Barber in Kentucky
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KY. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Kentucky.
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a barber in Kentucky
To become a licensed Barber in Kentucky, individuals must complete a 1500-hour training program at a state-approved barber school. Following this, applicants must pass the Kentucky Probationary Barber Examination (written) and work as a probationary barber for 6 continuous months under the supervision of a licensed barber. Finally, candidates must pass the Kentucky Barber Examination (practical) and pay a $50 licensing fee. Kentucky offers reciprocity for barbers licensed in states with equivalent training hours or for those with at least three years of experience if the hours are not equivalent.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Kentucky. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Kentucky requirements
| Licensing body | Kentucky Board of Barbering |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 1500-hour training program |
| Experience | 1,500.0 hours |
| Exam | Kentucky Probationary Barber Examination (Written) and Kentucky Barber Examination (Practical) ($400) |
| Application fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Reciprocity | Kentucky offers reciprocity for barbers with similar requirements or three years of work experience.Reciprocal states: Kentucky offers reciprocity to barbers licensed in other states with substantially similar licensing requirements (1,500 hours of training). If the requirements are not substantially similar, applicants must have been a registered barber and worked for 3 years. |
| Notes | Minimum age of 17.5 years old and a high school diploma or GED are required. After passing the written probationary exam, an apprentice license is issued. Must work under a licensed barber for 6 continuous months (at least 20 hours/week) to be eligible for the practical barber examination. The initial barber license fee is $50.00. |
Source: Kentucky Board of Barbering
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Kentucky? See whether Kentucky recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Barber license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium Kentucky license tiers
Kentucky offers multiple tiers of barber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | 1,500 |
| Barber | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleKentucky license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Barber head-to-head
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