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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Oregon Board of Cosmetology, Health Licensing Office (HLO), Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
786 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$200
Gov. Fees
Not available
Apprenticeship
2 years (inactive date is the last day of the month, two years from the date of issuance)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
10th 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
786 hours
Barber school
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Theory hours only; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
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Oregon Barber Written Exam
State-developed written exam (NOT NIC). Walk-in at HLO Portland, no appointment needed. 90 min. Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Oregon Barber Practical Exam
Practical exam administered by the school — not by the state or a testing vendor. School conducts as part of graduation.
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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, trimming or cutting of the beard or mustache; shampooing, styling, cutting, singeing and conditioning of the hair; massaging of the scalp, face and neck; applying facial and scalp treatments with creams, lotions, oils and other cosmetic preparations for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $75 |
Exam Fee Written ($45) + Laws ($45); practical administered by school | $90 |
License Fee Certification fee | $35 |
Total Government Fees App ($75) + written ($45) + laws ($45) + cert ($35) | $200 |
Barber School Tuition: $8,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
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.
Oregon accepts certified barbers from other states by endorsement. Applicants must provide proof of current certification and training equivalent to Oregon's requirements.
Additional Requirements: Must pass the Oregon law examination even if certified in another state.
Barber and hair design (cosmetology) are separate certifications in Oregon regulated by the same Board of Cosmetology. Each requires its own training and examination. Oregon also has separate certifications for hair design, esthetics, and nail technology.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Oregon with other states →
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Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (inactive date is the last day of the month, two years from the date of issuance)
Renewal Fee
$65
Continuing Education
Not required
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $75–$100 (Verify current shop license fee with your state barber board.)
All practitioners must provide services in a licensed facility. To obtain a facility license, the owner must be at least 18, register an assumed business name with the Secretary of State, and complete a facility license application. A freelance authorization is available for practitioners working outside of a licensed facility.
Oregon uniquely uses the term 'certification' rather than 'license' for barbers, and the certification is regulated by the Board of Cosmetology under the Oregon Health Authority's Health Licensing Office. The state requires three exams total: a barber knowledge written exam, an Oregon law written exam, and a board-approved practical exam. Practical exam scores are valid for five years. Oregon also offers a 'freelance authorization' allowing barbers to practice outside of a licensed facility, which is unusual among states. At 786 total training hours, Oregon has one of the lower hour requirements nationally.
TRAINING HOURS: 786 hours — older sources cite 1,350 or 1,500. Oregon significantly reduced hours.
Oregon uses "certification" not "license" — issues barber certifications.
Practical exam administered by the school (not state/vendor) — unusual.
Walk-in written exams at HLO Portland, M-F 9am-1pm. No appointment.
Same-day certification: pass exams + pay fees at HLO = cert issued same day.
Three exams: barber written, OR Laws and Rules, and school-administered practical.
Exams available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Failure escalation: 3 fails = additional training; 5 fails = board review.
Total fees: $200.
Barber Schools in Oregon
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon (you) | — | — | |
| California | $125 | 46–70 wks | → |
| Idaho | — | — | → |
| Nevada | — | — | → |
| Washington | $215 | 40–66 wks | → |
See how Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Oregon.
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Barber requirements in Oregon verified against Oregon Board of Cosmetology, Health Licensing Office (HLO), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Facility license requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Oregon? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Oregon →
Transfer your Barber license from Oregon to: California → | Idaho → | Nevada → | Washington →