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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing (LARA) — Barbers profession page; the board is referenced under BPL
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.
1,800 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$80+
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires September 30)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
Has completed the tenth grade of school or has an equivalent education as determined by the department
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Michigan requires applicants to be of good moral character. A criminal background check may be conducted as part of the application process.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,800 hours
Barber college or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
1,800 hours required
1,800 hours in a barber apprenticeship program in a licensed barbershop with curriculum substantially similar to barber college. Barbershop owners may not charge a fee for teaching.
Online Hours Allowed
Theory hours only; practical hours must be completed in-person
Curriculum Includes
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Michigan Barber Theory Examination
PSI exam, 100 questions, 120 minutes.
Michigan Barber Practical Examination
PSI practical exam, 170 minutes. Requires live model age 18+.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 44/100
Study recommendation: Most candidates study 2–4 weeks
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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Shaving or trimming of the beard, cutting, styling, dressing, arranging, shampooing, and coloring of hair, application of hair tonics, and massaging of the face and scalp for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Per Michigan LARA Barber Licensing Guide (rev. 1/26/2026): "Barber by Exam or Reciprocity: $63.00" | $63 |
Exam Fee Written ($63) + practical ($63), paid to PSI | $126 |
License Fee Initial license issuance fee | $20 |
Total Government Fees Application/license ($80) + exam fees (paid separately to PSI) | $80+ |
Barber School Tuition: $10,000–$20,000
Varies by barber college; NOT a government fee. Michigan's 1,800-hour requirement results in higher tuition costs.
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.
Must hold or have held in good standing a barber license in another state, jurisdiction, or country for at least 1 of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of application.
Additional Requirements: Must submit verification of out-of-state license and may need to pass the Michigan barber examination.
Cosmetologist crossover: may substitute up to 1,000 hours of substantially similar cosmetology instruction. Out-of-state experience can substitute at ratio of 3 months = 100 hours.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Michigan with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires September 30)
Renewal Fee
$60
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $80 (Barbershop license renewal fee; initial application fee may differ)
Barbershops must be separately licensed through LARA. The shop must meet health and safety standards and may be subject to inspection. Application is completed online at michigan.gov/miplus.
Michigan's 1,800-hour training requirement is among the highest in the nation for barbers. The state maintains a completely separate Board of Barber Examiners from its cosmetology board, and does not offer a combined or crossover license pathway. The 10th grade education requirement (rather than high school diploma) is less common.
Michigan statute (MCL 339.1108) allows apprenticeship as an alternative — 1,800 hours in a licensed barbershop.
Training breakdown: 225 hours classroom + 1,575 hours practical.
Cosmetologist crossover: up to 1,000 hours of cosmetology instruction may substitute.
Out-of-state experience: 3 months = 100 hours credit toward instruction.
Endorsement: licensed 1 of last 3 years in equivalent state.
Apprenticeship barbershop owners may not charge a fee for teaching.
License expires September 30.
Barber Schools in Michigan
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Michigan.
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in Michigan verified against Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing (LARA) — Barbers profession page; the board is referenced under BPL, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
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PSI exam scheduling information
Accessed 2026-02-26
Official barbershop licensing guide
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Michigan? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Michigan →
Transfer your Barber license from Michigan to: Indiana → | Ohio → | Wisconsin →