Barber License Requirements in West Virginia
- Training hours
- 1200 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $35
- Exam
- West Virginia Barber Examination (theory and practical)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 1 year
- Issuing board
- West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, High school diploma, GED, or a passing score on the US Department of Education-approved 'ability to benefit' test. W. Va. Code §30-27-8 also requires good moral character, a certificate of health from a licensed physician, US citizenship or employment eligibility, and payment of fees. No criminal background check is required — the standard is 'good moral character.' Statute verified via archive snapshot 2025-11-09 (code.wvlegislature.gov blocks automated fetches). [4]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 1200 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,200 hours of barbering training at a Board-approved licensed school (schools are approved by the WV Council for Community and Technical College Education or Department of Education per W. Va. Code §30-27-8). Students must obtain a student registration and a physician's certificate of health before enrolling. W. Va. Code §30-27-8a authorizes a barber apprenticeship program (apprentice must be 16+, work under direct supervision of a licensed barber with 5+ years' experience; the statute sets no hour count — the Board's rules govern program details). A 'barber crossover' license exists for licensed cosmetologists adding barbering. [1]
- 3
West Virginia Barber Examination (theory and practical)
Pass the West Virginia Barber Examination (theory and practical). Candidates apply for examination with the Board's third-party examiner, Prov (provexam.com), after completing training hours. W. Va. Code §30-27-8 requires passing an examination meeting national standards. The exam fee is paid to Prov and is not published on the Board's fee schedule, so fee is null. [1]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists with the $35 application fee. [2]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists issues your Barber (Professional License) for West Virginia.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | $35 |
| License fee [2] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [2] | $35 |
| West Virginia Barber Examination (theory and practical) [1] | None specified |
| Reciprocity (out-of-state license transfer) [2] | $100 |
| Monthly late renewal fee (capped, per Board schedule) [2] | $10 |
The Board's fee schedule lists a $35 Application for Registration (first-time license) and $35 individual license renewal; there is no separate license-issuance fee beyond the application fee, so license is null. Prov's examination fee is paid directly to the vendor and is not on the Board's schedule.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 1 year.
Professional licenses renew annually on or before January 1 (W. Va. Code §30-27-10); the Board's renewal window runs November 1 - January 31, with a $10 late fee added each month beginning February 1. No continuing-education requirement for barbers appears in the statute or on the Board's site, so ceHours is null. Statute verified via archive snapshot (code.wvlegislature.gov blocks automated fetches; snapshots from late 2025).
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Per W. Va. Code §30-27-9 and the Board's transfer page: the Board issues a license to an applicant of good moral character holding a valid license from another state (granted after completing that state's educational requirements, no pending charges, never revoked) who is 18+, meets the education requirement, submits a physician's health certificate, and pays the $100 reciprocity fee. Required documents: license certification from the current state and training verification from the training state. Applicants holding an expired out-of-state license may receive a provisional license that converts to a full license after one complaint-free year working under supervision. The Board also recognizes reciprocity for military barbers for the state examination. No interstate barbering compact exists.
4 state-approved training providers in West Virginia — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $35
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does West Virginia require for a barber license?
1,200 hours at a Board-approved licensed barber school. A statutorily authorized apprenticeship pathway also exists, run under Board rules with a licensed sponsor who has at least five years' experience.
Who administers West Virginia's barber exam?
Prov, Inc. — the Board's third-party examiner. You apply for the examination through Prov (provexam.com) after completing your training hours.
How do I renew my West Virginia barber license?
Renew online or by mail annually — licenses renew on or before January 1, the renewal window opens November 1, and a $10 monthly late fee starts February 1. Renewal costs $35.
How do I transfer my out-of-state barber license to West Virginia?
Request a license certification from your current state and training verification from the state where you trained, then submit the Reciprocity Application with the $100 fee. You must be 18+, have a diploma/GED (or ability-to-benefit test), and provide a physician's certificate of health.
What are the basic eligibility requirements for a WV barber license?
Be at least 18, have a high school diploma/GED or pass the ability-to-benefit test, be of good moral character, graduate from an approved school, pass the exam, submit a physician's certificate of health, and be a US citizen or eligible for US employment.
Sources
- [1] wvbbc.com/License-Services/How-To-Become-Licensed — accessed 2026-07-11
- [2] wvbbc.com/License-Services/Fees — accessed 2026-07-11
- [3] code.wvlegislature.gov/30-27-10/ — accessed 2026-07-11
- [4] code.wvlegislature.gov/30-27-8/ — accessed 2026-07-11
- [5] wvbbc.com/License-Services/Transfer-License-to-WV — accessed 2026-07-11