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Ohio barber license — 1,800 training hours, exam details, fees (~$55), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
74% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 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
1,800 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
~$55
Gov. Fees
Not available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires August 31, even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
4 hrs
CE Required
Minimum Age
18 (HB 158 may lower to 16 — verify if signed) years old
Education Level
8th grade or equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Total Training Hours
1,800 hours
Barber school
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Theory hours only; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
Ohio Barber Written Examination
100 multiple-choice questions, board-administered. Not NIC.
Ohio Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills including haircutting, shaving, and sanitation procedures.
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.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial exam application (eff. Jan 2025; was up to $90) | $55 |
Exam Fee Written and practical exam fees combined with application | Included in $40 application fee |
License Fee Work permit fee after passing exams | $50 |
Total Government Fees Exam/application combined fee | ~$55 |
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.
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.
Ohio offers crossover pathways between barber and cosmetology licenses. Licensed barbers need only 1,000 hours of cosmetology training (instead of the standard 1,500) to earn a cosmetology license, and licensed cosmetologists need only 1,000 hours of barber training (instead of 1,800) to earn a barber license. A unified school license exists for facilities teaching both.
Initial License Term
2 years (expires August 31 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires August 31, even-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$65
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.
Regulatory Board
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.
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.
CE REQUIRED: 4 hours per biennial renewal — 1 hr Board Laws (board-only) + 3 hrs infection control. Exempt: age 65+, 30+ years.
Fee changes eff. Jan 2025: exam app $55 (was up to $90), renewal $65 (was $110).
HB 158 (passed, awaiting signature): Would lower min age 18→16, eliminate 200-hr re-exam penalty, create temp work permits.
Board-administered exams (not NIC).
Reciprocity: $300 fee, no exam required.
Cosmetology/hair designer crossover: 1,000 hours (instead of 1,800).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Ohio.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#34 of 36
Salary
#11 of 36
Cost
#4 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$44,090
25th percentile
Median
$46,930
+20% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$57,190
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: Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 66–106 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board — 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.
Accessed 2026-03-23
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Accessed 2026-03-23
Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board confirmed
Accessed 2026-02-26
Single barber license tier
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop license requirements from Ohio code
Accessed 2026-02-26
Crossover hour reductions in Ohio code
Accessed 2026-02-26
Unified school license and crossover details
Accessed 2026-02-26
Ohio requires 1,800 hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.