Minnesota licenses barbers through the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners (BBE), a separate agency from the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. You need a Minnesota barber registration to legally perform hair cutting, shaving, beard grooming, and other barbering services for compensation anywhere in Minnesota.
Minnesota has a unique two-step licensing system: you must first complete 1,500 hours of barber school and pass an apprentice exam, then practice as a registered apprentice for 12 months before taking the registered (master) barber exam. The Board administers its own exams rather than using PSI or NIC. The total cost including student permit, exams, and certificates is approximately $215. The full process from enrollment to registered barber takes approximately 2 to 2.5 years. Here is exactly how to do it.
Minnesota Barber License Requirements at a Glance
| Governing Agency | Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners (BBE) |
| Minimum Age | Approximately 16–17 (must complete 10 grades of education) |
| Education Prerequisite | Completion of 10 grades of education or equivalent |
| Training Hours Required | 1,500 hours at a Board-approved barber school |
| Apprenticeship Required? | Yes — 12 months as a registered apprentice barber after passing apprentice exam |
| State Board Exam | Board-administered written + practical exams (NOT PSI or NIC) |
| Passing Score | 75% on practical sections; written score set per exam |
| Student Permit Fee | $45 |
| Apprentice Exam & Certificate | $85 |
| Registered Barber Exam & Certificate | $85 |
| Total Initial Cost | ~$215 (excluding tuition) |
| Renewal Cycle | Annual (expires December 31) |
| Renewal Fee | $80 |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Apply Online | BBE Online Portal |
| Board Website | mn.gov/boards/barber-examiners |
Recent Changes to Minnesota Barber Licensing
HF 2126 (2025 — proposed, not yet enacted): A bill introduced in the 94th Legislature proposes significant reforms to Minnesota barbering law, including changing the education requirement from “10 grades of education” to a minimum age of 17, creating a regulatory framework for mobile barbershops, allowing board-approved external exam providers, granting cosmetologists up to 1,000 hours of credit toward the 1,500-hour barber training, removing the requirement for 500 additional hours after exam failure (replacing it with a home study course), and explicitly clarifying that waxing is not barbering. As of February 2026, this bill has been referred to committee and has not been enacted.
2021 OLA Report: The Office of the Legislative Auditor published a program evaluation recommending the Legislature consider merging the Board of Barber Examiners and Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. Both boards rejected the merger recommendation but expressed openness to establishing credential reciprocity between the two professions.
Step 1: Meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To pursue a barber license in Minnesota, you must have completed 10 grades of education (approximately 10th grade) or its equivalent, verified through transcript, diploma, high school equivalency certificate, or examination. This effectively sets the minimum age at approximately 16 to 17 years old.
If you are deciding between barbering and cosmetology in Minnesota, be aware that these are governed by separate boards with no reciprocity between licenses. A cosmetology license does not qualify you for barber services, and vice versa. For a comparison of the two career paths, see our Barber vs Cosmetology License guide.
Step 2: Complete 1,500 Hours at a Board-Approved School
You must complete 1,500 clock hours of instruction at a barber school approved by the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners. You must first obtain a student permit ($45) from the Board before beginning training.
Curriculum breakdown (per Minnesota Administrative Rules Chapter 2100):
- At least 281 classroom hours (theory) covering scientific fundamentals, hygiene, hair and skin structure, chemistry, sanitation, and disease recognition
- At least 1,219 practical hours covering hair cutting, clipper techniques, shaving, facial hair grooming, massage techniques, hair coloring, chemical services, and styling
Most full-time programs take 10 to 12 months to complete. Part-time schedules may extend the timeline. Tuition varies by school.
Crossover from cosmetology: Currently, there is no credit transfer between cosmetology and barber licenses in Minnesota. Cosmetologists must complete the full 1,500-hour barber curriculum. However, HF 2126 (2025 proposed legislation) would allow cosmetologists to receive up to 1,000 hours of credit.
Minnesota’s 1,500-hour barber requirement is above the national average. See how all states compare in our barber license requirements by state guide.
Step 3: Pass the Apprentice Barber Exam
After completing your 1,500 hours of training, you must pass the apprentice barber exam. Unlike cosmetology licensing in Minnesota (which uses PSI), the Board of Barber Examiners administers its own exams directly.
Exam components:
- Written exam: 100 multiple-choice and true/false questions covering barber school curriculum, sanitation, disinfection, infection control, and Minnesota statutes and rules
- Practical exam: Full-face straight razor shave, taper haircut, facial, and rolling perm rods
Exam schedule: Exams are held four times per year on the first Monday of February, May, August, and November. Written exams precede practical exams. Applications must be submitted by the 20th of the month preceding the exam month.
Exam fee: $85 (includes exam and apprentice certificate). Written exam retake fee: $10.
How to apply: Submit a notarized application with proof of qualifications and government-issued photo ID through the BBE online portal or by mail.
Step 4: Complete 12-Month Apprenticeship
After passing the apprentice exam and receiving your registered apprentice certificate, you must practice as an apprentice for 12 months under the immediate personal supervision of a registered barber in a Board-registered barbershop.
Key apprenticeship rules:
- You must work under the immediate personal supervision of a registered barber at all times
- You may only practice in a registered barbershop
- The supervising barber must be physically present in the shop while you work
Step 5: Pass the Registered Barber Exam
After completing your 12-month apprenticeship, you are eligible to take the registered (master) barber exam:
Exam components:
- Written exam: 100 multiple-choice and true/false questions (comprehensive)
- Practical exam: Haircut, shave or beard trim, and two additional services selected from shampoo, permanent wave, facial, or color application
Passing scores: Minimum 75% on haircut practical; average of 75% minimum on remaining practical sections.
Exam fee: $85 (includes exam and registered barber certificate).
After passing, you receive your registered barber certificate of registration and can practice independently in any registered barbershop in Minnesota.
Minnesota Barber License Fee Summary
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student Permit (initial) | $45 |
| Student Permit Renewal | $25 |
| Apprentice Exam & Certificate | $85 |
| Registered Barber Exam & Certificate | $85 |
| Total Initial Cost | $215 |
| Written Exam Retake | $10 |
| Annual Renewal (Registered Barber) | $80 |
| Restoration of Registration (lapsed) | $95 |
| Duplicate Registration | $40 |
| Registration Verification Letter | $25 |
| Temporary Military Barber Certificate | $85 |
| Shop Registration (initial) | $85 |
| Shop Renewal (annual) | $85 |
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Minnesota barber registrations renew annually, with barber and instructor renewals due by December 31 of each year. Shop renewals are due by June 30. The renewal fee for registered barbers is $80.
Minnesota does not require continuing education for barber license renewal. You simply pay the renewal fee and submit your renewal through the BBE online portal.
Lapsed license: If your registration lapses for 4 or more years, you must retake the registered barber exam to reinstate (Minnesota Statutes 154.09). The restoration fee is $95.
Reciprocity & License Transfer
Minnesota offers reciprocity for barbers licensed in other states under Minnesota Statutes 154.11. The Board has existing reciprocity agreements with North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, and Kansas.
Reciprocity process:
- Applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis
- You must hold a currently active barber license in good standing from another state
- Your state’s requirements must be “substantially the same” as Minnesota’s
- If approved, you may receive registration without examination
- Required documentation: completed reciprocity application, copy of current license, barber school details, and letter of verification from your home state board
If your qualifications do not meet Minnesota’s standards, additional training and/or the Minnesota barber exam may be required.
No reciprocity between barber and cosmetology: A cosmetology license from any state cannot be used to obtain a Minnesota barber registration. Each credential requires meeting all requirements of the respective board independently. Barbers transferring from states like Illinois (1,500 hours) or Michigan (1,800 hours) with equivalent or greater training may qualify for registration without examination.
Military Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses
Minnesota provides licensing accommodations for military-connected applicants under Minnesota Statutes 197.4552 and 154.003:
- Temporary military barber certificate: Valid for 1 year from date of issuance. Fee: $85.
- Eligibility: Active-duty military members, military spouses, and veterans with honorable or general discharge within the past 2 years who hold a valid barber license from another state with no disciplinary history
- Expedited processing: The Board must establish procedures to expedite license issuance for qualifying military applicants
- Temporary practice: Military applicants can practice under the temporary certificate while completing the full Minnesota application requirements
What Can You Do with a Minnesota Barber License?
A Minnesota barber registration authorizes you to perform:
- Shaving the face or neck
- Trimming the beard
- Hair cutting, cleaning, conditioning, coloring, shaping, or straightening
- Facial and scalp massage with oils, creams, lotions, or other preparations
- Singeing, shampooing, or applying hair tonics
- Applying cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays, or lotions to hair, scalp, face, or neck
- Services performed in conjunction with selling hairpieces, wigs, or artificial hair applications
All services must be performed on the head, face, and neck for cosmetic purposes only. Barbers must work in a registered barbershop (unless prior Board authorization is obtained).
Services that do NOT require a barber license in Minnesota:
- Hair braiding
- Threading
- Makeup application alone
- Hairstyling without chemical treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a barber license in Minnesota?
The full process takes approximately 2 to 2.5 years. Barber school (1,500 hours) takes about 10 to 12 months full-time. After passing the apprentice exam, you must complete a 12-month apprenticeship before taking the registered barber exam. Exams are held quarterly.
How much does it cost to get a barber license in Minnesota?
The total licensing cost (excluding school tuition) is approximately $215: $45 student permit, $85 apprentice exam and certificate, and $85 registered barber exam and certificate. Annual renewal is $80.
Does Minnesota require continuing education to renew a barber license?
No. Minnesota does not require any continuing education for barber registration renewal. You simply pay the $80 annual renewal fee by December 31 each year.
Can I transfer my out-of-state barber license to Minnesota?
Yes, through reciprocity. Minnesota has formal agreements with North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, and Kansas. For other states, the Board evaluates applications case by case. Your state’s requirements must be substantially similar to Minnesota’s 1,500-hour standard. If approved, you may receive registration without examination.
Can a cosmetologist become a barber in Minnesota?
Currently, there is no credit transfer or reciprocity between cosmetology and barber licenses in Minnesota. Cosmetologists must complete the full 1,500-hour barber curriculum, pass the apprentice exam, complete a 12-month apprenticeship, and pass the registered barber exam. Proposed legislation (HF 2126) would allow cosmetologists up to 1,000 hours of credit, but this has not been enacted as of February 2026.
Why does Minnesota have separate barber and cosmetology boards?
Minnesota is one of the states that maintains separate licensing boards for barbers (Board of Barber Examiners, Chapter 154) and cosmetologists (Board of Cosmetologist Examiners, Chapter 155A). A 2021 report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor recommended the Legislature consider merging the two boards, but both boards rejected the recommendation. The separate boards mean different exam systems (Board-administered vs. PSI), different renewal cycles (annual vs. triennial), and no credential reciprocity between the two professions.
Does the Minnesota barber exam use PSI or NIC?
Neither. The Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners administers its own exams directly, four times per year (first Monday of February, May, August, and November). This is different from cosmetology licensing in Minnesota, which uses PSI-administered exams.
Official Resources
- Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners (official website)
- Online Application & Renewal Portal
- Fee Schedule (Minnesota Statutes 154.003)
- Minnesota Statutes Chapter 154 (barber law)
- Minnesota Administrative Rules Chapter 2100 (Board rules)
- Board Contact: (651) 201-2820 | BBE.Board@state.mn.us
- Board Address: 335 Randolph Avenue, Suite 120, Saint Paul, MN 55102
- Walk-in Hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Monday–Friday (afternoon visits by appointment)