StateLicensed

Barber License Requirements in Arizona

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1200 hrs
Upfront cost
$217
Exam
Barber Written (Theory) Examination, Barber Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, Two years of high school (10 credits) or equivalent (GED, homeschool affidavit) if age 16-17; applicants 18 or older automatically satisfy the education requirement. A.R.S. licensing qualifications: at least 16 years old with two years of high school or its equivalent (A.A.C. R4-10-101(35)), OR at least 18 years old with no education proof needed. Application requires proof of US citizenship/work authorization (passport, AZ driver's license, or birth certificate plus photo ID) and a license photo. No fingerprint or criminal-history background check is listed among application requirements; applicants disclose prior license discipline. Verified via archive snapshot [2025-06-18]. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1200 hours of training at a state-approved program. Graduation from a 1,200-hour barbering course at a board-licensed school (or a school in another state/country with substantially the same requirements). For comparison, Arizona's other personal licenses require: cosmetology 1,500 hours, hairstyling 1,000, aesthetics 600, nail technology 600. The statute's apprenticeship alternative (US DOL/DES-approved) is written for aesthetics only — no apprenticeship route to a barber license is listed. Board pages 403 automated fetches; verified via archive snapshot [2025-06-18]. [1]

  3. 3

    Barber Written (Theory) Examination

    Pass the Barber Written (Theory) Examination (fee: $100). Fee paid directly to the third-party testing organization. Board fee page verified via archive snapshot [2025-06-06]. [2]

  4. 4

    Barber Practical Examination

    Pass the Barber Practical Examination (fee: $77). Hands-on skills exam; fee paid directly to the third-party testing organization. Board fee page verified via archive snapshot [2025-06-06]. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board with the $40 application fee. [2]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board issues your Barber License for Arizona.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $40
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] $80
Barber Written (Theory) Examination [2] $100
Barber Practical Examination [2] $77
Reciprocity & Universal Recognition (barber) [2] $175
Service fee added to all Board transactions [2] $3

The $40 'Personal License Initial' fee is paid with the barber application — there is no separate license-issuance fee beyond it, so license is null. Delinquent (late) renewal penalty ranges $25-$75. All fees carry a $3 service fee. Verified via archive snapshots [2025-06-06 fees page, 2025-06-18 application page] because bcb.az.gov blocks automated fetches.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Barber licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday (an initial license may run less than a full two years — it expires on the second birthday after issuance). Renewal fee $80, delinquent penalty $25-$75. No continuing-education hour requirement for barber renewal was found on the Board's renewal or FAQ pages, so ceHours is null. Verified via archive snapshot [2025-06-18].

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

No interstate compact covers barbering. Arizona offers license-for-license reciprocity: an out-of-state (or foreign) barber with a current license in good standing, issued by an agency with licensing and disciplinary power, qualifies if their school hours are similar to Arizona's and they passed the necessary exams. Applicants complete an online Infection Protection & Law Review class, have their state send an official license verification directly to the Board, and pay the $175 barber reciprocity fee. Arizona also implements SCRA license portability for military members and spouses relocating on orders. Verified via archive snapshot [2026-01-06].

1 state-approved training provider in Arizona — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $40
  • $100
  • $77
Total$217

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Arizona require for a barber license?

1,200 hours at a board-licensed barbering school. (Cosmetology requires 1,500 hours and hairstyling 1,000 hours by comparison.)

Who administers the Arizona barber licensing exams?

Professional Credential Services (PCS), a Virtual Inc. company — the written exam is $100 and the practical exam is $77, both paid directly to the testing organization.

How much does an Arizona barber license cost?

$40 for the initial personal license application and $80 for each two-year renewal, plus a $3 service fee on Board transactions. Exam fees ($100 written, $77 practical) are separate.

When does an Arizona barber license expire?

Every two years on your birthday. An initial license may be valid less than a full two years, expiring on your second birthday after issuance.

Can I transfer an out-of-state barber license to Arizona?

Yes — Arizona offers license-for-license reciprocity if your license is current and in good standing, your school hours are similar to Arizona's, and you passed the necessary exams. You must complete an online Infection Protection & Law Review class and pay a $175 reciprocity fee.

Sources

  1. [1] bcb.az.gov/apply/personal-license — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] bcb.az.gov/resources/fees — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] bcb.az.gov/reciprocity — accessed 2026-07-11