maine also offers a Limited Barber license with a reduced scope of practice. The Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program regulates aesthetics, barbering, limited barbering, cosmetology, and nail technology.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application and exam fee combined | $41 |
Exam Fee Application fee covers exam registration | Included in $41 application fee |
License Fee Annual license fee | $20 |
Total Government Fees Application/exam fee ($41) + initial license fee ($20) | $61 |
Barber School Tuition: $8,000–$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.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Maine accepts licensed barbers from other states by endorsement. Applicants must meet Maine's training hour requirements through their original training or a combination of training and work experience.
Additional Requirements: Endorsement applicants must meet one of several criteria: 1,500 hours of school, school plus 2,500 hours total (including work experience), or 2,500 hours of apprenticeship.
Maine allows individuals with 1,500 hours of barbering OR cosmetology instruction to qualify for a full barber license, making cosmetology training acceptable for barber licensure. This is one of the most flexible crossover provisions among U.S. states. However, separate licenses are still required.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Maine with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
Annual (expires October 31)
Renewal Cycle
Annually October 31st
Renewal Fee
$20.00 annually
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$50.00
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $50–$100 (Verify current shop license fee with your state barber board.)
The Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program creates safety and sanitation rules and enforces them through regular inspections of licensed establishments and consumer complaints.
Maine is remarkably flexible in accepting cosmetology school training as equivalent to barber training for full barber licensure. The state also offers a Limited Barber license requiring only 800 hours (or 1,600 hours of apprenticeship), providing an entry-level pathway. Maine's total government fees of approximately $61 and annual renewal of $20 are among the lowest in the nation, making it one of the most affordable states for barber licensure.
Maine has TWO barber license types: Barber (1,500 hrs, includes chemical services) and Limited Barber (800 hrs, no chemical services).
Apprenticeship: 2,500 hours full Barber / 1,600 hours Limited Barber.
Annual renewal with October 31 expiration.
Very low renewal fee of $20/year — one of the cheapest in the country.
Exam administered by D.L. Roope Administrations (not PSI or Prometric).
Endorsement available for out-of-state licensees; may waive exam if qualifications substantially equivalent.
Trainee license available for apprenticeship pathway, valid for 18 months.
Barber Schools in Maine
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine (you) | $61 | 56–91 wks | |
| Massachusetts | $200 | 40–66 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | — | — | → |
| Vermont | — | — | → |
See how Maine 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 Maine
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
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Barber requirements in Maine verified against Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Endorsement criteria detailed
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop licensing requirement confirmed
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Maine? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Maine →
Transfer your Barber license from Maine to: New Hampshire →