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Maine barber license — 1,500 training hours, exam details, fees ($61), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Governing Authority
Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
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
1,500 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$61
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
Annual (expires October 31)
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
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
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.
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
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Maine has limited barber school options.
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.
Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
Annual (expires October 31)
Renewal Fee
$20/year
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$50
Shop License Fee: $50–$100 (Estimated barbershop establishment license fee)
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#18 of 36
Salary
#21 of 36
Cost
#1 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$30,080
25th percentile
Median
$36,460
-6% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$50,850
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
70 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.
Estimated total: 56–91 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
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
Maine 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.