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New York barber license — varies by program training hours, exam details, fees ($55), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Governing Authority
New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
68% of data points are verified against official sources. 5 fields based on preliminary research. 1 field needs verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Varies
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$55
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
4 years
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
None specified in statute (schools may require HS diploma/GED for enrollment)
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
New York requires a background check as part of the barber license application. A criminal conviction does not automatically bar licensure; applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Total Training Hours
Varies hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
2 years as a registered NYS barber apprentice under a NYS-licensed barber. This is an alternative to school.
Online Hours Allowed
Limited; primarily in-person instruction required
Curriculum Includes
State Written Examination
NY does NOT require a written exam for barbers — only a practical exam. Written exams apply to cosmetologists only.
NYS Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills including shaving, precision cutting, and sanitation.
Shaving, cutting, trimming, styling, shampooing, and coloring of hair; trimming and grooming of beards and mustaches; applying facial treatments and tonics; and performing scalp massage for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee $50 with temporary license | $40 |
Exam Fee Practical exam only | $15 |
License Fee The $40 application fee covers the initial license issuance | Included in application fee |
Total Government Fees Application ($40) + exam ($15). Lowest in the nation. | $55 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000–$20,000
Varies widely by school and program in NY; NOT a government fee
Title: Master Barber
Additional Hours: 510 hours beyond base barber license
Must complete a 510-hour hands-on Master Barber Course and pass the Master Barber examination. The Master Barber license is required to supervise apprentice barbers.
Direct reciprocity (practical exam waived) with ME, PA, and NM only.
Additional Requirements: Must hold active license in good standing from a reciprocal state and provide official license verification.
States with Specific Agreements
Barber and cosmetology (appearance enhancement) are separate licenses in New York regulated by the Department of State. Each requires its own training and examination.
Initial License Term
4 years
Renewal Cycle
4 years
Renewal Fee
$40
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$10
Shop License Fee: $60–$100 (Barbershop license fee varies; separate from individual barber license)
A separate Barber Shop license is required to operate a barbershop business. The barbershop must pass health and safety inspections. A barbering license alone does not permit operating a business.
New York requires only 600 training hours for barbers, one of the lowest requirements in the country. The state also uniquely requires a physical examination by a physician as part of the application process. The 4-year license renewal cycle is unusually long, and the state has specific reciprocity agreements with only Maine, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico.
HIGHLY UNUSUAL: NY does NOT set a statutory minimum training hour requirement. Schools set their own hours (commonly 288–600).
NO WRITTEN EXAM for barbers — only a practical exam. Written exams are for cosmetologists only.
Passing score is 70% — lower than the 75% standard in most states.
4-year renewal cycle — longest seen among all states (most are 1-2 years).
Lowest total fees in the nation at $55 (app $40 + exam $15).
Health certification required — physical exam within 30 days of application.
One-time sanitation course required on contagious diseases and sterilization.
Direct reciprocity (exam waived) with ME, PA, and NM only.
Temporary license available — valid 6 months, can extend 6 months if one exam portion passed.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New York.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 36
Salary
#29 of 36
Cost
#2 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$32,050
25th percentile
Median
$32,050
-18% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$60,500
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: New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 26–46 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Master Barber license requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
New York requires varies by program hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.