StateLicensed

Barber License Requirements in Wisconsin

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1000 hrs
Upfront cost
—
Exam
Wisconsin Barber Written (Theory) Examination (NIC Barber Styling), Wisconsin Barber Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Barbering Examining Board

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    High school graduation or DPI-determined equivalency; OR participation in a program approved by the Examining Board; OR at least 18 years old and meeting the ability-to-benefit rule. DSPS states the education requirement disjunctively (diploma/equivalency, approved program, or 18+ with ability-to-benefit), so there is no absolute minimum age — minAge is null. No criminal background check appears among DSPS's barber application requirements; Wisconsin applications include conviction-record questions reviewed case-by-case. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1000 hours of training at a state-approved program. A course of instruction in barbering of at least 1,000 training hours in a barbering (or cosmetology) school. Apprenticeship alternative under Wis. Stat. § 454.26: at least 1,712 hours of practical training plus at least 288 hours of school instruction (2,000 total), at least 32 hours of training per week, completed within 4 years, under an apprentice contract with the Department of Workforce Development and supervision by a licensed barber or cosmetologist with 2,000+ hours of practice. [1]

  3. 3

    Wisconsin Barber Written (Theory) Examination (NIC Barber Styling)

    Pass the Wisconsin Barber Written (Theory) Examination (NIC Barber Styling). Candidates schedule with DSPS's contracted vendor, D.L. Roope Administrations (dlroope.com, 1-888-375-2020); the written exam uses the NIC Barber Styling content (per the vendor's Wisconsin candidate bulletins). Exam fees are published in the vendor's application rather than on DSPS pages, so fee is null. [1]

  4. 4

    Wisconsin Barber Practical Examination

    Pass the Wisconsin Barber Practical Examination. Hands-on practical exam scheduled through D.L. Roope. Fee is published in the vendor's application rather than on DSPS pages, so fee is null. [1]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Barbering Examining Board. [2]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Barbering Examining Board issues your Barber License for Wisconsin.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] None specified
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] $63
Wisconsin Barber Written (Theory) Examination (NIC Barber Styling) [1] None specified
Wisconsin Barber Practical Examination [1] None specified
Renewal with late fee [2] $88

DSPS's Renewal Dates and Fees schedule (RDAF, rev. 08/07/2025) lists the Barber renewal fee as $63 ($88 with late fee). The initial credential fee is 'an amount determined by the department' under Wis. Stat. § 440.05(1)(a) and is shown only inside the LicensE application portal and vendor application, not on DSPS's public pages — so application is null. Exam fees are paid to D.L. Roope.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Barber credentials renew by March 31 of each odd-numbered year (biennial cycle); renewal is $63, or $88 with the late fee. Wisconsin imposes no routine continuing-education requirement on barbers — Wis. Stat. § 454.265 allows the department to impose CE only as part of the disciplinary process — so ceHours is null. DSPS emails a digest of statute/rule changes at renewal (§ 454.267).

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Licensure by endorsement is available for barbers licensed in other jurisdictions (Wis. Stat. § 454.27); DSPS notes Wisconsin's credentials are not granted by automatic reciprocity. Endorsement applicants must complete an approved one-hour course on Wisconsin statutes and administrative code and submit verification of licensure (Form 3020) and certification of training (Form 3044). No interstate barbering compact exists.

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

Frequently asked questions

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

At least 1,000 training hours at a licensed barbering or cosmetology school, or a barbering apprenticeship totaling 2,000 hours (1,712 practical hours plus 288 school-instruction hours) completed within 4 years.

Who administers Wisconsin's barber exams?

D.L. Roope Administrations, Inc., DSPS's contracted vendor. You schedule the written (NIC Barber Styling) and practical exams through dlroope.com after DSPS authorizes your application.

When does a Wisconsin barber license renew?

By March 31 of each odd-numbered year. The renewal fee is $63, or $88 if late. There is no routine continuing-education requirement.

What education do I need before barber school in Wisconsin?

One of three options: a high school diploma or equivalency, participation in a program approved by the Examining Board, or being at least 18 and meeting the ability-to-benefit rule.

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

Yes, by licensure by endorsement — Wisconsin does not grant automatic reciprocity. You must submit license verification, training certification, and complete an approved one-hour course on Wisconsin barbering statutes and code.

Sources

  1. [1] dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Barber/Default.aspx — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Renewal/RenewalDatesFees.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11