Connecticut licenses barbers through the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), overseen by the Examining Board for Barbers, Hairdressers, and Cosmeticians. You need a Connecticut barber license to legally perform hair cutting, shaving, beard grooming, and other barbering services for compensation anywhere in the state.
Connecticut requires 1,000 hours of approved training (or completion of a Department of Labor apprenticeship) plus a written-only exam administered by Prometric. There is no practical exam. The total cost including the exam and license application is approximately $165. Most people complete the full process in 7 to 10 months. Here is exactly how to do it.
Connecticut Barber License Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Official License Title | Master Barber |
| Governing Agency | Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) |
| Statutory Authority | Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 386, Sections 20-234 through 20-249 |
| Minimum Age | Not specified by statute |
| Education Prerequisite | Successful completion of the 8th grade or equivalent |
| Training Hours Required | 1,000 hours at a Board-approved barber school OR CT Department of Labor apprenticeship |
| Licensing Exam | Written exam only (Prometric) — no practical exam |
| Exam Fee | $65 (paid to Prometric) |
| License Application Fee | $100 (paid to DPH) |
| Total Initial Cost (state fees) | Approximately $165 (excluding tuition) |
| License Term | 2 years (biennial renewal) |
| Renewal Fee | $100 every 2 years |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Apply Online | eLicense Connecticut |
| Board Website | CT DPH Barber Licensing |
Education and Training Requirements
Connecticut requires completion of at least 1,000 hours of barber training at a school approved by the Connecticut State Board for Barbers, Hairdressers, and Cosmeticians. You must have successfully completed at least the 8th grade or its equivalent before enrolling.
The barber curriculum includes a minimum of 150 hours devoted to the theoretical aspects of all content areas, with the remaining 850 hours devoted to supervised practical training integrated with related instruction. Subject areas include:
- Shaving and beard trimming
- Hair cutting, styling, and tapering
- Facial and scalp massage
- Shampooing, singeing, and dyeing hair
- Application of cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams, powders, oils, and clays to the scalp, face, and neck
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Basic chemistry and anatomy
- Infection control
- Connecticut laws and regulations
Full-time programs typically take 7 to 9 months. Education completed outside Connecticut is acceptable provided the school was approved by the appropriate regulatory body of the state in which it was located.
Apprenticeship Alternative: Connecticut offers a barber apprenticeship through the Connecticut Department of Labor. The barbering apprenticeship requires 2,000 on-the-job hours plus 150 classroom/theory hours. Apprentices must have completed the 8th grade and must still pass the Prometric written exam after completing the apprenticeship. Contact Owen Golding at (860) 263-6083 or Larry Satchell at (860) 263-6084 for details.
If you are deciding between barbering and cosmetology, Connecticut requires 1,000 hours for barbers and 1,500 hours for cosmetologists. Barbering focuses on hair cutting, shaving, and grooming of the head, face, and neck, while cosmetology covers hair services plus skin care and other services on the face, neck, and arms. For a full comparison, see our Barber vs Cosmetology License guide.
For a comparison of barber licensing requirements across all states, see our complete barber license guide. You can also compare requirements in nearby states like New York and California.
Exam Requirements
Connecticut requires only a written exam administered by Prometric. There is no practical (hands-on) exam for barber licensure in Connecticut.
Exam details:
- Exam Provider: Prometric
- Format: Closed-book, computer-based, multiple-choice questions
- Passing Score: 70% or higher
- Exam Fee: $65 (paid directly to Prometric when scheduling)
- Languages: Available in English and Spanish
Exam content covers: Barbering theory, sanitation and infection control, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, hair cutting techniques, shaving and facial hair grooming, Connecticut laws and rules.
How to register: After completing your training, register for the exam through Prometric’s website. Obtain the Candidate Information Bulletin from Prometric for detailed exam content outlines and testing center locations. Scores must be submitted directly to the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Application Process and Fees
After completing your training and passing the Prometric exam, follow these steps to apply for your Connecticut barber license:
- Create an account on eLicense Connecticut
- Select “Initial Application” and navigate to the barber category
- Complete the online application with a photograph
- Include a notarized statement indicating completion of the 8th grade
- Pay the $100 application fee online
- Ensure your barber school submits the Affidavit of Hours form directly to DPH
- Ensure your Prometric exam scores are submitted directly to DPH
- If you hold or have held a license in any other state, submit license verification forms from those states
Applications are accepted online only through eLicense Connecticut. Mail supporting documentation to: Connecticut Department of Public Health, Barber Licensing, 410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP, Hartford, CT 06134.
| Fee Type | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | $65 | Prometric |
| License Application | $100 | CT DPH |
| Total Initial Cost | $165 | |
| Biennial Renewal | $100 | CT DPH |
| Reinstatement (lapsed license) | $100 | CT DPH |
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Connecticut barber licenses must be renewed every two years per CGS Section 20-239. The renewal fee is $100.
Connecticut does not require continuing education for barber license renewal. You simply pay the renewal fee and complete the online renewal through eLicense Connecticut.
Reinstatement: If your license lapses, you may apply for reinstatement through the eLicense portal by paying a $100 reinstatement fee.
Reciprocity and License Transfer
Connecticut accepts out-of-state barber licenses for transfer. To qualify, you must hold a current barber license in good standing from another U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or territory.
Your original license must have been issued based on successful completion of a program of education and training in barbering and successful completion of an examination. Submit license verification forms from all states where you have been licensed (current or expired). These forms must come directly from the issuing state authority.
4-Year Rule: Connecticut offers an additional pathway for applicants who have been licensed in another U.S. state for at least four years.
The application fee for transfer is $100. Applications are submitted online only through eLicense Connecticut.
Military Provisions
Connecticut recognizes the license portability provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 USC Section 4025a. Under these provisions, servicemembers and their spouses may use their professional licenses when they relocate to Connecticut due to military orders.
To qualify, you must:
- Be a servicemember ordered to active duty in Connecticut, or the spouse of such a servicemember
- Hold a current professional license in good standing from another jurisdiction
- Submit a completed online application through eLicense Connecticut
- Provide a copy of military orders assigning you or your spouse to Connecticut
- Provide a copy of your marriage license (for spouses)
- Submit a notarized affidavit confirming you have practiced in the profession within the previous two years
The credential remains valid for the duration of your military orders in Connecticut.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a barber license in Connecticut?
Most people complete the process in 7 to 10 months. Full-time barber programs (1,000 hours) typically take 7 to 9 months. After completing training, exam scheduling and license processing add several weeks. The apprenticeship pathway takes longer, requiring 2,000 on-the-job hours plus 150 classroom hours.
How much does it cost to get a barber license in Connecticut?
The total state licensing cost (excluding school tuition) is approximately $165: $65 for the Prometric written exam and $100 for the DPH license application. Tuition at Connecticut barber schools varies by institution.
Does Connecticut require a practical exam for barbering?
No. Connecticut requires only a written exam administered by Prometric. There is no practical (hands-on) exam for the barber license. Most other states require both written and practical exams.
Does Connecticut require continuing education for barbers?
No. Connecticut does not require continuing education for barber license renewal. You simply pay the $100 biennial renewal fee.
Can I transfer my out-of-state barber license to Connecticut?
Yes. You must hold a current barber license in good standing from another U.S. state, D.C., or U.S. territory. Your original license must have been based on education and an exam. Submit license verification forms from all states where you have been licensed. The application fee is $100.
What is the difference between a barber and cosmetology license in Connecticut?
Barbers require 1,000 hours and focus on hair cutting, shaving, and grooming of the head, face, and neck. Cosmetologists (hairdressers) require 1,500 hours and cover hair services plus skin care and other services on the face, neck, and arms. Both use the same $100 application fee and biennial renewal structure.
Official Resources
- Connecticut DPH Barber Licensing (official website)
- eLicense Connecticut — Online License Application
- Prometric Connecticut Cosmetology/Barber Exam (exam registration)
- Out-of-State License Transfer Information
- CT Department of Labor Barber Apprenticeship Program
- Barber School Curriculum Requirements
- DPH Contact: (860) 509-7603 | Email: dph.hairdresserteam@ct.gov
- Mailing Address: Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP, Hartford, CT 06134