Barber License Requirements by State
Barbers cut and style hair, trim beards, and perform shaves and related grooming services — historically under a scope of practice distinct from cosmetology, though many states now issue combined or reciprocal licenses. Licensure requires graduating from a state-approved barber program — commonly 1,000 to 1,500 hours — and passing a written and practical exam, typically administered through PSI Services or the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), with training-hour minimums and renewal terms varying by state.
- States verified
- 51
- Median wage (BLS 2024)
- $38,960/yr
- Employment (BLS 2024)
- 76,000
- Outlook (10-yr)
- +4.1%
Pick your state
Requirements at a glance
| State | Training hours | Upfront cost | Renewal cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1000 hrs | $255 | Every 2 years |
| Alaska | 1650 hrs | $420 | Every 2 years |
| Arizona | 1200 hrs | $217 | Every 2 years |
| Arkansas | 1500 hrs | $125 | Every 1 year |
| California | 1000 hrs | $125 | Every 2 years |
| Colorado | 1500 hrs | $163 | Every 2 years |
| Connecticut | 1000 hrs | $100 | Every 2 years |
| Delaware | 1250 hrs | $128 | Every 2 years |
| District of Columbia | 1500 hrs | $267 | Every 2 years |
| Florida | 900 hrs | — | Every 2 years |
| Georgia | 1500 hrs | — | Every 2 years |
| Hawaii | 1500 hrs | $36 | Every 2 years |
| Idaho | 900 hrs | $90 | Every 2 years |
| Illinois | 1500 hrs | $142 | Every 2 years |
| Indiana | 1500 hrs | $40 | — |
| Iowa | 1550 hrs | $60 | Every 2 years |
| Kansas | 1200 hrs | $230 | Every 1 year |
| Kentucky | 1500 hrs | $450 | Every 1 year |
| Louisiana | 1500 hrs | $40 | Every 1 year |
| Maine | 800 hrs | $20 | Every 1 year |
| Maryland | 1200 hrs | $150 | Every 2 years |
| Massachusetts | 1000 hrs | $20 | Every 2 years |
| Michigan | 1800 hrs | $80 | Every 2 years |
| Minnesota | 1500 hrs | $85 | Every 1 year |
| Mississippi | 1500 hrs | $75 | Every 2 years |
| Missouri | 1000 hrs | $166 | Every 2 years |
| Montana | 1100 hrs | $100 | Every 2 years |
| Nebraska | 1800 hrs | $220 | Every 2 years |
| Nevada | 1500 hrs | $100 | Every 2 years |
| New Hampshire | 800 hrs | $55 | Every 2 years |
| New Jersey | 900 hrs | $143 | Every 2 years |
| New Mexico | 1200 hrs | $303 | Every 2 years |
| New York | — | $55 | Every 4 years |
| North Carolina | 1528 hrs | $220 | Every 1 year |
| North Dakota | 1100 hrs | $100 | Every 1 year |
| Ohio | 1800 hrs | $140 | Every 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 1000 hrs | $70 | Every 2 years |
| Oregon | 746 hrs | $155 | Every 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | 1250 hrs | $173 | Every 2 years |
| Rhode Island | 1500 hrs | $25 | Every 2 years |
| South Carolina | 1500 hrs | — | Every 2 years |
| South Dakota | 1500 hrs | $225 | Every 1 year |
| Tennessee | 1500 hrs | $60 | Every 2 years |
| Texas | 1000 hrs | $181 | Every 2 years |
| Utah | 130 hrs | $60 | Every 2 years |
| Vermont | 750 hrs | $120 | Every 2 years |
| Virginia | 750 hrs | $314 | Every 2 years |
| Washington | 1000 hrs | $35 | Every 2 years |
| West Virginia | 1200 hrs | $35 | Every 1 year |
| Wisconsin | 1000 hrs | — | Every 2 years |
| Wyoming | 1000 hrs | $125 | Every 1 year |
Upfront cost = application fee + license fee + exam fees, from each state's verified fee schedule. States marked "coming soon" are being verified against their issuing board and will be published shortly.