How to become a barber in Nevada
Nevada barbers are licensed by the Nevada State Barbers' Health and Sanitation Board. Here is what it takes to work as a licensed barber in Nevada, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Part of the state's website could not be reached when we checked, so some details come from Nevada law and official forms. Confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Who can become a barber in Nevada?
- Apprentice license: at least 16 1/2 years old and a graduate of a Board-approved barber school (12th grade or equivalent required for the apprentice exam)
- Barber license: at least 18 years old after 18 months as a licensed apprentice
- Good moral character and temperate habits
- Health certificate: chest X-ray or TB skin test and blood test showing no communicable disease
- U.S. citizen or lawfully entitled to work in the U.S.
Nevada barber license requirements
| Licensed by | Nevada State Barbers' Health and Sanitation Board |
|---|---|
| License name | Licensed Barber (new barbers first hold an Apprentice license) |
| Education or training | 1,500-hour course at a Board-approved barber school, then 18 months as a licensed apprentice under a licensed barber before the barber exam; licensed cosmetologists may instead complete 400 hours of specialized barber training. |
| Exam | Board-administered exam six times a year in Las Vegas: practical on a live model you provide (shampoo, haircut, shave), sanitation, and written/oral portions; 75% required on written and practical. |
| License term | Biennial; licenses must be renewed on or before April 1 of each even-numbered year. |
| Reciprocity | Barbers licensed where requirements are substantially the same may be admitted under Board regulations; out-of-state registered barber applicants need notarized affidavits of 5 years' licensed experience in the last 10 years and a current license, or must pass the Nevada exam. |
How much does it cost?
| Examination application (online) | $100 |
|---|---|
| Paper application deposit (part of the $100 total) | $15 |
| License renewal | $60 |
| Late fee | $60 |
| Duplicate license | $20 |
Fees as listed by the state. Schools, courses, exam prep, insurance and equipment cost extra and vary by provider.
Steps to become a barber in Nevada
- Complete a 1,500-hour course at a Board-approved barber school and get your diploma and graduation letter
- Create a Barber Portal account and submit the apprentice exam application with photos, diploma, health certificate/TB test and $100 fee by the 15th of the month before the exam
- Pass the apprentice exam (practical on your own model, sanitation, written/oral)
- Practice 18 months as a licensed apprentice under a licensed barber
- Apply for and pass the registered barber exam
- Renew your license by April 1 of each even-numbered year
Apply on the official Nevada site
How do you check a barber's license in Nevada?
- Search the name or license number on the official Nevada barber license lookup.
- Check that the status is active and the name matches the person or company you're hiring.
- Ask how long they've been licensed and whether any complaints or discipline are on record.