Barber

OhioBarber License Requirements

Exam: Yes

VerifiedLast verified: April 2026

Governing Authority

Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board

Complexity:Structured Path

Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.

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1 hrs

Training Hours

Written + Practical

Exam Type

~$55

Gov. Fees

Not available

Apprenticeship

2 years; barber licenses renew by August 31 of even-numbered years

Renewal Cycle

4 hrs

CE Required

Basic Requirements

Minimum Age

18 (HB 158 may lower to 16 — verify if signed) years old

Verified

Education Level

8th grade or equivalent as determined by the Ohio Department of Education

Verified

Residency

No state residency required

Mostly verified

Background Check

Not required

Verified

Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.

Training Requirements

Total Training Hours

1 hours

Barber school

Verified

Apprenticeship Alternative

Not available

Online Hours Allowed

Theory hours only; practical hours must be in-person

Mostly verified

Curriculum Includes

Theory (100 hours)Scientific barbering practice on mannequins (200 hours)General barber practice (1,200 hours)Haircutting and clipper techniquesShaving and facial hair groomingHair coloring and chemical treatmentsScalp treatments and shampooingSanitation, sterilization, and safetyOhio laws and regulations

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Licensing Exam

Examination

Written Exam

Ohio Barber Written Examination

Verified

Administered by: Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board
Questions: 100
Passing Score: 75% (cannot exceed 75% per HB 158 language)
Fee: $55 (effective January 2025)

100 multiple-choice questions, board-administered. Not NIC.

Practical Exam

Ohio Barber Practical Examination

Verified

Administered by: Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board
Passing Score: 75%
Fee: Included in the $55 exam application fee

Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills including haircutting, shaving, and sanitation procedures.

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Exam Difficulty

Overall licensing difficulty: 44/100

Structured Path

Study recommendation: Most candidates study 2–4 weeks

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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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Scope of Practice

Verified

Shaving, cutting, trimming, and styling of hair; trimming and grooming of beards and mustaches; shampooing; applying hair tonics and chemical treatments; scalp massage and treatments; and related barbering services for compensation.

✓ Straight Razor Shaving✗ Facial Treatments✓ Hair Coloring / Chemical Services

Fee Breakdown

Fee	Amount	Confidence
Application Fee Initial exam application (eff. Jan 2025; was up to $90)	$55	Verified
Exam Fee Written and practical exam fees combined with application	Included in $40 application fee	Verified
License Fee Work permit fee after passing exams	$50	Verified
Total Government Fees Exam/application combined fee	~$55	Verified

Barber School Tuition: $10,000–$20,000

Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Ohio's 1,800-hour requirement means higher tuition than states with fewer hours.

Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.

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See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.

Reciprocity & Crossover

Out-of-State Transfer

endorsement

Mostly verified

Reciprocity: $300 fee, no exam required.

Additional Requirements: Must provide proof of training hours equivalent to Ohio's requirements and may need to pass the Ohio examination.

Cosmetology Crossover

Verified

YesCosmetologist can perform barbering

YesBarber can perform cosmetology

Confirmed: licensed barbers need 1,000 hours for cosmetologist license (standard is 1,500); licensed cosmetologists need 1,000 hours for barber license (standard is 1,800)

Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →

Compare Ohio with other states →

See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.

License & Renewal

Initial License Term

2 years (expires August 31 of even-numbered years)

Verified

Renewal Cycle

2 years; barber licenses renew by August 31 of even-numbered years

Verified

Renewal Fee

$65 (effective after June 30, 2025)

Verified

Continuing Education

4 hours — 4 hours per biennial renewal: 1 hour Board Laws/Rules (ONLY available through the board directly) + 3 hours infection control/safety. Exemptions: age 65+, or 30+ years licensure.

Verified

Regulatory Board

Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board

Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.

Barbershop License

Verified

RequiredInspection Required

Shop License Fee: $50–$100 (Barbershop license fee; varies by application type)

Barbershops must be separately licensed and pass health and safety inspections. Applications are submitted through the Ohio eLicense system.

Special Notes

★

Ohio requires 1,800 training hours, making it one of the most demanding states for barber education. However, the state has modernized its approach by creating crossover pathways that reduce the hour requirement for licensed cosmetologists seeking a barber license to just 1,000 hours. Ohio also notably prohibits the board from denying licenses based on criminal history, making it one of the most accessible states for applicants with a record.

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CE REQUIRED: 4 hours per biennial renewal — 1 hr Board Laws (board-only) + 3 hrs infection control. Exempt: age 65+, 30+ years.

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Fee changes eff. Jan 2025: exam app $55 (was up to $90), renewal $65 (was $110).

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HB 158 (passed, awaiting signature): Would lower min age 18→16, eliminate 200-hr re-exam penalty, create temp work permits.

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Board-administered exams (not NIC).

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Reciprocity: $300 fee, no exam required.

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Cosmetology/hair designer crossover: 1,000 hours (instead of 1,800).

Barber Schools in Ohio

Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Complete 1,800 hours of training at a board-approved barbering program Submit application and $40 fee to the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board Pass the written examination (70% minimum) Pass the practical examination (70% minimum) Obtain a work permit ($50 fee) Receive barber license from the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board

Yes, Ohio accepts out-of-state Barber credentials. Reciprocity: $300 fee, no exam required.

Becoming a licensed Barber in Ohio requires approximately 1 hours of training. Actual timelines vary based on your prior experience and how quickly you complete each requirement.

To obtain a Barber license in Ohio, applicants must be at least 18 (HB 158 may lower to 16 — verify if signed) years old and 8th grade or equivalent as determined by the Ohio Department of Education.

Ohio requires 1 hours of barber training. Barber school

Confirmed: licensed barbers need 1,000 hours for cosmetologist license (standard is 1,500); licensed cosmetologists need 1,000 hours for barber license (standard is 1,800)