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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 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$170
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires April 30, even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
8th grade education or equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Criminal history check required from every state lived/worked in past 5 years.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1 hours
Barber school or barber shop apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
1,250 hours required
Pennsylvania allows the 1,250 hours of training to be completed in a licensed barber shop under a licensed barber manager or barber teacher, as an alternative to barber school. The training must be completed within a minimum of 9 months.
Online Hours Allowed
Theory hours only; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
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PA Barber Theory Examination
130 questions (110 scored + 20 pretest), 2 hours 15 min. Available in English and Spanish. One of the largest exams nationally.
Pennsylvania Barber Practical Examination
Practical exam in English only.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 32/100
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 using straight razors; shampooing; applying hair tonics and chemical treatments; scalp massage and treatments; and related barbering services for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $30 |
Exam Fee Theory exam ($63) + practical exam ($77), paid to Pearson VUE | $140.00 |
License Fee Application fee covers initial license issuance | Included in $33 application fee |
Total Government Fees App ($30) + theory ($63) + practical ($77) | $170 |
Barber School Tuition: $8,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Apprenticeship in a barber shop may reduce education costs.
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.
Direct reciprocity with CA, DE, ID, KS, ME, MS, MT, NM, NY, SC, SD, VA (12 states). Non-reciprocity states: endorsement with theory exam only.
Additional Requirements: Must hold active license in good standing and provide verification from originating state.
States with Specific Agreements
Cosmetologist crossover: 555 hours credited toward the 1,250 requirement, leaving 695 additional hours.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Pennsylvania with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires April 30, even-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$160
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $72 (Barbershop owner renewal fee; initial fee may differ)
Any person, partnership, or corporation desiring to operate a barber shop must first secure a license from the board. Barbershops must meet health and safety requirements and pass inspections.
Pennsylvania is notable for allowing the full 1,250-hour barber training to be completed as an apprenticeship in a licensed barber shop under a barber manager or barber teacher, making it one of the more flexible states for apprenticeship-based training. The state also has a well-defined cosmetology crossover program that credits cosmetologists with 555 hours, requiring only 695 additional barber-specific hours. Pennsylvania's Barber Manager license is a distinct tier required to manage a barbershop.
Pearson VUE exam — 130 questions (110 scored + 20 pretest), one of the largest nationally.
Written exam available in English and Spanish. Practical in English only.
Criminal history check from every state lived/worked in past 5 years.
Cosmetologist crossover: 555 hours credit toward 1,250 requirement.
Extensive reciprocity: direct with 12 states (CA, DE, ID, KS, ME, MS, MT, NM, NY, SC, SD, VA).
9-month temporary license for graduates awaiting exam.
Total fees: $170.
Barber Schools in Pennsylvania
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Pennsylvania.
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Barber requirements in Pennsylvania verified against Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
1,250-hour requirement with school or shop training options
Accessed 2026-02-26
Training can be in school or shop; minimum 9 months
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop license requirement from PA code
Accessed 2026-02-26
Cosmetology to barber crossover: 555 hours credit, 695 remaining
Accessed 2026-02-26
Crossover program details
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Pennsylvania? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Pennsylvania →
Transfer your Barber license from Pennsylvania to: Delaware → | Maryland → | New Jersey → | New York → | Ohio → | West Virginia →