Barber / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board official source

Colorado Barber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Cuts and styles hair. Licensed in all 50 states and DC.

What the Colorado data shows for Barbers

Becoming a licensed barber in Colorado means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,426 training hours, a passing score on State Barber Board Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 16. Colorado regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

Upfront cost is $141, with renewal running $72 on a 2-year cycle. Colorado doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Barber · Colorado

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,426 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$141
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$36/yr
$72 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,426 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$141
Renewal Fee
$72
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Barber All Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in Colorado? ▼
Colorado requires 1426 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Barber Board Exam), and an initial fee of $141. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Barber in Colorado? ▼
Certification as a barber in Colorado means clearing the state's checklist: 1426 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Colorado licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Barber license to Colorado from another state? ▼
For barbers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Colorado licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Colorado require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
Colorado does require a background check before issuing a barber license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this barber license

Barber in Colorado, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a barber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Colorado's barber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Barber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state barber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Colorado's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Colorado overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Colorado licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.