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✂️ State Barber Board

Pass the State Barber Board Exam on Your First Try.

1,000+ practice questions covering haircutting techniques, shaving, chemical services, infection control, and state regulations. Built-in Blade Angle & Guard Guide. Free to start.

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Built-in Blade Angle & Guard Guide

1,000+

Practice Questions

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Topics Covered

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Topics Covered

✓Haircutting Techniques & Terminology
✓Clipper Guard & Blade Angles
✓Shaving & Razor Techniques
✓Chemical Services & Relaxers
✓Infection Control & Sterilization
✓Anatomy of the Head & Face
✓Scalp Treatments & Trichology
✓State Board Laws & Regulations

Web Practice Features

🧠1,000+ State Barber Board practice questions with full answer explanations
🔧Built-in Blade Angle & Guard Guide — the killer tool for exam technique scenarios
📊Progress tracking by topic — know exactly where you stand
🔁Missed question review — study your weak spots automatically
✈️Full offline access — study anywhere, no Wi-Fi required
📱Web practice — works on desktop and mobile browsers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is on the barber state board exam?

The barber state board exam consists of a written theory exam and a practical (hands-on) exam. The written exam covers haircutting techniques, shaving, chemical services, infection control, anatomy, and state barber laws. Most state exams are 100 questions with a 70–75% passing score.

How many training hours are required to become a licensed barber?

Most states require 1,000–1,500 hours of barber school training before you can sit for the state board exam. Some states require as few as 500 hours (New Mexico) while others require up to 2,000 hours. Check your state's barber board for specific requirements.

What is the barber board exam pass rate?

Pass rates vary by state but typically range from 65–80% for first-time candidates on the written exam. The practical exam has a higher pass rate. Most failures on the written exam occur on the infection control, chemical services, and state law sections.

What is the Blade Angle & Guard Guide in the app?

The Blade Angle & Guard Guide is a built-in reference tool that covers clipper guard sizes, blade angles, and their effects on hair length and texture — the exact relationships that appear on both the written and practical board exam.

How long should I study for the barber board exam?

Most barber students study 20–40 hours of focused exam prep after completing their program hours. With the app, many candidates study 1–2 hours per day for 2–3 weeks before their board exam. Focus on infection control, state laws, and chemical service ratios — these are the most-tested topics.

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Barber License Requirements by State

Barber License requirements vary widely by state. Below is a state-by-state summary of the barber licensing exam — the regulating board, exam format, and training where verified. Figures are web-verified for 2026 but change by cycle and classification; always confirm the current rules and fees with your state board before you apply.

Alabama (AL)

State board
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Exam
PSI — written AND practical, both required (70% to pass each)
Training hours
1,000 hours at a licensed school (or a 2,000-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
~$75 application, plus PSI written and practical exam fees

Alaska (AK)

State board
Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers (Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing)
Exam
Prov — written theory exam; the separate state practical was replaced by a school-administered proficiency exam in 2020
Training hours
1,650 hours at a school (or a 2,000-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
~$90 written exam (paid to Prov), plus state application and license fees

Alaska dropped the state practical exam in December 2020 — a school-administered proficiency check now stands in for it.

Arizona (AZ)

State board
Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board (the former standalone Board of Barbers merged into it)
Exam
Professional Credential Services (PCS) — a theory test plus a written-format practical test
Training hours
1,200 hours at an approved barber program (or a 2,000-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
State license fee plus PCS exam fees (confirm current amounts with the Board)

Arkansas (AR)

State board
Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners, under the Dept. of Labor and Licensing
Exam
Practical demonstration plus a written (and oral) theory test; 75% to pass
Training hours
1,500 hours at a board-approved school (minimum ~9 months)
Fee range
~$125 ($75 exam + $50 license)

California (CA)

State board
California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
Exam
PSI — written only (the practical exam was eliminated in 2022)
Training hours
1,000 hours (reduced from 1,500 in 2022); apprenticeship route also available
Fee range
~$125 ($75 exam + $50 initial license)

Colorado (CO)

State board
Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure, Dept. of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
Exam
PSI — written and practical, both required
Training hours
1,500 hours (or 50 semester credit hours) of approved training
Fee range
~$155 (~$127 PSI exam fees + ~$28 DORA application)

Connecticut (CT)

State agency
Connecticut Dept. of Public Health, Barber licensing (there is no separate barber board)
Exam
Prometric — written exam (offered in English and Spanish)
Training hours
At least 1,000 hours at an approved barber school
Fee range
State application fee plus the Prometric exam fee (confirm current amounts)

Delaware (DE)

State board
Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Division of Professional Regulation
Exam
NIC written (theory) and practical exams via Prometric; 75% to pass each
Training hours
1,250 hours for a Barber (or a 3,000-hour apprenticeship); Master Barber requires 1,500 hours
Fee range
~$218 for both exams, plus state license fees

Florida (FL)

State board
Florida Barbers' Board, Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
Exam
Pearson VUE — written only (100 multiple-choice questions); no state practical
Training hours
900 hours (600 with a school's competency certification), plus a 2-hour HIV/AIDS course
Fee range
~$110–$220 (license/application plus the Pearson VUE exam)

Georgia (GA)

State board
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers, under the Secretary of State
Exam
PSI (NIC national barber exam) — written and practical
Training hours
1,500 hours (Master Barber) or a 3,000-hour apprenticeship
Fee range
~$147 exam (theory + practical) plus a license fee

Hawaii (HI)

State board
Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, Dept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
Exam
PSI — closed-book written exam (75% to pass), offered quarterly (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec)
Training hours
1,500 hours via school or apprenticeship
Fee range
~$90 per exam attempt, plus state license fees

Idaho (ID)

State board
Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)
Exam
NIC written theory and NIC practical exams, both via Prov
Training hours
900 hours for a barber license
Fee range
~$208 exam (~$88 theory + ~$120 practical), plus state license fees

Illinois (IL)

State agency
Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Exam
PSI / Continental Testing — written only (no practical for barbers)
Training hours
1,500 hours
Fee range
~$60–$140 (IDFPR license fee plus the exam fee)

Indiana (IN)

State board
Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Professional Licensing Agency (PLA)
Exam
PSI — written theory exam (computer-based); confirm any practical requirement with the board
Training hours
1,500 hours at a licensed barber school
Fee range
~$84 total (license plus exam), approximately

Iowa (IA)

State board
Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences, Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL)
Exam
NIC written theory exam (75% to pass); confirm the practical requirement with the board
Training hours
1,550-hour statutory minimum; barber school programs typically run ~2,100 hours (or a ~2,000-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
State license fee plus NIC exam fees (confirm current amounts)

Kansas (KS)

State board
Kansas Board of Barbering
Exam
NIC written and practical exams, plus a Kansas Rules and Regulations exam; 80% to pass each
Training hours
1,200–1,500 hours, completed within about nine months
Fee range
State license fee plus exam fees (confirm current amounts)

Kentucky (KY)

State board
Kentucky Board of Barbering
Exam
Written and practical apprentice-barber exams (75% each), then a practical-only barber license exam
Training hours
1,500 hours at a licensed school, plus a ~6–9 month apprenticeship before full licensure
Fee range
~$200 per exam (apprentice and license stages)

Kentucky is unusual — graduates work as apprentice barbers for several months before qualifying for the full barber license.

Louisiana (LA)

State board
Louisiana State Board of Barber Examiners
Exam
Board-administered written and practical exams (70% each), offered about four times a year
Training hours
1,500 hours at a licensed school (or a 4,000-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
State exam and license fees (confirm current amounts)

Maine (ME)

State board
Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), Barbering & Cosmetology program
Exam
NIC national written exam plus a state practical exam, via D.L. Roope Administrations
Training hours
1,500 hours at a barber school (or a 2,500-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
State license fee plus NIC exam fees (confirm current amounts)

Maine separates a 'limited barber' (no chemical services) from a full barber license.

Maryland (MD)

State board
Maryland Board of Barbers, Dept. of Labor (formerly DLLR)
Exam
PSI — theory (written) and practical exams
Training hours
1,200 hours at a barber school (or a 2,250-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
State license fee plus PSI exam fees (confirm current amounts)

Massachusetts (MA)

State board
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering
Exam
PSI — written theory exam only (the state eliminated its practical exam in 2023)
Training hours
1,000 hours for a Journeyman Barber; a Master Barber license needs 2 years' experience
Fee range
State license fee plus the PSI exam fee (confirm current amounts)

Michigan (MI)

State board
Michigan Board of Barber Examiners, Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
Exam
PSI — written (theory) and practical, both required
Training hours
1,800 hours at a licensed barber college
Fee range
~$48–$160 (license fee plus PSI exam fees)

Minnesota (MN)

State board
Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners
Exam
Board-administered written, oral, and practical exam (70% for the apprentice exam; 75% for the later Registered/Master Barber exam)
Training hours
1,500 hours of instruction, then 1,500 apprentice hours before the Master Barber exam
Fee range
State exam and license fees (confirm current amounts)

Mississippi (MS)

State board
Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (MSBCB)
Exam
NIC written theory exam, a Law and Sanitation exam, and the NIC practical exam
Training hours
1,500 hours at a licensed school
Fee range
State exam and license fees (confirm current amounts)

Missouri (MO)

State board
Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
Exam
NIC theory and practical exams, administered via Prov
Training hours
1,000 hours at a barber school (or a 2,000-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
~$88 theory + ~$58 practical exam, plus a ~$20 initial license fee

Montana (MT)

State board
Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, Dept. of Labor & Industry (DLI)
Exam
NIC written and practical barber exams (75% to pass); theory delivered via Prov
Training hours
1,500 hours at an approved school
Fee range
State license fee plus Prov exam fees (confirm current amounts)

Nebraska (NE)

State board
Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners (barber licensing; DHHS oversees other beauty professions)
Exam
Written and practical exams; 75% to pass each
Training hours
1,800 hours at a board-approved school (reduced from 2,100)
Fee range
State exam and license fees (confirm current amounts)

Reported hours vary between sources (1,800 vs 2,100) after a recent reduction — confirm the current figure with the Board.

Nevada (NV)

State board
Nevada State Barbers' Health and Sanitation Board
Exam
Theory and practical exams administered by the Board
Training hours
1,500 hours at a barber school, plus an 18-month apprenticeship before the licensing exam
Fee range
State exam and license fees (confirm current amounts)

New Hampshire (NH)

State board
New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)
Exam
NIC written and practical exams via Prov; 75% to pass
Training hours
800 hours for a Barber (no chemical services); 1,500 hours for a Master Barber
Fee range
~$192 exam (Prov), plus a ~$55 license fee

New Jersey (NJ)

State board
New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (Division of Consumer Affairs)
Exam
State written (theory) and practical exams (75% to pass); theory delivered via Prometric
Training hours
900 hours at a state-approved barber school
Fee range
~$155 across exam and license fees, approximately

New Mexico (NM)

State board
New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, Regulation and Licensing Dept. (RLD)
Exam
Three NIC exams — theory, practical, and a State Law exam; passing lowered to 70% in Jan 2026
Training hours
1,200 hours of approved training
Fee range
State license fee plus exam fees (confirm current amounts)

New York (NY)

State agency
New York Dept. of State, Division of Licensing Services
Exam
State-run — practical exam only (the state lists no separate written exam)
Training hours
No fixed statutory hour count — complete an approved course of study or a 2-year registered apprenticeship
Fee range
$55 ($40 application + $15 practical exam)

North Carolina (NC)

State board
North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners
Exam
State board-run — written and practical, plus a mandatory 12-month apprenticeship before the registered-barber exam
Training hours
1,528 clock hours
Fee range
~$50–$120 across license and exam fees (varies by stage)

North Dakota (ND)

State board
North Dakota Board of Barber Examiners
Exam
Board-administered written and practical Master Barber exams (held quarterly in Fargo)
Training hours
1,550 hours at a state-approved barber school
Fee range
~$100 exam, plus state license fees

Ohio (OH)

State board
Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board
Exam
State-run — written and practical (75% to pass each)
Training hours
1,800 hours
Fee range
~$55–$100 in exam and license fees

Oklahoma (OK)

State board
Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Exam
NIC written and practical exams via Prov; 75% to pass
Training hours
1,000 hours (nonchemical) or 1,250 hours (chemical) as of July 2025; or a 2,250-hour apprenticeship
Fee range
~$80 individual barber license, plus Prov exam fees

Oregon (OR)

State board
Oregon Health Licensing Office (HLO), Board of Cosmetology
Exam
Two written exams (barbering theory + Oregon laws and rules) and a school-administered practical; 75% to pass
Training hours
746 hours of barber training (excludes chemical services)
Fee range
State application fee plus exam fees (confirm current amounts)

Pennsylvania (PA)

State board
Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners
Exam
Pearson VUE — written (130 questions) and practical, both required
Training hours
1,250 hours
Fee range
~$173 ($33 application + $63 theory exam + $77 practical exam)

Rhode Island (RI)

State agency
Rhode Island Dept. of Health, Board of Barbering and Hairdressing
Exam
NIC written and practical exams via PSI; 70% to pass each
Training hours
1,500 hours (or 1,000 school hours plus 840 apprentice hours)
Fee range
State license fee plus PSI exam fees (confirm current amounts)

South Carolina (SC)

State board
South Carolina Board of Barber Examiners, Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
Exam
NIC theory and practical exams via PCS; 70% to pass
Training hours
1,500 hours at a barber school (or ~1,920 hours / 12 months under a registered barber)
Fee range
~$165 for both exams, plus state license fees

South Dakota (SD)

State board
South Dakota Board of Barber Examiners, Dept. of Labor and Regulation (separate from the Cosmetology Commission)
Exam
NIC written theory exam plus a state Board practical exam
Training hours
Confirm the current hour requirement with the Board (commonly cited around 1,500 hours)
Fee range
State exam and license fees (confirm current amounts)

South Dakota keeps barbering under its own Board of Barber Examiners, separate from the Cosmetology Commission.

Tennessee (TN)

State board
Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
Exam
Written theory and practical exams (about 3.5 hours total)
Training hours
1,500 hours for a Master Barber (a 750-hour classroom + apprenticeship path also exists)
Fee range
State exam and license fees (confirm current amounts)

Texas (TX)

State board
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Barbering & Cosmetology program
Exam
PSI — written AND practical (both required)
Training hours
1,000 hours (Class A Barber)
Fee range
~$50–$140 (TDLR license fee plus PSI exam fees)

Utah (UT)

State board
Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Barber & Cosmetology Board
Exam
NIC theory and practical exams via Prov; 75% to pass each
Training hours
1,000 hours for a Master Barber; 1,250 for a combined cosmetologist/barber (reduced from 1,600 in 2026)
Fee range
~$210 exam (Prov) + ~$60 DOPL application

Vermont (VT)

State board
Vermont Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Secretary of State
Exam
NIC written and practical exams via Prov (pass both within one year)
Training hours
1,000 hours of training
Fee range
State license fee plus Prov exam fees (confirm current amounts)

Virginia (VA)

State board
Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
Exam
NIC written and practical exams via Prov (which replaced PSI in Jan 2025)
Training hours
750 hours (reduced from 1,100 effective Dec 1, 2025)
Fee range
~$99 written + ~$95 practical exam (Prov), plus state license fees

Washington (WA)

State agency
Washington State Dept. of Licensing (DOL), Cosmetology program (no separate barber board)
Exam
NIC written and practical exams via D.L. Roope Administrations; 75% to pass each
Training hours
1,000 hours of approved training (or an apprenticeship)
Fee range
~$35 application, plus exam fees

West Virginia (WV)

State board
West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Exam
NIC written and practical exams (via Prov); 70% to pass each
Training hours
1,200 hours (barber) or 1,500 hours (barber with chemical services)
Fee range
~$169 total (student registration, exam, and license), approximately

Wisconsin (WI)

State agency
Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), under the Cosmetology Examining Board
Exam
NIC written and practical exams via D.L. Roope Administrations; 75% to pass each
Training hours
1,000 hours at a barbering school (or a ~2,000-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
State license fee plus exam fees (confirm current amounts)

Wyoming (WY)

State board
Wyoming Board of Cosmetology (which also licenses barbers)
Exam
Theory (written) and practical exams via Prov; 75% to pass each
Training hours
1,250 hours at a licensed school (or 750 hours for a cosmetology-to-barber crossover)
Fee range
~$125 registered barber exam, plus state license fees

Washington D.C. (DC)

State board
D.C. Board of Barber and Cosmetology, Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
Exam
NIC written and practical exams via Pearson VUE (written monthly, practical quarterly)
Training hours
1,500 hours of education (or a 2,000-hour apprenticeship)
Fee range
~$230 exam (Pearson VUE), plus D.C. license fees

VoltExam is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with any state board. Practice for the barber licensing exam free at voltexam.com/study/barber.