Barber / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia Barber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

What the District of Columbia data shows for Barbers

District of Columbia sets the entry bar for barbers at 1,286 training hours and a passing score on State Barber Board Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 16 or older. The credential is administered under District of Columbia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

Budget $107 to get started, plus $57 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in District of Columbia, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

For barbers, the reciprocity picture is: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
67/100
Barber · District of Columbia

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
1,286 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$107
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$29/yr
$57 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 District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,286 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$107
Renewal Fee
$57
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 District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia's requirements cover 1286 hours of education or training, the State Barber Board Exam exam, and an initial fee of $107. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Barber in District of Columbia? ▼
To become a licensed barber in District of Columbia, you must meet the state's requirements including 1286 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the District of Columbia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Barber license to District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
Yes, District of Columbia requires a criminal background check as part of the barber licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this barber license

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

  • See how District of Columbia'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 District of Columbia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. District of Columbia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia 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.