Barber / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina Barber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the North Carolina data shows for Barbers

North Carolina's path to barber licensure runs through 1,223 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on State Barber Board Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 16 can be licensed. North Carolina folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

Upfront cost is $91, with renewal running $50 on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in North Carolina, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

On reciprocity, barbers should know: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
70/100
Barber · North Carolina

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 D
1,223 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C
$91
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$25/yr
$50 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 North Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,223 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$91
Renewal Fee
$50
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 North Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina's requirements cover 1223 hours of education or training, the State Barber Board Exam exam, and an initial fee of $91. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Barber in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina licenses barbers who complete its requirements (1223 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the North Carolina licensing board.
Can I transfer my Barber license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
Barber licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Varies by state — check with state board. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The North Carolina licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
North Carolina 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 North Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a barber-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Carolina 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.