Barber in West Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WV. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, West Virginia.
Jobs (WV)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a barber in West Virginia
To become a licensed Barber in West Virginia, individuals must complete 1200 hours of training at a West Virginia Board-approved barber school and possess a high school diploma or GED. After completing the education, applicants must pass the NIC National Barber 1 Written Examination, NIC National Barber 1 Practical Examination, and the West Virginia State Law Examination. The final step involves submitting an application with a $35 fee to the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. The license must be renewed annually, but continuing education hours are no longer required.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for West Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist West Virginia requirements
| Licensing body | West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 1200 hours of training at an approved barber school and high school diploma or GED. |
| Experience | 1,200.0 hours |
| Exam | NIC National Barber 1 Written Examination, NIC National Barber 1 Practical Examination, and West Virginia State Law Examination ($99) |
| Application fee | $35 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Reciprocity | West Virginia requires a state law exam for NIC states; others need review, potentially work experience.Reciprocal states: West Virginia accepts training from other states. If licensed in a state that uses the NIC examination, you must pass the West Virginia state law exam. If the state does not use the NIC examination, an application for review is required. The West Virginia Board may accept actual licensed work experience (25 hours per month, up to 50% of required hours, acquired within the previous five years) in lieu of part of the required training if the training from the other state does not meet West Virginia's requirements. A reciprocity fee of $100 is required. |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18 years old. Must provide a health certificate from a licensed physician and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal eligibility to work. Apprenticeships are not currently allowed as a career path to become a barber in West Virginia. However, if licensed in another state, work experience may be accepted in lieu of some training hours for reciprocity. |
Source: West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to West Virginia? See whether West Virginia 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.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleWest Virginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Barber head-to-head
See all comparisons →Considering a Barber vs another career? Side-by-side breakdowns of pay, training time, and licensing.