StateLicensed

Barber License Requirements in Ohio

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1800 hrs
Upfront cost
$140
Exam
Ohio barber examination (written and practical)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, Eighth grade education or equivalent (as determined by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce or equivalent body). ORC 4709.07: at least 16 years of age (lowered by HB 158, effective 10/24/2024), eighth-grade education, proof of legal residence, and submission to a photograph and biometric fingerprint scan taken by the board — the statute frames the scan as an application/identity requirement, not a criminal-history check, and no criminal background check requirement appears in the section. codes.ohio.gov blocks automated access; verified via Wayback snapshot (closest capture 2025-12-15). [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1800 hours of training at a state-approved program. ORC 4709.07 (effective 10/24/2024, HB 158): graduation with at least 1,800 hours of board-approved training from a school — or 1,000 hours if the applicant holds a current Ohio cosmetology or hair designer license (crossover). No apprenticeship path; HB 158 also added temporary pre-examination work permits ($15). Statute page verified via archive snapshot 2025-12-15 (codes.ohio.gov intermittently unreachable to automated fetches). [1]

  3. 3

    Ohio barber examination (written and practical)

    Pass the Ohio barber examination (written and practical) (fee: $55). Written and practical sections administered directly by the board (no third-party testing vendor) Initial application to take the barber examination under ORC 4709.07 is $55; retakes $35 per section; $50 if a no-show (OAC 4713-1-17, effective 1/2/2025). Fee rule verified via archive snapshot 2026-02-08. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board with the $55 application fee. [2]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board issues your Barber License for Ohio.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $55
License fee [2] $30
Renewal fee [2] $65
Ohio barber examination (written and practical) [2] $55
Temporary pre-examination work permit [2] $15
Barber reciprocity license issuance (ORC 4709.08) [2] $70
Lapsed renewal fee per elapsed period (restoration) [2] $45

Per OAC 4713-1-17 (effective 1/2/2025): $55 initial barber exam application, $30 barber license issuance under ORC 4709.07, and $65 renewal for licenses issued or in escrow after June 30, 2025 (the barber biennial renewal was $110 prior to that date). Rule verified via archive snapshot 2026-02-08.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 4 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Barber licenses run on a biennial period ending August 31 of even-numbered years; renewal is $65 (post-June 30, 2025). CE per OAC 4713-21-03 (effective 1/2/2025): 1 hour of Ohio laws/rules updates plus 3 hours of safety and infection control per biennial period, completed by August 15 of even-numbered years for barbers; first-time licensees are exempt (other than human-trafficking training) until the period after initial licensure. CE rule verified via archive snapshot 2026-05-12.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

ORC 4709.07(E) requires the board to license out-of-state barbers under Ohio's universal license recognition law (Chapter 4796) — either holding a barber license in another state, or satisfactory work experience/certification from a state that does not license barbers. Reciprocity license issuance is $70 (OAC 4713-1-17). No interstate compact covers barbering. codes.ohio.gov blocks automated access; verified via Wayback snapshot (closest capture 2025-12-15).

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

Cost calculator

  • $55
  • $30
  • $55
Total$140

Frequently asked questions

How many hours of barber school does Ohio require?

1,800 hours of board-approved training — reduced to 1,000 hours if you already hold a current Ohio cosmetology or hair designer license (ORC 4709.07).

Who administers Ohio's barber exam?

The Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board develops and administers both the written and practical exams itself — Ohio does not use a third-party vendor like PSI or Pearson VUE. The initial exam application is $55.

Can I work before passing the exam?

Yes — HB 158 (effective October 24, 2024) created a temporary pre-examination work permit ($15) under ORC 4709.071.

What are Ohio's renewal and CE requirements for barbers?

Licenses renew biennially (period ends August 31 of even-numbered years) for $65. Each period requires 4 CE hours: 3 hours of safety/infection control plus 1 hour of Ohio laws and rules (the laws hour is offered only by the board), completed by August 15 of the even-numbered year.

Does Ohio recognize out-of-state barber licenses?

Yes — under Ohio's universal license recognition law (Chapter 4796), the board licenses barbers who hold a license in another state or have qualifying experience from a state that doesn't license barbering; issuance costs $70.

Sources

  1. [1] codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4709.07 — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4713-1-17 — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4713-21-03 — accessed 2026-07-11