StateLicensed

Barber License Requirements in Nebraska

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1800 hrs
Upfront cost
$220
Exam
Nebraska Registered Barber Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 17 years old, High school diploma or GED. Requirements per the Board's FAQ: at least 17 years old, high school diploma or GED, 1,800 hours of training, graduation from a Board-approved barber school, and passage of the Board's examination. No fingerprint/criminal background check requirement is published by the Board. Nebraska does not issue temporary barber licenses; a registered barber may only work in a licensed barbershop. Verified via archive snapshot 2026-02-01 (site unreachable via DNS at research time). [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1800 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,800 hours of training in, and graduation from, a school of barbering approved by the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners (max 10 hours per working day per statute). Nebraska has a standalone barber board, separate from cosmetology (which is regulated by DHHS). No apprenticeship alternative exists. A currently licensed Nebraska cosmetologist attending barber school receives 1,000 hours of credit toward the required course hours. barbers.nebraska.gov was unreachable (DNS timeout) during research; facts verified via archive snapshots dated 2026-02-01 (FAQ) and 2025-05-28 (fees). [1]

  3. 3

    Nebraska Registered Barber Examination

    Pass the Nebraska Registered Barber Examination. Two-part examination (written and practical); a candidate who fails one part retakes only the failed portion The exam is conducted by the Board itself, not an outside vendor. There is no separately itemized exam fee: the $220 Student/Examination application fee includes the two-year licensing fee (see fees), so the exam fee is recorded as null. A written-only re-examination costs $50. Results are typically returned within one week. Verified via archive snapshots (site unreachable via DNS at research time). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners with the $220 application fee. [2]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners issues your Registered Barber (Certificate of Registration to Practice Barbering) for Nebraska.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $220
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] $120
Nebraska Registered Barber Examination [2] None specified
License issuance fee [2] $10
Re-examination (written only) [2] $50
Late renewal fee [2] $30
Restoration fee (per lapsed year) [2] $35
Licensure by Reciprocity or Credentials application (includes two-year license fee) [2] $265

The $220 Student/Examination fee covers the examination application AND the initial two-year licensing fee, so no separate initial-license fee exists ('license' is null; a $10 license-issuance fee applies and is listed under other). Renewal is $120 for the two-year cycle. The $265 reciprocity fee can be higher if the applicant's home state charges Nebraska licensees more. Fee page verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-28 (barbers.nebraska.gov unreachable via DNS at research time).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

All Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years (two-year cycle); renewal is $120. No continuing-education requirement for barbers appears in the Board's FAQ, fee schedule, or statutes, so ceHours is null. Late renewal adds a $30 fee; expired licenses incur restoration fees of $35 per lapsed year. Verified via archive snapshots (site unreachable via DNS at research time).

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Nebraska has reciprocity with many states, evaluated case by case — applicants submit the 'Licensure by Reciprocity or Credentials' application plus a license certification sent from the current licensing state; both forms are required. The application fee is $265 including the two-year licensing fee, or more if the applicant's home state charges Nebraska licensees a higher amount (licensure by credentials is governed by Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-239). No interstate barbering compact exists or is referenced. Verified via archive snapshots (site unreachable via DNS at research time).

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

Cost calculator

  • $220
Total$220

Frequently asked questions

What are Nebraska's requirements for a barber license?

A high school diploma or GED, being at least 17 years old, 1,800 hours of training at a Board-approved barber school, graduation from that school, and passing the examination conducted by the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners.

Who administers the Nebraska barber exam?

The Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners itself. If you fail one part of the two-part exam, you only retake the failed portion; a written-only retake costs $50.

When do Nebraska barber licenses expire?

All Board of Barber Examiners licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years. The two-year renewal fee is $120, with a $30 late fee and $35-per-year restoration fees on expired licenses.

I'm a licensed Nebraska cosmetologist — is there a shortcut to a barber license?

Yes. A currently licensed Nebraska cosmetologist attending barber school receives 1,000 hours of credit toward the required course hours, then must pass the registered barber examination.

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

Nebraska has reciprocity with many states, handled case by case. You must submit the Licensure by Reciprocity or Credentials application ($265 including the two-year license fee) plus a license certification from your current state.

Sources

  1. [1] barbers.nebraska.gov/faqs.html — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] barbers.nebraska.gov/fees.html — accessed 2026-07-11