Barber in Montana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MT. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a barber in Montana
To become a licensed Barber in Montana, individuals must complete a 1100-hour training program from a Board-approved barbering school. After completing the education, applicants must pass both the written and practical portions of the NIC National Barber Styling Examination with a score of at least 75%. The Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists handles licensing, and applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. Montana offers licensure by credentialing for out-of-state barbers who meet specific criteria, including having an active, unencumbered license and comparable training or work experience.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Montana. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Montana requirements
| Licensing body | Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 1100-hour training program (or 900-hour non-chemical barber program) |
| Exam | NIC National Barber Styling Examination (Written and Practical) ($259) |
| Application fee | $80 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Reciprocity | Montana offers licensure by credentialing for out-of-state licensees who passed NIC exams and meet training/experience.Reciprocal states: Montana offers licensure by credentialing for out-of-state licensees. Applicants must hold a current, unencumbered barber license in another state, provide license verification from all states where they've been licensed, and have passed the NIC written and practical exams with at least 75% proficiency. They must also have completed a course of training of at least 1,100 hours or attest to 2,200 hours of work experience as a licensed barber. Exceptions for the 1500 school hour requirement may be considered for actively licensed barbers in good standing. |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Passing score of 75% on both written and practical exams is required. Montana does not allow apprenticeship as a path to earning a barber license. |
Source: Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Montana? See whether Montana recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Barber license reciprocity guide.
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.
Compare Barber head-to-head
See all comparisons →Considering a Barber vs another career? Side-by-side breakdowns of pay, training time, and licensing.