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Personal Care & Wellness license portability
Barber license reciprocity by state
Barber licenses are broadly portable across the US — 38 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still requires a state-specific law and business exam. Each row below links to the state's official licensing board and lists the specific reciprocal states where we have them.
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38 via endorsement
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10 require exam
Reciprocity tier legend
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Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
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Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
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Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
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Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
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No license required
State does not license this profession.
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Check with board
The state publishes no clear transfer rule. Contact the licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row shows the destination state's reciprocity tier, the board's own language behind it, and a link to the official state licensing board.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alabama accepts reciprocity for out-of-state cosmetology or barber licenses. If licensed for 5 years or more and in good standing, no additional exams are required. If licensed for less than 5 years, the practical exam may be required. The board reviews each certification. International license holders must pass both written and practical exams. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Alaska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alaska does not have reciprocity agreements with other states. However, applicants with an active out-of-state license may apply for licensure by waiver of examination if their training and examination requirements are equivalent to Alaska's. Work experience can be used to meet hour requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arizona | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arizona allows licensure by reciprocity for individuals holding a current and valid barber license from another U.S. state or foreign country, provided the license is in good standing and the issuing agency had disciplinary power. The applicant's school hours must be similar to Arizona's requirements, and they must have passed necessary exams. Proof of at least one year of work experience as a barber is also required. Official license verification must be sent directly from the other state's licensing agency to Arizona's Board. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arkansas offers reciprocity to barbers licensed in other states with substantially similar requirements (1500 hours of training and an unrevoked/unexpired license). If training hours are less than 1500, one year of continuous practice may be substituted. Foreign reciprocity requires passing an examination. Official state board arrow_outward |
| California | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | California offers reciprocity for licenses from other states if the requirements are equivalent. The out-of-state licensing board must send certification directly to the California Board. Apprentice licenses, Puerto Rico and Guam licenses, and Florida full, facial, and nail specialist licenses do not qualify for reciprocity. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Colorado | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Colorado offers licensure by endorsement for individuals with an active license in good standing from another state or country, provided their experience or credentials are substantially equivalent to Colorado's requirements (1,500 hours of training). Applicants may be required to take all or part of the Colorado written and practical examinations if their qualifications are not deemed equivalent. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | edit_note Exam required | Connecticut offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states or U.S. territories with equivalent training and examination requirements. Applicants may substitute up to 500 hours of the training requirement with licensed work experience. A written exam is required for transfer. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Delaware | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Delaware offers reciprocity for barbers licensed in other states with substantially similar or greater requirements. If requirements are less, applicants need to prove 3 years of experience within the last 5 years. Official state board arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | The District of Columbia offers reciprocity to applicants licensed in other jurisdictions with substantially equivalent requirements (1500 hours of training) at the time of their licensure, provided that jurisdiction admits DC-licensed barbers in a like manner. Applicants must provide a letter of good standing and prove they were actively engaged in the profession in the other jurisdiction. Licensure by endorsement is also available for those who passed an acceptable exam, have active certification from a recognized national certifying organization, and have not been disciplined by that organization. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Florida | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Florida does not have reciprocity agreements with other states but offers licensure by endorsement for applicants who hold an active license in another state with comparable or more stringent requirements (at least 900 educational hours and a written exam), and completion of a 2-hour HIV/AIDS course. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Georgia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Georgia does not have reciprocity agreements with other states, but offers licensure by endorsement. Applicants must be actively licensed and in good standing in another state or US territory, provide proof of passing written and practical exams in English, and submit license verification from all states where they have held a license. The endorsement application fee is $75. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | edit_note Exam required | Hawaii does not have reciprocity with other states. Applicants licensed in other states must meet Hawaii's education and examination requirements. They may be required to take the Hawaii licensing exam and provide verification of 6 months of active barber work experience. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Idaho | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Idaho offers licensure by endorsement. Applicants must be licensed in a state with similar education and examination standards (900 hours of training) or have been actively working as a licensed barber for three years immediately prior to applying in Idaho. If requirements are not met, additional training and examination may be required. A $35 endorsement fee applies. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Illinois | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Illinois offers licensure by endorsement (reciprocity). Applicants must be currently licensed in their home state and provide certification of licensure, documentation of hours and exams, transcripts, and verification of at least 3 years of lawful practice. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Indiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Indiana offers reciprocity to barbers licensed in other states if the requirements are substantially equal. If the applicant's training hours are less than Indiana's 1500 hours but at least 1000 hours, one year of licensed practice can be credited as 100 hours of education. A passing grade of at least 70% on the original state's written and practical exams is also required. A $100 reciprocity license fee may apply. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Iowa | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Iowa offers licensure by endorsement for applicants who have held an active license in another state for at least 12 of the past 24 months, complete one hour of Iowa barbering laws and administrative rules and sanitation, and pass the NIC written and practical examinations if not already completed. The state has reciprocity agreements with most state boards for equivalent licenses. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kansas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Kansas offers reciprocity to barbers licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements and who have been actively practicing for at least 24 months. Some sources indicate reciprocity with states like Arizona, Arkansas, Minnesota, and others, but the official regulations state it's for states with a reciprocal agreement with Kansas. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | 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. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Louisiana offers reciprocity to licensed barbers from other states with equivalent or exceeding requirements (typically 1500 hours of training) and similar reciprocal provisions. If a practical exam was not taken in the original state, it may be required in Louisiana. A $100 license fee is required for reciprocity applicants. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maine | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maine offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state barbers with an active and unrestricted license, provided their home state has similar training hour requirements and board exams. If requirements differ, applicants may need to take Maine's board exams or provide proof of full-time work experience. Reciprocal agreements exist with New York, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maryland | edit_note Exam required | Maryland offers licensure by endorsement for barbers licensed in other U.S. states with equivalent or greater requirements. Applicants must provide certification that their license is current and in good standing, and show two years of notarized work experience. Applicants from Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, and New York must take both the Maryland theory and practical exams. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Massachusetts accepts training from other states if the study requirements are the same (1,000 hours) and the license is current. If the license is expired, the practical exam must be taken. A $225 license fee is required for reciprocity applicants. Out-of-country applicants must take the written theory exam. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Michigan | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Michigan offers reciprocity to barbers licensed in other states, jurisdictions, or countries if their licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to Michigan's (1,800 hours of training) and they have held an active license for at least 1 of the 3 years immediately preceding the application. A license may be denied if disciplinary action has occurred or is pending in another state. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Minnesota offers reciprocity on a case-by-case basis, evaluating an applicant's education and experience to ensure it's substantially similar to Minnesota's 1,500-hour requirement. They have reciprocity agreements with North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, and Kansas. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | edit_note Exam required | Mississippi may issue a license by reciprocity to applicants holding a valid current license in another state with similar educational requirements and who pass an examination. Reciprocity is determined on a case-by-case basis. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Missouri | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Missouri offers reciprocity to applicants with a current license from another state or territory with equivalent or greater training requirements, or who have lawfully practiced for at least two years. Applicants must pass a Missouri state law exam and pay a $100 reciprocity fee. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Montana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | 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. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nebraska has reciprocity with many states. Applicants must have an active, valid barber license and their training must be equivalent to Nebraska's requirements. If training hours are less than 1800, an affidavit of employment may be required. There is a $265 fee for reciprocity applications. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nevada | edit_note Exam required | Nevada accepts training from other states. Applicants licensed in another state must take the Nevada examination and provide proof of 5 years of barbering experience within the last 10 years. The Georgia State Board of Barbers does not endorse licenses from Nevada. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Hampshire offers universal license recognition for out-of-state licenses that are substantially similar to New Hampshire's requirements. Specific states mentioned for Master Barber reciprocity are Delaware, Georgia, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia. Applicants may need to pass a New Hampshire state law exam and have one year of professional experience. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | edit_note Exam required | New Jersey offers licensure by endorsement to cosmetologist-hairstylist applicants who satisfy NJ requirements and hold a current, active license in good standing as a barber or beautician in another state. Applicants must submit an 'out-of-state' application, required documentation, and pass the New Jersey Board's examination. The Board will not accept hours, diplomas, or certificates; hours completed in an out-of-state licensed school must be transferred to a licensed school in New Jersey. Work experience must be in a licensed salon in the state where the license was held within the last five years. If the originating state does not require a practical examination, the applicant will not qualify for endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Mexico offers reciprocity to applicants licensed in other states with substantially equivalent or higher requirements (1,200 hours). Applicants must provide an affidavit from their home state's regulatory agency verifying hours and current good standing, complete an application, and submit a jurisprudence exam and fee. Work experience can substitute for up to 150 hours of training if the applicant has fewer than the required 1,200 hours. New Mexico has a reciprocal agreement with New York, Maine, and Pennsylvania, waiving the practical exam for barbers licensed in those states. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New York | help_outline Check with board | Maine, New Mexico, Pennsylvania Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | edit_note Exam required | North Carolina offers reciprocity to barbers licensed in other states with substantially similar requirements (at least 1,500 hours of training and 3 years of recent, licensed work experience). A verification letter from the home state's licensing agency is required. Some applicants may still need to pass North Carolina's barber exam. Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | North Dakota offers reciprocity to barbers licensed in other states with substantially similar requirements (at least 1,500 hours of training). Applicants may receive credit for 50 educational hours for each month they practiced as a licensed barber in another state if their initial training hours were less than North Dakota's requirement. Military spouses may also apply for a waiver and reciprocity. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Ohio | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Ohio may extend reciprocity to individuals holding a current, valid barber license from another state with substantially equivalent licensing requirements (1,800 hours of training). A non-refundable fee of $73.50 is required. Reciprocity applicants based on out-of-country licensure must take and pass the appropriate Ohio examination and pay a non-refundable fee of $303.50. All reciprocity applicants must complete human trafficking training prior to license issuance. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oklahoma offers reciprocity for barbers licensed in other states with substantially equivalent training and no disciplinary actions. Applicants must pass Oklahoma's state rules, regulations, and law test. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oregon | edit_note Exam required | Oregon accepts reciprocity from all U.S. states, territories, and foreign countries. Applicants must hold an active license in good standing, have their current state board send official verification, and pass the Oregon Laws & Rules written exam and the Barbering written exam. A reciprocity application fee of $100 and a certification fee of $65 also apply. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | help_outline Check with board | California, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Requires educational requirements to be equivalent to Rhode Island's. Applicants must submit credentials and verification of licensure in good standing from other states. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | South Carolina offers reciprocity to barbers licensed in other states who have passed the National Interstate Council (NIC) examination (theory and practical) and meet other requirements, such as having a current, good-standing license and having practiced for at least one year. South Carolina does not accept apprentice licenses. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | edit_note Exam required | Reciprocity varies by state. Training must be equivalent to SD's 1,500 hours. If fewer hours, 50 hours credit for each month practiced as a licensed barber. If no apprenticeship, must have practiced as a licensed barber for one year. Journeyman Barber Permit may be issued if state has no reciprocity agreement, requirements are roughly equivalent, or applicant practiced for at least five years. Journeyman Barbers must eventually pass the examination. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | help_outline Check with board | All states with comparable licensing requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Texas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Texas does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for barbers. However, TDLR evaluates out-of-state licenses for substantial equivalence on a case-by-case basis. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Utah | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Utah offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees who meet Utah's educational requirements (1,000 hours) or provide evidence of a combination of education and experience totaling 1,000 hours, and pass an equivalent examination. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Vermont | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Vermont offers reciprocity to applicants who hold an active license in another jurisdiction with equivalent or greater education requirements (1000 hours of training or 1500 hours of professional experience over one year). Applicants must also pass the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Virginia offers licensure by endorsement for applicants holding a current, valid barber license from another state or U.S. Territory with substantially equivalent training and examination requirements. If training hours are less than 80% of Virginia's requirement, five years of work experience may substitute for training. Universal License Recognition (ULR) is also available for qualified out-of-state applicants who have been licensed for at least three years, passed an examination, met training standards, have no disciplinary actions or disqualifying criminal record. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Washington | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Washington offers reciprocity for barbers licensed in other states who have a valid license and have passed both a practical and written exam. A $60 reciprocity fee applies. Official state board arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | edit_note Exam required | 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. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Wisconsin offers licensure by endorsement for individuals licensed in other states, provided their training requirements are substantially equivalent or greater than Wisconsin's, and they complete a one-hour course on Wisconsin statutes and administrative code. If requirements are not met, applicants may need to take the state exams. Wisconsin does not have specific reciprocity agreements with individual states listed, but evaluates on a case-by-case basis. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Wyoming offers licensure by endorsement for barbers licensed in other states with equivalent or greater requirements. Some sources indicate reciprocity with AR, CA, CO. Official state board arrow_outward |
Barber reciprocity: common questions
Does a barber license transfer to another state?
Barber licenses are broadly portable across the US — 38 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still requires a state-specific law and business exam. It depends on the destination state — see the state-by-state table above.
Which states license out-of-state barbers by endorsement?
37 states and DC issue a new license by endorsement — an application, fees and verification of your current credential, typically without retaking the main exam: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
Which states make barbers take an exam to transfer?
10 states require a state exam or state-specific training before licensing an out-of-state barber: Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, West Virginia. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
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How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-10-15
Reciprocity tiers and summaries are compiled from each state's licensing board and department of professional regulation — linked per row above — and reviewed against public board guidance. Licensing rules change frequently and often depend on your license class (for example journeyman vs. master) and the specific states involved. Always confirm current requirements directly with the destination state's board before making a career or relocation decision. This page is informational and is not legal or licensing advice.
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