Barber / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey 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 New Jersey data shows for Barbers

New Jersey's path to barber licensure runs through 1,324 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. New Jersey folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

The initial price tag is $116, and renewal costs $61 every 2 years. New Jersey doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
66/100
Barber · New Jersey

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
1,324 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$116
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$31/yr
$61 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 New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,324 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$116
Renewal Fee
$61
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 New Jersey licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey requires 1324 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Barber Board Exam), and an initial fee of $116. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Barber in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey licenses barbers who complete its requirements (1324 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the New Jersey licensing board.
Can I transfer my Barber license to New Jersey from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for barbers nationally works like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into New Jersey. Verify the specifics with the New Jersey licensing board.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
New Jersey 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 New Jersey, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a barber-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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