Loading...
Loading...
Barber
Exam: Yes
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
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.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
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
Browse Barber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
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.
Ready to pass the Barber State Board Exam?
Practice exams built for the Barber licensing exam — so you can pass faster.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Overall licensing difficulty: 38/100
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
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic Barber State Board Exam practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
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 | $50.00 |
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.
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.
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare North Carolina with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
1 year
Renewal Cycle
1 year (annual — expires May 31)
Renewal Fee
$50.00
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
Assessed automatically after May 31 deadline
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $170.00 ($50 shop permit + $120 inspection) ($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.
Barber Schools in North Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Other professional licenses in North Carolina
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in North Carolina.
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
Official Sources
Barber requirements in North Carolina verified against North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
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
Moving to North Carolina? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to North Carolina →
Transfer your Barber license from North Carolina to: Georgia → | South Carolina → | Tennessee → | Virginia →