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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology – Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
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.
1,100 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$299
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (by last day of month of issuance)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
Varies
Education Level
Not specified for barber (may vary by school)
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Must declare misdemeanors within 2 years and felonies within 20 years.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,100 hours
Licensed Virginia barber school or registered apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,000 hours required
2,000 hours (18 months; minimum 144 hours instructional per year).
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact DPOR for current policy
Curriculum Includes
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Virginia Barber Written Examination
Written examination covering barber theory, sanitation, and Virginia regulations.
Virginia Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills including haircutting, shaving, and sanitation procedures.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 29/100
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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Haircutting, shaving, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, and scalp treatments for compensation. Barbers in Virginia do not perform chemical services (coloring, perming) without a master barber license.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Increased from $90 eff. Sept 2024 | $105 |
Exam Fee Written exam ($99) + practical exam ($95), paid separately to exam vendor | $194.00 ($99 written + $95 practical) |
License Fee The $95 application fee covers the initial license issuance | Included in application fee |
Total Government Fees Written ($99) + practical ($95) + application ($105) | $299 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000–$18,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Title: Master Barber
Virginia accepts licensed barbers from other states by endorsement. Applicants must hold a valid license from another state with training hours meeting or exceeding Virginia's requirements.
Additional Requirements: Must submit endorsement application form, verification of out-of-state license, and applicable fees.
Virginia maintains separate barber, master barber, and cosmetology licenses under the same Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR). Each license has its own scope of practice. The standard barber license does not allow chemical services; those require a master barber license. The dual Barber/Master Barber 1,500-hour program allows both scopes.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Virginia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (by last day of month of issuance)
Renewal Fee
$105
Continuing Education
Not required
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $220 (Initial barbershop license application fee; reinstatement fee is $440)
Barbershops must be separately licensed through DPOR. The initial shop license application fee is $220. Shops must meet health, safety, and sanitation standards.
Virginia uniquely distinguishes between Barber (1,100 hours) and Master Barber (additional 400 hours), where the standard barber license does NOT permit chemical services like hair coloring or perming. This is unusual as most states allow all barbers to perform coloring. Virginia also offers a dual Barber/Master Barber 1,500-hour program. The Board is currently undergoing regulatory amendments with changes effective December 1, 2025, and new curriculum requirements being phased in through 2026.
MULTI-TIER: Barber (1,100 hrs, no chemicals) / Master Barber (1,500 hrs, chemical texture) / Dual (1,500 hrs, both).
Exam vendor changed to Prov in 2024 (was PCS/Ergometrics).
VA among first 10 states to enact Cosmetology Licensure Compact.
Updated curriculum requirements eff. Dec 1, 2025; schools must submit by March 1, 2026.
Criminal history: declare misdemeanors within 2 yrs, felonies within 20 yrs.
Endorsement: 80%+ of VA hours needed; if less, 5 yrs experience may substitute.
Total fees: $299.
Barber Schools in Virginia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (you) | $289 | 43–71 wks | |
| District of Columbia | $230 | 56–91 wks | → |
| Kentucky | $500 | 56–91 wks | → |
| Maryland | $127 | 46–76 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $125 | 57–93 wks | → |
See how Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Virginia.
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Barber requirements in Virginia verified against Board for Barbers and Cosmetology – Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Biennial renewal
Accessed 2026-02-26
Endorsement application form
Accessed 2026-02-26
Shop licensing requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
Separate barber and cosmetology licenses
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Virginia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Virginia →
Transfer your Barber license from Virginia to: Kentucky → | Maryland → | North Carolina → | Tennessee → | West Virginia → | District of Columbia →