Loading...
Loading...
Minnesota barber license — 1,500 training hours, exam details, fees ($133), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
47% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. 2 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
$133
Gov. Fees
Not available
Apprenticeship
Annual (expires Dec 31)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
Varies
Education Level
10th grade
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
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
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.
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.
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.
Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
Annual (expires Dec 31)
Renewal Fee
$77/year (Apprentice) / $88/year (Master)
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $93.50 (Annual barbershop registration renewal fee)
All barbershops must be registered with the Board. Shop registration expires June 30 each year and must be renewed annually. All barbers must work in a registered barber shop.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Minnesota.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#18 of 36
Salary
#19 of 36
Cost
#12 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$36,730
25th percentile
Median
$37,250
-4% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$37,250
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
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.
Source: Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 56–91 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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
Accessed 2026-03-23
Official Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners page
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop registration requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
Minnesota 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.