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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
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.
1,000 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$210
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (March 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
4 hrs
CE Required
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalency
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
1,000 hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,000 hours required
2,000 total hours (288 hrs classroom + 1,712 hrs practical training).
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact DSPS for current policy
Curriculum Includes
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WI Barber Written Examination
130 questions, 2 hrs 15 min — tied with PA for one of the largest nationally.
Wisconsin Barber Practical Examination (NIC)
Hands-on practical examination of barbering skills. Administered by D.L. Roope Administrations Inc.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 26/100
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, scalp treatments, and facial treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial barber credential application fee | $60 |
Exam Fee Estimated combined written ($75) + practical ($75) exam fee paid to D.L. Roope. Exact fees available on DL Roope website. | $150 |
License Fee The $60 application fee covers initial credential issuance | Included in application fee |
Total Government Fees Application ($60) + estimated exam fees ($150). Exact exam fees available from DL Roope. | $210 |
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.
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Endorsement requires 4,000 hours of licensed work experience + 1-hour WI law course. No reciprocal licensure.
Additional Requirements: Must complete 1-hour CE on Wisconsin statutes and code. Must provide verification of out-of-state license and training hours.
Wisconsin maintains separate barber and cosmetology licenses under the same department (DSPS). Each license has its own scope of practice and training requirements.
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Initial License Term
2 years (expires March 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (March 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$82
Continuing Education
4 hours — 4 hours per biennial renewal.
Late Renewal Fee
$25
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $11 (Online barbering establishment license application fee)
Barbering establishments must be separately licensed through DSPS. The application fee is $11 when applying online through the LicensE portal. Shops must meet health, safety, and sanitation standards.
Wisconsin has a notably detailed apprenticeship program requiring 288 hours of theory plus 1,712 hours of practical training (2,000 total), with specific requirements of at least 32 hours per week over 2-4 years, supervised by a barber with at least 2,000 hours of professional practice. The state's barbering establishment license fee of $11 is among the lowest in the nation. Wisconsin does not offer reciprocal licensure, and out-of-state barbers must complete a 1-hour Wisconsin statutes and code CE course as part of endorsement.
CE REQUIRED: 4 hours per biennial renewal.
Written exam has 130 questions — tied with PA for one of the largest nationally.
Reciprocity by endorsement: 4,000 hours licensed experience + 1-hour WI law course.
Apprenticeship: 2,000 total hours (288 classroom + 1,712 practical).
No direct reciprocal licensure.
Renewal: $82 (late: $107).
Barber Schools in Wisconsin
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
See how Wisconsin compares: Barber License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare barber requirements across all states →
Barber licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in Wisconsin verified against Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Apprenticeship requires 288 hours theory + 1,712 hours practical
Accessed 2026-02-26
Administrative code on barber training
Accessed 2026-02-26
DL Roope exam scheduling
Accessed 2026-02-26
$60 initial credential fee
Accessed 2026-02-26
Endorsement instructions
Accessed 2026-02-26
Establishment license instructions
Accessed 2026-02-26
Moving to Wisconsin? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Wisconsin →
Transfer your Barber license from Wisconsin to: Illinois → | Iowa → | Michigan → | Minnesota →