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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.
1,000 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
~$468
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires Dec 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16 (implied) / 18 (alien apprentice) years old
Education Level
10th grade education or equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Massachusetts requires a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) background check as part of the licensing process.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,000 hours
Barber school + mandatory 18-month apprenticeship for Master license
Apprenticeship Alternative
18 months apprenticeship required to upgrade from Apprentice Barber to Master Barber. Alien apprentice pathway: 24-month apprenticeship, age 18+.
Online Hours Allowed
Limited online theory hours may be permitted; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Massachusetts Barber Examination
Available in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese.
Master Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills including haircutting, shaving, and sanitation procedures. Both exams cost $180 combined.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 26/100
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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Haircutting, shaving with straight razor, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, hair coloring, permanent waving, chemical hair relaxing, facials, and scalp treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee (both tiers) | $66 |
Exam Fee Written ($90) + practical ($90), paid separately to PSI | $180 |
License Fee License fee (both tiers) | $20 |
Total Government Fees Apprentice path ($201) + Master path ($267) total from start to Master Barber | ~$468 |
Barber School Tuition: $8,000–$20,000
Varies by school and program; NOT a government fee
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.
Title: Master Barber
The Master Barber license is the standard full barber license in Massachusetts. Candidates must complete 1,000 hours of training, pass the written and practical exams, and complete an 18-month apprenticeship under a licensed master barber. Every barbershop must have a licensed master barber supervising during hours of operation.
Reciprocity fee $225 for out-of-state master barbers with 2+ years experience.
Additional Requirements: Must submit verification of out-of-state license and proof of training hours meeting or exceeding Massachusetts requirements.
Barber and cosmetology are separate licenses in Massachusetts. Cosmetologists who wish to perform barbering services (including straight-razor shaving) must complete a 500-hour crossover program and obtain a separate barber license. The Board of Registration oversees both barbering and cosmetology under one combined board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Massachusetts with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires Dec 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$40 (Apprentice) / $78 (Master)
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$57
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $78 (Barbershop license fee; shop must pass inspection before licensing)
Barbershops must be separately licensed. Shop must be completely set up with signage and ready for business. Must pass required town inspections and obtain required town permits and certificates before applying for a barbershop license. A licensed master barber must supervise during all operating hours.
Massachusetts is unique in requiring an 18-month apprenticeship under a licensed master barber on top of the 1,000-hour school requirement. The 'Master Barber' title is the default licensure level, not an advanced tier. Every barbershop must have a licensed master barber present during all hours of operation, making the master barber designation critical for shop ownership.
Massachusetts uses a TWO-TIER system: Apprentice Barber (1,000 hrs school + exam) → Master Barber (18 months apprenticeship + exam).
Total costs from start to Master Barber: approximately $468.
Alien apprentice pathway: 24-month apprenticeship, age 18+.
Exam available in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese.
Late renewal fee: $57. If not renewed within 3 years, must retake practical exam.
Separate Board of Registration of Barbers historically, now merged with Cosmetology.
Barber Schools in Massachusetts
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (you) | $200 | 40–66 wks | |
| Connecticut | $165 | 40–66 wks | → |
| Maine | $61 | 56–91 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | — | — | → |
| New York | $70 | 26–46 wks | → |
See how Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in Massachusetts verified against Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
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Accessed 2026-03-23
PSI scheduling for MA barber exams
Accessed 2026-02-26
Official barbershop licensing requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
Information on crossover programs between barber and cosmetology
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Massachusetts? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Massachusetts →
Transfer your Barber license from Massachusetts to: Connecticut → | New Hampshire → | New York → | Rhode Island → | Vermont →