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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
$246
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires September 30, odd-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
No formal education requirement for barbers; 10th grade/GED requirement applies to cosmetology licensees only
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
1,000 hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,000 hours required
Missouri allows 2,000 hours of apprenticeship as an alternative to the 1,000-hour barber school pathway. Apprentice workdays must be between 3 and 12 hours long, at 15 to 72 hours per week. An apprentice license costs $25.
Online Hours Allowed
Limited theory hours may be completed online; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Missouri Barber Theory Examination
NIC theory exam administered by Prov, Inc. (transitioned from PSI Services).
Missouri Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills including haircutting, shaving, and sanitation procedures.
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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
Browse study guides
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, and scalp treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial license fee | $100 |
Exam Fee Theory exam ($88) + practical exam ($58), paid to Prov | $146 ($88 written + $58 practical) |
License Fee The $100 application fee covers the license issuance | Included in application fee |
Total Government Fees Written ($88) + practical ($58) + license ($100) | $246 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000–$15,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Missouri's 1,000-hour requirement keeps costs moderate.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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No reciprocity agreement — evaluated case-by-case based on equivalent training hours. $100 reciprocity fee.
Additional Requirements: Must provide verification of out-of-state license and proof of equivalent training hours.
Crossover licensing: Licensed barbers with 3+ years MO experience can obtain cosmetology crossover without additional school hours. With 2 years: 500 hours crossover training. Same applies cosmetologists → barbers.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Missouri with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years (expires September 30 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires September 30, odd-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$30
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $30 (Biennial establishment renewal fee)
Barber establishments must be licensed separately and meet health and safety standards. Establishments must submit a renewal application with the biennial renewal fee by the renewal date.
Missouri is notable for its well-defined crossover licensing pathway between barbering and cosmetology. Licensed barbers with 3+ years of experience can obtain a cosmetology crossover license without any additional school hours, and vice versa. The relatively low 1,000-hour school requirement combined with a $30 biennial renewal makes Missouri one of the more accessible states for barber licensure.
No education requirement for barbers — the 10th grade requirement applies to cosmetology only.
Exam vendor recently transitioned from PSI Services to Prov, Inc.
Crossover: barbers with 3+ years MO experience can get cosmetology license without additional school. With 2 years: 500 hours crossover training.
No reciprocity agreement — case-by-case evaluation + $100 fee.
Total initial fees: $246 (written $88 + practical $58 + license $100).
Barber Schools in Missouri
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri
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Barber requirements in Missouri verified against Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Establishment licensing requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
Barber-to-cosmetology crossover regulations
Accessed 2026-02-26
Crossover licensing for new licensees
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Missouri? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Missouri →
Transfer your Barber license from Missouri to: Arkansas → | Illinois → | Iowa → | Kansas → | Kentucky → | Nebraska → | Oklahoma → | Tennessee →