StateLicensed

Barber License Requirements in New York

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$55
Exam
Barber practical examination
Renewal cycle
Every 4 years
Issuing board
New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 17 years old, Evidence of elementary education; one-time course on contagious diseases and sanitation/sterilization required. GBL § 434 allows 'any person over the age of seventeen years' to apply. No criminal background check is required; applicants must instead submit a health certification completed by a physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner (application due within 30 days of the health certification), a child-support statement (mandatory under NY General Obligations Law regardless of obligations), and good-moral-character documentation. [3]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete the required training. New York sets no statutory minimum hour count for barber training. Qualifying paths (GBL Art. 28; DOS 'Become a Barber'): completion of an approved New York barber school course; OR two years as a registered Barber Apprentice under licensed-barber supervision; OR three years of professional barbering experience in another state/country (with two Experience Statements); OR reciprocity from Maine, New Mexico, or Pennsylvania. All applicants must complete a one-time approved course on transmission of contagious diseases and proper sanitation/sterilization methods. [1]

  3. 3

    Barber practical examination

    Pass the Barber practical examination (fee: $15). In-person practical demonstration at DOS exam sites; government-issued photo ID required Exam scheduled through the DOS Appearance Enhancement and Barber Licensing System; must be passed within 2 years of application. The $15 statutory fee covers a written or practical examination (GBL § 440); the practical exam requirement is waived for reciprocity applicants from ME, NM, or PA. [1]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services with the $40 application fee. [2]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services issues your Barber License for New York.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $40
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] $40
Barber practical examination [1] $15
Practical examination fee [2] $15
Barber apprentice registration (per GBL § 440) [2] $20
Duplicate license [2] $10

The $40 initial application fee is the statutory license fee — GBL § 440: 'The fee for a license to engage in the practice of barbering shall be forty dollars and for each renewal thereof the fee shall be forty dollars'; there is no separate issuance fee. A $10 penalty applies if renewed more than one year late.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 4 years.

GBL § 440 sets fees 'for licenses issued for the license period of four years.' Renewal is $40, available 90 days before expiration, online via New York Business Express. No continuing-education requirement appears in the DOS barber FAQ or Article 28; an operator's license lapses to inactive after being expired more than 5 years.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Per the DOS barber FAQ, New York has reciprocal agreements for barbers with Maine, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico — the practical exam is waived with an original license certificate bearing a raised seal from those states. Barbers from other states can qualify through the 3-years-of-experience path with two Experience Statements. No interstate compact covers barbering.

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

Cost calculator

  • $40
  • $15
Total$55

Frequently asked questions

Does New York require a set number of barber school hours?

No. The Department of State sets no minimum clock-hour requirement — you qualify through an approved NY barber school course, a two-year registered barber apprenticeship, three years of out-of-state experience, or reciprocity from Maine, New Mexico, or Pennsylvania.

Why are New York barbers licensed by the Department of State instead of a barber board?

New York regulates barbering under General Business Law Article 28, administered by the Department of State's Division of Licensing Services — not a standalone barber board. Applications and exam scheduling run through the DOS Appearance Enhancement and Barber Licensing System.

How long is the apprenticeship path?

Two years working as a registered New York Barber Apprentice under the direct supervision of a licensed barber, plus the one-time contagious-disease and sanitation course, before you can take the barber exam.

What does a New York barber license cost?

$40 initial application (which is the statutory license fee), $15 for the practical exam, and $40 renewal every four years. A physician-signed health certification is also required with your application.

Does New York accept out-of-state barber licenses?

Reciprocal agreements exist with Maine, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico (practical exam waived with a raised-seal certificate). From any other state, three or more years of licensed experience plus two Experience Statements can qualify you.

Sources

  1. [1] dos.ny.gov/become-barber — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GBS/440 — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GBS/434 — accessed 2026-07-11
  4. [4] dos.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-barber — accessed 2026-07-11