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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
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.
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.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
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
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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.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 9/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Barber State Board Exam
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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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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
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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.
Reciprocity applicants are exempt from the practical exam requirement ('except when applying by Reciprocity'). States are Maine, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania.
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New York with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
4 years
Renewal Cycle
4 years
Renewal Fee
$40
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$10
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
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.
Barber Schools in New York
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (you) | $70 | 26–46 wks | |
| Connecticut | $165 | 40–66 wks | → |
| Massachusetts | $200 | 40–66 wks | → |
| New Jersey | $110–$170 | 36–61 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $173 | 48–79 wks | → |
See how New York 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 York 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 York
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in New York verified against New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
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Accessed 2026-03-23
Master Barber license requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to New York? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to New York →
Transfer your Barber license from New York to: Connecticut → | Massachusetts → | New Jersey → | Pennsylvania → | Vermont →