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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics | NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
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.
800 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$247
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (odd-numbered years, by last day of birth month)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
Completion of 4th year of high school or equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
New Hampshire requires applicants to be of good professional character. The Board may conduct character review as part of the application process.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
800 hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
1,600 hours required
1,600 hours over 12+ months for Barber / 3,000 hours over 18+ months for Master Barber.
Online Hours Allowed
Limited; check with the Board for current distance learning policies
Curriculum Includes
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
NH Barber Written Theory + State Law Exam
Three exams required: NIC Written Theory, NH State Law Exam, and NIC Practical. The $88 fee covers written theory + state law combined. Prov took over from DL Roope as of April 1, 2025.
New Hampshire Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills administered by ProV.
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Practice exams built for the Barber licensing exam — so you can pass faster.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 32/100
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, and basic scalp treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $55.00 |
Exam Fee Written + law ($88) + practical ($104) | $192 |
License Fee The $55 application fee covers the license issuance | Included in application fee |
Total Government Fees Written+law ($88) + practical ($104) + application ($55) | $247 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000–$15,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. New Hampshire's 800-hour requirement keeps costs lower.
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.
Title: Master Barber
Additional Hours: 700 hours beyond base barber license
Master Barber requires 1,500 hours of schooling (700 more than the 800-hour barber license) or 3,000 hours of apprenticeship. The Master Barber license allows a broader scope of practice including hair coloring and chemical services. Reciprocity for Master Barbers is limited to Delaware, Georgia, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Confirmed. Master Barber reciprocity limited to DE, GA, ND, TN, VA.
Additional Requirements: Must provide license verification from originating state. Master Barber reciprocity is limited to specific states.
States with Specific Agreements
New Hampshire has a combined Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics, but barber and cosmetology remain separate licenses. Practitioners need the appropriate license for each profession. The basic barber license (800 hours) has a more limited scope than the Master Barber license (1,500 hours).
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New Hampshire with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (odd-numbered years, by last day of birth month)
Renewal Fee
$55.00
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$55.00 (Reinstatement Fee)
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $55 (Shop license application and renewal fee (estimated same as individual license))
Barbershops must be separately licensed by the OPLC. The Board conducts inspections of licensed establishments. Mobile shop applications are also available.
New Hampshire is one of the few states with a true two-tier barber licensing system, where the basic Barber license (800 hours) is separate from the Master Barber license (1,500 hours). The basic license has a more limited scope of practice. Master Barber reciprocity is notably restricted to just 5 states. The state also licenses mobile barbershops, reflecting a modern approach to the profession.
NH has TWO barber tiers: Barber (800 hrs school / 1,600 apprenticeship) and Master Barber (1,500 hrs school / 3,000 apprenticeship).
Lowest school hours in the nation at 800 for base Barber license.
Three exams: NIC Written Theory, NH State Law, and NIC Practical.
Exam vendor transition: Prov, Inc. took over from DL Roope as of April 1, 2025.
Different NIC exam versions: Barber 1 (basic) vs Barber Stylist (Master).
Limited Master Barber reciprocity: only from DE, GA, ND, TN, VA.
Min age 16 but requires HS completion — effectively 17-18 for most.
Barber Schools in New Hampshire
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Hampshire.
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in New Hampshire verified against Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics | NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
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Exam application page
Accessed 2026-02-26
Master Barber requirements: 1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours
Accessed 2026-02-26
Master Barber pathway details
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop inspection program
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to New Hampshire? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to New Hampshire →
Transfer your Barber license from New Hampshire to: Maine → | Massachusetts → | Vermont →