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West Virginia barber license — 1,200 training hours, exam details, fees ($144), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
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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
1,200 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$144
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
1 year (annual — expires January 1)
Renewal Cycle
4 hrs
CE Required
Minimum Age
Varies
Education Level
Not specified
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
TB test (Certificate of Health) required.
Total Training Hours
1,200 hours
Board-approved barber school
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,400 hours required
2,400 hours. Supervising barber must have owned shop for 5+ years.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact the Board for current policy
Curriculum Includes
West Virginia Barber Written Examination
Written and practical exams administered by DL Roope Administration, Inc. Must score 70% or better to pass.
West Virginia Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on practical examination of barbering skills.
Haircutting, shaving, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, scalp treatments, and facial treatments for compensation. West Virginia offers two barber training tracks: 1,200 hours without chemical services and 1,500 hours with chemical services (coloring, perming).
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Registration/application fee | $10 |
Exam Fee Examination fee covering both written and practical exams | $99 |
License Fee | $35 |
Total Government Fees Registration ($10) + exam ($99) + license ($35) | $144 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000–$15,000
Varies by school and program; NOT a government fee
West Virginia accepts licensed barbers from other states by reciprocity transfer.
Additional Requirements: Out-of-state reciprocity transfer fee is $100. Must provide verification of out-of-state license.
West Virginia maintains separate barber and cosmetology licenses under the same Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. Each license has its own scope of practice and training requirements.
Initial License Term
1 year (expires January 1 annually)
Renewal Cycle
1 year (annual — expires January 1)
Renewal Fee
$35
Continuing Education
4 hours — 4 hours annually. 20+ years licensure: 3 hours sanitation every other year instead.
Late Renewal Fee
$10/month (capped at $205)
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $90 (Initial shop license fee ($50 inspection + $40 shop license). Annual renewal is $40.)
Barbershops must be separately licensed. Initial shop license is $90 ($50 opening inspection + $40 license). Annual shop renewal is $40 (due July 1). Shops must meet health and safety standards.
West Virginia is distinctive for offering two barber training tracks: a 1,200-hour track without chemical services and a 1,500-hour track that includes chemical services like hair coloring and perming. This allows barbers to choose their scope based on training investment. The state also uniquely requires a current TB test for licensure. Barbers with 20+ years of experience get reduced CE requirements (3-hour sanitation course biennially instead of annual 4-hour CE).
MULTI-TIER: Barber (1,200 hrs, no chemicals) / Barber with chemical services (1,500 hrs).
CE REQUIRED: 4 hours annually. 20+ years licensure: 3 hrs sanitation every other year instead.
Annual renewal — expires January 1.
Three exams: NIC written + NIC practical + WV state law exam (30 min).
Passing score: 70%.
TB test (Certificate of Health) required.
Apprenticeship: 2,400 hrs; supervisor must have owned shop 5+ years.
Total fees: $144.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in West Virginia.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#18 of 36
Salary
#25 of 36
Cost
#13 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$30,040
25th percentile
Median
$34,360
-12% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$45,310
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
40 employed in this state
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: West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 56–91 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-23
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Accessed 2026-02-26
$100 reciprocity transfer fee
Accessed 2026-02-26
Two-track system rather than master barber tier
Accessed 2026-02-26
West Virginia requires 1,200 hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.