StateLicensed

Barber License Requirements in Colorado

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1500 hrs
Upfront cost
$163
Exam
PSI National Barber Practical Test, PSI National Barber Theory (Written) Test
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure, Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Meet the eligibility requirements set by the issuing board. No minimum age for barber licensure was found in the Practice Act or 4 CCR 731-1 — left null rather than assumed. No fingerprint/criminal-history background check is required: applicants self-disclose felony convictions (the Office publishes a 'Felony Conviction & Monitoring Information' form), and Colorado's ex-offender occupational practice provisions apply. HB 06S-1009 requires proof of lawful presence in the US with secure and verifiable identity documents before a license is issued. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1500 hours of training at a state-approved program. Barber: minimum 50 credit hours or 1,500 contact hours at a school approved by DPOS or CCCS, covering treatment of hair and scalp, facial massage/treatment, facial shaving, haircutting, hairstyling, permanent waving and chemical relaxing, hair coloring, laws and rules, management/ethics, and disinfection/safe work practices (4 CCR 731-1, Rule 2.1). The Director also accepts US Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship programs approved by DPOS or CCCS, and approved internships/externships, as proof of training; no separate apprenticeship hour count is stated in the rule. [1]

  3. 3

    PSI National Barber Practical Test

    Pass the PSI National Barber Practical Test (fee: $69). Must be passed before the Theory test can be paid for and scheduled. Retake fee $67. Fees per the PSI Colorado Barber Test Taker Guide v1.4 (10/21/2025); a $32 PSI application fee is charged separately. Application and test fees are non-refundable and valid one year. [2]

  4. 4

    PSI National Barber Theory (Written) Test

    Pass the PSI National Barber Theory (Written) Test (fee: $62). Computer-based written test Taken after passing the Practical. Retake fee $60. Candidates who fail the written exam must wait at least 30 days to reschedule (4 CCR 731-1). [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure, Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA) with the $32 application fee. [2]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure, Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA) issues your Barber License for Colorado.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $32
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] None specified
PSI National Barber Practical Test [2] $69
PSI National Barber Theory (Written) Test [2] $62
PSI Barber Practical Test [2] $69
PSI Barber Theory Test [2] $62

Licensure-by-examination applications are filed with PSI ($32 application fee) rather than DORA. No separate DORA initial-license fee is stated in the PSI Test Taker Guide — successful candidates receive their license notification through the process — so license is null rather than guessed. DORA sets renewal fees administratively each cycle and no fixed barber renewal fee amount is published on the pages reviewed, so renewal is null.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Barber and cosmetology licenses renew on a fixed statewide two-year cycle — current licenses expire 3/31/2026 and can be renewed through 5/31/2026 per the Board's homepage notice (i.e. expiration on March 31 of even-numbered years). No continuing education is required for routine renewal; CE (16 or 24 hours) appears in the rules only as one option for reinstating an expired license (4 CCR 731-1, Rule 5.4). Board homepage verified via archive snapshot [2026-02-25] because dpo.colorado.gov blocks automated fetches.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

No interstate compact covers barbering. Licensure by endorsement (§12-8-118 C.R.S.; 4 CCR 731-1 Ch. 4): an applicant with a current, unrestricted license in good standing from another state/territory/foreign country qualifies by attesting to graduation from an approved school, training hours equal to or greater than Colorado's (1,500 contact hours for barber), passage of a written exam, and passage of a practical exam OR at least 1,000 hours of work experience in the 2 years preceding application. Applicants who don't meet these may be directed to take the missing exam(s) case-by-case. Endorsement applicants may not practice until the Colorado license is issued.

8 state-approved training providers in Colorado — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $32
  • $69
  • $62
Total$163

Frequently asked questions

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

A minimum of 50 credit hours or 1,500 contact hours at an approved barber program. US Department of Labor-approved apprenticeships approved by DPOS or CCCS are also accepted.

Who administers Colorado's barber exams?

PSI Services LLC, under contract with DORA. You apply through PSI ($32 application fee), pass the Practical test ($69) first, then the Theory test ($62).

When do Colorado barber licenses expire?

On a fixed statewide cycle — March 31 of even-numbered years (e.g. licenses expire 3/31/2026, renewable through 5/31/2026).

Does Colorado require continuing education for barbers?

No, not for routine renewal. Continuing education (16-24 hours) is only one of the options for reinstating a license that has already expired.

Can an out-of-state barber get a Colorado license without retesting?

Yes, by endorsement — if your license is current and in good standing, your training hours meet or exceed Colorado's 1,500, and you passed a written exam plus either a practical exam or 1,000 hours of recent work experience.

Sources

  1. [1] sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/Instructions/CO-CIB-BARBER-NEW-OCT-30.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] dpo.colorado.gov/BarberCosmetology — accessed 2026-07-11