Barber / New York
2026 data New York board official source

New York 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the New York data shows for Barbers

Becoming a licensed barber in New York means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,295 training hours, a passing score on State Barber Board Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 16. New York regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

Upfront cost is $109, with renewal running $57 on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in New York, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
67/100
Barber · New York

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
1,295 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$109
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 New York

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,295 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$109
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 New York licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in New York? ▼
In New York, the license path calls for 1295 education/training hours, a passing score on State Barber Board Exam, and a $109 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Barber in New York? ▼
Certification as a barber in New York means clearing the state's checklist: 1295 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The New York licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Barber license to New York from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for barbers: Varies by state — check with state board. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the New York licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does New York require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
Yes, New York 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 New York, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a barber-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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