Barber / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island Barber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the Rhode Island data shows for Barbers

Rhode Island sets the entry bar for barbers at 1,372 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 Rhode Island's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

Budget $128 to get started, plus $66 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Rhode Island, 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

C+
Licensing Ease Score
64/100
Barber · Rhode Island

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
1,372 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$128
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$33/yr
$66 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 Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,372 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$128
Renewal Fee
$66
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 Rhode Island licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Rhode Island licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island requires 1372 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Barber Board Exam), and an initial fee of $128. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Barber in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island licenses barbers who complete its requirements (1372 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Can I transfer my Barber license to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a barber-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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