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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (Division of Consumer Affairs)
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.
900 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
~$155
Gov. Fees
Not available
Apprenticeship
2 years (even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
New Jersey requires a criminal background check as part of the licensing process through the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
900 hours
Barber school only
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Limited; practical hours must be completed in-person
Curriculum Includes
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
NJ Barber Theory Examination
110 questions, 2 hours. Administered by Prometric — this is NOT NIC-based.
NJ Barber Clinical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills. Both written and practical exams must be passed.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 24/100
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, chemical treatments, and scalp treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Licensing fee; $30 if applying during the second year of a licensing cycle | $60 |
Exam Fee Theory exam (Prometric) | $45 |
License Fee Combined practical exam + license fee | $110 |
Total Government Fees Theory ($45) + practical/license ($110) | ~$155 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000–$15,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. New Jersey's 900-hour requirement keeps costs moderate.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Endorsement available for out-of-state barbers with 3 years experience + current license.
Additional Requirements: Must provide verification of out-of-state license and proof of training hours. May need to pass New Jersey exams.
New Jersey maintains barber licensing under the State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, but barber and cosmetology/hairstyling are separate license types. Practitioners need the appropriate license for each profession.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New Jersey with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years (biennial, even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (even-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$60 (per renewal cycle)
Continuing Education
Not required
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $56 (Verify current shop license fee with your state barber board.)
Barbershops must be separately licensed and must meet health and safety standards. Local municipalities may have additional requirements for barbershop permits and inspections.
New Jersey's 900-hour requirement is relatively low nationally, and the state does not offer an apprenticeship alternative. Students can sit for the theory exam at the 720-hour mark (80% completion), which is an early testing option. The state manages barber licensing under its Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling rather than a separate barber board. License renewals are uniquely tied to each licensee's birth month, creating staggered renewal dates.
NJ uses Prometric for written/theory exam and Board administers practical — NOT NIC-based.
Theory exam is 110 questions, 2 hours — notably large compared to most states.
Renewal fee: $60 per barber-license.com / barber-schools.org (beautyschoolsdirectory.com says $90 — verify).
Endorsement available for out-of-state barbers with 3 years experience + current license.
NJ does not allow apprenticeship — school pathway only.
Physical examination required as part of application.
Barber Schools in New Jersey
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (you) | $110–$170 | 36–61 wks | |
| Connecticut | $165 | 40–66 wks | → |
| Delaware | — | — | → |
| New York | $70 | 26–46 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $173 | 48–79 wks | → |
See how New Jersey 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 Jersey 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 Jersey
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Jersey.
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Barber requirements in New Jersey verified against New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (Division of Consumer Affairs), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
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Official NJ cosmetology and barbering board page
Accessed 2026-02-26
900 hours at an approved barber school
Accessed 2026-02-26
Application and exam scheduling
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to New Jersey? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to New Jersey →
Transfer your Barber license from New Jersey to: Delaware → | New York → | Pennsylvania →