How to become a barber in North Dakota
North Dakota barbers are licensed by the North Dakota State Board of Barber Examiners. Here is what it takes to work as a licensed barber in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota law and official forms. Confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Who can become a barber in North Dakota?
- At least 18 years of age
- Four years of high school or equivalent (per Board student and exam applications)
- Good moral character
- Graduate of a Board-approved barber school
North Dakota barber license requirements
| Licensed by | North Dakota State Board of Barber Examiners |
|---|---|
| License name | Barber (Master Barber license); restricted, retired and temporary barber licenses also exist |
| Education or training | Barber schools must require at least 1,500 hours (N.D.C.C. 43-04-24); exam eligibility under 43-04-32 requires at least 1,100 hours of training including hours at a licensed barbering school, or one year licensed in another state. |
| Exam | Board-conducted exam with a practical demonstration and written and oral test, given four times a year (2026 dates: Jan 18, Apr 19, Jul 19, Oct 18); application and fee due 15 days before. |
| License term | Annual; Board site says licenses expire June 30 and must be renewed each year. |
| Continuing education | 6 hours of continuing education every two years for licensed barbers and instructors (Board notice: effective January 2026). |
| Reciprocity | Barbers licensed in another state file the Board's reciprocity application; statute allows waiver of exam for applicants 18.5+, high school graduates, with 3 years full-time practice in a state with substantially similar requirements; foreign applicants must pass written and practical exams. |
How much does it cost?
| Exam application | $100.00 |
|---|---|
| Renewal of master barber certificate (statutory) | one hundred dollars |
| Reciprocity certificate under 43-04-38.1 (statutory) | one hundred seventy-five dollars |
| License verification to another state | $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 North Dakota
- Get a student permit application from the Board and file it with a ND barber college
- Complete barber school training
- Submit the notarized exam application and $100 fee at least 15 days before a test date
- Pass the practical, written and oral exam
- Receive your barber license and renew annually
Apply on the official North Dakota site
How do you check a barber's license in North Dakota?
- Ask for the license number and confirm it with the North Dakota State Board of Barber Examiners.
- 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.