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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.
1,800 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$270
Gov. Fees
Not available
Apprenticeship
2 years
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
High school diploma or GED
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
1,800 hours
Barber school
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Limited; practical hours must be completed in-person
Curriculum Includes
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Nebraska Barber Written Examination
Board-administered exam — Nebraska does NOT use NIC or Prov. Exams conducted quarterly by the Board of Barber Examiners.
Nebraska Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills. Administered on the same exam dates as the written exam.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 64/100
Study recommendation: Plan for 4–6 weeks of dedicated study
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, chemical treatments, and scalp treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Combined student/examination + 2-year license fee (single payment) | $270 |
Exam Fee Included in combined fee | Included in $270 |
License Fee Included in combined fee | Included in $270 |
Total Government Fees Single combined fee covers exam + initial 2-year license | $270 |
Barber School Tuition: $12,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Nebraska's 2,100-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.
Licensing by reciprocity: $265, requires active license from another state.
Additional Requirements: May need to pass the Nebraska barber examination if training hours do not meet Nebraska's 2,100-hour requirement.
NE licensed cosmetologists get 1,000 hours credit toward the 1,800-hour barber requirement.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Nebraska with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years (included in $270 Student/Examination fee)
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Renewal Fee
$120
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $100 (Biennial barbershop license renewal fee; booth rental permits also cost $100)
Barbershops must be licensed by the Board. Applications for new shops must be filed at least 15 days before the scheduled opening. Booth rental permits are also required for independent contractors working in a barbershop. No charge for changing shop location during the licensing period.
Nebraska's 2,100-hour training requirement is one of the highest in the country for barbers, significantly above the national average. The state also administers its own exams rather than using PSI, Prov, or NIC, and exams are only offered quarterly. The single $220 combined application/exam/license fee is an unusually simple fee structure. There is no apprenticeship pathway available, making barber school the only route to licensure.
CRITICAL: Training hours are 1,800 per NE Statute 71-205. Many third-party sources incorrectly cite 2,100.
Board-administered exams — Nebraska does NOT use NIC or Prov. Board conducts own exams quarterly.
The $270 fee is a single combined payment covering exam + initial 2-year license.
Cosmetologist crossover: 1,000 hours credit toward 1,800-hour barber requirement.
Licensing by reciprocity: $265, requires active out-of-state license.
No apprenticeship pathway available.
Barber Schools in Nebraska
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Nebraska.
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in Nebraska verified against Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Shop licensing requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop licensing details
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Nebraska? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Nebraska →
Transfer your Barber license from Nebraska to: Colorado → | Iowa → | Kansas → | Missouri → | South Dakota → | Wyoming →