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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.
1,500 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$133
Gov. Fees
Not available
Apprenticeship
Annual (expires December 31)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
Varies
Education Level
10th grade
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 hrs apprenticeship under Master Barber for Registered license
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Limited; practical hours must be completed in-person
Curriculum Includes
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Minnesota Barber Examination (Written + Oral)
Board-administered exam (NOT PSI) with written, oral, and practical components. Offered only 4 times per year: 1st Monday of Feb, May, Aug, Nov. If failed (below 70%), must retake ENTIRE exam + complete additional 500 hours of schooling.
Barber Practical Examination
Practical and oral portions are part of the comprehensive barber examination. Candidates demonstrate hands-on barbering skills.
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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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Haircutting, shaving with straight razor, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, hair coloring, scalp treatments, and facial massages for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $85 |
Exam Fee Exam fee is combined with the application fee; Board administers exams directly | Included in application fee |
License Fee Apprentice barber license is $77; Registered (Master) barber license is $88 | $77–$88 |
Total Government Fees Application/exam fee ($45) + Registered Barber license fee ($88) | $133 |
Barber School Tuition: $10,000–$20,000
Varies by barber school; NOT a government fee. Minnesota's 1,500-hour requirement is moderate.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Title: Registered Barber (Master Barber)
Additional Hours: 1,500 hours beyond base barber license
After completing 1,500 hours of barber school and passing the Apprentice Barber exam, candidates must work 1,500 apprentice hours (minimum 12 months) under a registered (master) barber. They then take the Registered Barber Examination, which includes oral, practical, and written portions with a 75% minimum passing score on each section.
Minnesota accepts licensed barbers from other states if training requirements are comparable. Applicants must provide license verification and proof of training hours.
Additional Requirements: May need to pass the Minnesota barber examination if training hours do not meet Minnesota's 1,500-hour requirement.
Minnesota maintains a separate Board of Barber Examiners distinct from its cosmetology board. Barber and cosmetology licenses are separate, and practitioners cannot cross over without obtaining the appropriate license for each profession.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Minnesota with other states →
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Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
Annual (expires December 31)
Renewal Fee
$77/year (Apprentice) / $88/year (Master)
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $93.50 (Annual barbershop registration renewal fee)
Barbershop certificates expire June 30 annually.
Minnesota has one of the most rigorous barber licensing pathways in the country, requiring 1,500 school hours PLUS 1,500 apprentice hours (3,000 total hours) to become a fully licensed Registered (Master) Barber. The Board administers its own exams rather than using a national testing service, and exams are only offered four times per year. Annual license renewal (rather than biennial) is also unusual.
Minnesota has a TWO-TIER system: Apprentice Barber (1,500 hrs school + exam) → Registered (Master) Barber (1,500 hrs / 12 months under Master Barber + exam).
Exams are Board-administered (NOT PSI) and offered only 4 times per year (1st Monday of Feb, May, Aug, Nov).
If exam failed (below 70%), must retake ENTIRE exam + complete additional 500 hours of schooling.
Annual renewal — apprentice $77/year, master $88/year.
Only 5 board-approved barber schools, all in Minneapolis area.
Apprenticeship as initial training discontinued after December 2017 — school is the only pathway.
Barbering and cosmetology are under SEPARATE boards.
Legislative reform (HF 3072) proposed to reduce hours to 1,200 — not yet passed.
Barber Schools in Minnesota
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota (you) | $133 | 56–91 wks | |
| Iowa | $263 | 76–121 wks | → |
| North Dakota | $100 | 58–94 wks | → |
| South Dakota | — | — | → |
| Wisconsin | $210 | 40–66 wks | → |
See how Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota
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Barber requirements in Minnesota verified against Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
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Official Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners page
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop registration requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Minnesota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Minnesota →
Transfer your Barber license from Minnesota to: Iowa → | North Dakota → | South Dakota → | Wisconsin →