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North Carolina barber license — 1,528 training hours, exam details, fees (~$210–$295), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Governing Authority
North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners (BBEE)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
58% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 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
1,528 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
~$210–$295
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
1 year (annual — expires May 31)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
Varies
Education Level
High school diploma or GED (school enrollment requirement)
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
FBI background check required with student permit application.
Total Training Hours
1,528 hours
Barber school + mandatory 12-month apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
MANDATORY 12-month apprenticeship AFTER completing 1,528 school hours + passing apprentice exam. This is sequential — NOT an alternative to school. Similar to Nevada and North Dakota models.
Online Hours Allowed
Limited; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
NC Apprentice Barber Theory Exam (NIC)
NIC Barber Theory, 90 minutes. Part of apprentice exam. Registered barber exam (after apprenticeship) is practical ONLY.
NC Barber Clinical Exam
Clinical exam, ~1 hour. Required for both apprentice exam AND registered barber exam.
Shaving, trimming beards and mustaches, cutting and styling hair, shampooing, applying hair tonics and chemical treatments, scalp massage, and related barbering services for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Student permit fee required at barber school enrollment | $25 |
Exam Fee Apprentice exam fee | $85 |
License Fee Apprentice license fee | $50 |
Total Government Fees Student permit ($25) + apprentice exam ($85) + apprentice license ($50) + registered barber ($50) = $210 minimum | ~$210–$295 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000–$18,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. NC community colleges may offer lower-cost programs.
North Carolina accepts licensed barbers from other states by endorsement if they meet the state's training hour requirements and pass the NC barber examination.
Additional Requirements: Must provide proof of training hours equivalent to NC requirements (1,528 hours) and may need to pass NC-specific examination.
Barber and cosmetology are separate licenses in North Carolina regulated by different boards. The Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners handles barbers, while the Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners handles cosmetologists. Crossover training programs exist but separate licenses are required.
Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
1 year (annual — expires May 31)
Renewal Fee
$50
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
Assessed automatically after May 31 deadline
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $170 ($120 inspection fee + $50 permit fee)
Barbershops must be separately licensed and pass an inspection by the NC Board. The inspection fee is $120 and the permit fee is $50, for a total of $170.
North Carolina has a distinctive two-tier licensing process that requires barbers to first complete 1,528 hours of school, pass an apprentice exam, work for a full year under supervision, and then pass a second Licensed Barber exam. This means the full path from school entry to full licensure takes approximately 2 years. The state also has a higher-than-average training hour requirement of 1,528 hours.
TWO-STAGE LICENSING: 1,528 school hours → apprentice exam → 12-month mandatory apprenticeship → registered barber exam. Sequential, NOT either/or.
Passing score is 70% — lower than the 75% standard in most states.
Separate board: NC BBEE is entirely separate from Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. Barber + Electrolysis merged Jan 1, 2023.
FBI background check required with student permit application.
Annual renewal — expires May 31.
Free renewal for barbers 70+ years old — unique provision.
Registered barber exam (after apprenticeship) is practical only — no written.
Exam portal transition: As of Feb 2026, notices available only through online portal.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in North Carolina.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#32 of 36
Salary
#4 of 36
Cost
#9 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$59,420
25th percentile
Median
$64,290
+65% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$97,220
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
250 employed in this state
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: North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 57–93 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
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1,528 hours required
Accessed 2026-02-26
Exam scheduling information
Accessed 2026-02-26
Licensed Barber is the full license; no separate master tier
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop license and inspection requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
North Carolina requires 1,528 hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.