Barber / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South 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 South Carolina data shows for Barbers

South Carolina's path to barber licensure runs through 1,108 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. South Carolina folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

Budget $62 to get started, plus $37 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. South Carolina doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
77/100
Barber · South 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
1,108 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A-
$62
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$19/yr
$37 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 South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,108 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$62
Renewal Fee
$37
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 South Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in South Carolina? ▼
In South Carolina, the license path calls for 1108 education/training hours, a passing score on State Barber Board Exam, and a $62 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Barber in South Carolina? ▼
Certification as a barber in South Carolina means clearing the state's checklist: 1108 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The South Carolina licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Barber license to South Carolina 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 South Carolina licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for barber licensing in South Carolina. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this barber license

Barber in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a barber-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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