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Wisconsin barber license — 1,000 training hours, exam details, fees ($210), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Governing Authority
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
47% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. 2 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Wisconsin.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#4 of 36
Salary
#25 of 36
Cost
#25 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$29,510
25th percentile
Median
$34,360
-12% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$47,260
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
350 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: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 40–66 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
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
Wisconsin requires 1,000 hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.