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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.
1,250 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$115 ($80 application/license + $35 exam fee)
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (eff. Nov 2025; previously annual)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16 (to enroll) / 17 (to take exam, or HS grad) years old
Education Level
8th grade or equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,250 hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,250 hours required
2,250 hours (eff. July 2025; previously 3,000 hours).
Online Hours Allowed
Theory hours only; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
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Oklahoma Barber Written Examination
Written exam testing theoretical knowledge. Must score at least 75% to pass. Exam registration form and $35 fee must be submitted within 10 days of course completion.
Oklahoma Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills including haircutting, shaving, and sanitation. Must score at least 75% to pass.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 31/100
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, and styling of hair; trimming and grooming of beards and mustaches; shampooing; blow-dry styling; applying hair tonics and chemical treatments; scalp massage and treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Individual barber license fee | $80 |
Exam Fee | $35 |
License Fee Individual license | $80 |
Total Government Fees Exam ($35) + license ($80) | $115 ($80 application/license + $35 exam fee) |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000–$15,000
Varies by school and program; NOT a government fee. Standard barber program is 1,250 hours (chemical-use) or 1,000 hours (nonchemical-use) per HB 2141.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Title: Master Barber
Master barber license requires additional experience beyond the standard barber license.
Oklahoma accepts licensed barbers from other states by endorsement if they meet the state's training requirements.
Additional Requirements: Must hold an active license in good standing and provide verification from the originating state.
Oklahoma permits crossover licensing between barber and cosmetology licenses. Individuals holding one license may complete the required crossover training and examinations to obtain the other. SB1475 also exempted blow-dry styling, makeup application, and hairbraiding from licensing requirements.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
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Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (eff. Nov 2025; previously annual)
Renewal Fee
$80
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $120 (initial); $90 (renewal) (Establishment initial license fee; $90 for renewal)
Barbershops must be separately licensed as establishments and pass health/safety inspections. Initial establishment fee is $120; renewal is $90.
Oklahoma underwent major licensing reform with HB 2141 (effective July 2025), which reduced the standard barber license from 1,500 to 1,250 hours (chemical-use) and created a new 1,000-hour nonchemical-use barber license. The bill also reduced apprenticeship hours from 3,000 to 2,250, changed renewal from annual to biennial, and introduced eyelash extension specialist certification. The 75% passing score for both exams is higher than the typical 70% seen in most states.
MAJOR CHANGES (HB 2141, eff. 2024-2025): Hours reduced 1,500→1,250 (chemical) / 1,000 (nonchemical). Apprenticeship 3,000→2,250.
Renewal changed from annual to biennial (eff. Nov 2025 per SB1475). Fee: $80 biennial.
TWO TIERS: chemical-use (1,250 hrs) and nonchemical-use (1,000 hrs).
Master Barber/Cosmetology License also available: $80.
Board-administered exams (not NIC).
Reciprocity fee: $180.
Board operations extended to 2026 with potential significant changes.
Barber Schools in Oklahoma
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
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Barber requirements in Oklahoma verified against Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Barber license fee
Accessed 2026-02-26
General reciprocity information
Accessed 2026-02-26
Crossover licensing and SB1475 changes
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Oklahoma? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Oklahoma →
Transfer your Barber license from Oklahoma to: Arkansas → | Colorado → | Kansas → | Missouri → | New Mexico → | Texas →