Wyoming licenses barbers through the Wyoming Board of Barber Examiners, a separate board from the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology, though both share the same office in Cheyenne and the same website at cosmetology.wyo.gov. You need a Wyoming barber license to legally perform hair cutting, shaving, beard grooming, and other barbering services for compensation anywhere in Wyoming.
Wyoming offers two barber licenses: Barber Stylist (1,250 hours, includes chemical services like coloring) and Barber (1,000 hours, no chemicals). Licensed cosmetologists and hairstylists can cross over to barbering with far fewer hours. State fees are $75 for the license, with exam costs depending on which license you pursue. Barber licenses renew annually at $75, on a different schedule from Wyoming’s cosmetology licenses. Here is exactly how to do it.
Fees, hours, and procedures on this page were verified against the Wyoming Board of Barber Examiners’ current applications, rules, statute, and website in August 2026. Always confirm details with the Board before applying.
Wyoming Barber License Requirements at a Glance
| Governing Agency | Wyoming Board of Barber Examiners |
| License Types | Barber Stylist (chemical services) and Barber (no chemicals); plus Instructor |
| Training Hours Required | Barber Stylist: 1,250 hours; Barber (no chemicals): 1,000 hours (Barber Rules, Ch. 8, Secs. 8-2 and 8-3) |
| Crossover for Licensed Professionals | Wyoming cosmetologists: 150 hours; Wyoming hairstylists: 200 hours (Barber Rules, Ch. 8, Secs. 8-5 and 8-6) |
| Apprenticeship Available? | No in-state apprenticeship pathway; out-of-state state-approved apprenticeship graduates may qualify for endorsement |
| Minimum Age | 17 years old (W.S. 33-7-209) |
| Education Prerequisite | Equivalent to completion of the second year of high school (W.S. 33-7-209) |
| Exams | Barber Stylist: NIC theory + written-practical via ProV. Barber (no chemicals) and Instructor: NIC computer-based theory via ProV + hands-on practical at the Board office |
| Exam Fees | ProV-administered exams paid directly to ProV; the Board’s hands-on practical (Barber and Instructor only) is $50 paid to the Board |
| License Fee | $75, submitted with the exam application (money order or cashier’s check only) |
| Renewal Cycle | Annual | $75, with a $30 late fee after June 30 |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Applications & Forms | Board applications and forms page (renewals can be completed online) |
| Board Website | cosmetology.wyo.gov/barber-information |
Education & Training Requirements
Wyoming’s barber training requirements are set by the Board’s rules (Chapter 8, Course of Study), published on the Board’s Rules and Regulations page and at the Wyoming Secretary of State’s rules portal, rules.wyo.gov. Which program you need depends on which license you want:
- Barber Stylist (1,250 hours): The full license, covering hair cutting, shaving, and grooming plus chemical services such as coloring and texture services.
- Barber, no chemicals (1,000 hours): Hair cutting, trimming and tapering, shaving and facial hair grooming, scalp treatments and shampooing, without chemical services.
Both programs also cover sanitation and infection control, Wyoming laws and rules, and shop management. Under the statute (W.S. 33-7-209), applicants must be at least 17 years old with an education equivalent to completing the second year of high school.
Crossover pathways for licensed professionals: This is one of Wyoming’s best-kept licensing secrets, since it appears only in the Board’s rules. A licensed Wyoming cosmetologist can qualify for the barber stylist examination with just 150 hours of crossover coursework, and a licensed Wyoming hairstylist with 200 hours (Barber Rules, Ch. 8, Secs. 8-5 and 8-6; W.S. 33-7-209). The crossover also runs the other direction: a Wyoming barber stylist can qualify for the cosmetology exam with 350 additional hours, and a barber (no chemicals) with 600 hours, under the Cosmetology Board’s rules.
No in-state apprenticeship: Wyoming does not offer an apprenticeship pathway to a barber license; training must be completed at a Board-recognized school. (Applicants moving to Wyoming who trained through another state’s officially approved apprenticeship program may qualify for licensure by endorsement; see the reciprocity section below.)
Board-recognized barber schools: The Board currently lists four: Cheeks International (Cheyenne), Chopped Beauty Academy (Lovell), Eastern Wyoming College (Torrington), and Rocky Mountain Academy (Casper). See the Board’s current school list.
Separate board from cosmetology: While the Board of Barber Examiners and the Board of Cosmetology share a website and office, they are separate regulatory bodies with different fees, requirements, and renewal schedules. The barber board can be reached at 307-777-8572.
If you are deciding between barbering and cosmetology in Wyoming, note that a barber stylist requires 1,250 hours while a cosmetologist requires 1,600. Barbering focuses on hair cutting, shaving, and grooming, while cosmetology covers hair, skin, and nails. For a full comparison, see our barber vs cosmetology license guide. To see how all states compare, visit our barber license requirements by state guide.
Exam Requirements
The exam process differs by license type, so read the section for the license you’re pursuing.
Barber Stylist
Wyoming requires the NIC theory and written-practical examinations, administered by ProV at testing centers around the state. The practical component is a written exam about barbering procedures, not a live demonstration, so you do not bring tools or a model. Once the Board approves your application, ProV emails you instructions to schedule and pay for both exams; ProV sets those fees.
Barber (no chemicals) and Instructor
These license types use a two-step process. First, pass the NIC computer-based theory exam through ProV (paid directly to ProV). Then contact the Board office at 307-777-3534 to schedule your hands-on practical exam, which is conducted at the Board office at 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, by appointment only. The Board’s fee for the hands-on practical is $50, submitted with your application.
Passing Score: Set out in the current candidate information bulletins, linked from the Board’s exam and student information page.
Retake Policy: Under the Board’s rules, if you fail you retake only the phase you failed, registering and paying the appropriate fee to the Board office or the test administration company, depending on which administers that phase.
After passing both exams, the Board issues your license. You must have your license in hand, and posted at your place of employment, before working.
Application Process & Fees
- Complete the required hours at a Board-recognized barber school (1,250 for barber stylist; 1,000 for barber, no chemicals), or equal or greater hours at a school recognized by another state.
- Mail the notarized Application for Examination for your license type to the Board (2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, WY 82002) with proof of lawful presence, a current passport-type photo, certification of your hours, and payment by money order or cashier’s check: $75 license fee for barber stylist, or $125 ($75 license plus $50 practical exam) for barber (no chemicals) or instructor.
- Wait for Board approval. ProV will email you instructions to schedule and pay for your ProV-administered exam(s).
- Pass your exams (for barber and instructor candidates, schedule the hands-on practical at the Board office after passing theory).
- The Board issues your license. You must have it in hand and posted at your shop before performing any services.
Wyoming Barber License Fee Summary
| Fee Type | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| License Fee (with exam application) | $75 (money order or cashier’s check only) | Board of Barber Examiners |
| ProV-Administered Exams | Set by ProV; see current candidate bulletin | ProV (at scheduling) |
| Hands-On Practical (Barber and Instructor only) | $50 | Board of Barber Examiners |
| Annual Renewal | $75, plus $30 late fee after June 30 | Board of Barber Examiners |
| Endorsement (Out-of-State Transfer) | $225 total ($150 endorsement + $75 license); money order only | Board of Barber Examiners |
Under the Board’s rules, fees are non-refundable. Fee amounts above come from the Board’s current application forms on the Applications and Forms page and the Board’s fee rules.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Wyoming barber licenses renew annually. The renewal fee is $75, with a $30 late fee after June 30, so the renewal year runs on a fixed calendar deadline. A current passport-type photo is now required to renew. This differs from Wyoming’s cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology licenses, which renew every two years ($96) on a birth-month cycle.
You can renew online at cosmetology.wyo.gov/barber-information (credit or debit card, with photo upload) or by mailing the renewal form with a check or money order.
Wyoming does not require continuing education for barber license renewal. You simply submit your renewal, photo if not on file, and the fee before the deadline.
If you fail to renew on time, contact the Board at 307-777-8572 for reinstatement procedures.
Reciprocity & License Transfer
Wyoming offers licensure by endorsement for barbers, barber stylists, and instructors licensed in other states or countries. Under the statute, your licensing state’s requirements must meet or exceed Wyoming’s (W.S. 33-7-209). The endorsement fee is $225 ($150 endorsement plus $75 license), payable by money order only and non-refundable. You must:
- Hold a current license from another state or country
- Have graduated from a licensed school or a state-approved apprenticeship program
- Have passed a state examination given by a state board or testing company
- Submit a notarized application by mail with proof of lawful presence and a current photo
- Request certifications and/or verifications from every state where you have ever held a professional license, sent directly to the Board (states can email them to cosmetology@wyo.gov)
Note that the barber board’s certification requirement is broader than the cosmetology board’s: it covers every state you have ever been licensed in, not just your original and current states. Documents not in English must be accompanied by an English translation.
If you are considering transferring to other states, compare barber requirements in Colorado or Texas.
Military Provisions
Wyoming’s barber endorsement application asks whether you or your spouse are active military, and the Board can assist service members and military spouses with licensing. Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, as amended in 2023, military spouses with professional licenses in good standing may practice in their new duty-station state under certain conditions, and each military branch reimburses spouses up to $1,000 for relocation-related licensing costs.
Contact the Wyoming Board of Barber Examiners at 307-777-8572 for specific military licensing procedures and any available accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many training hours do I need for a Wyoming barber license?
It depends on the license. A barber stylist license (which includes chemical services like coloring) requires 1,250 hours; a barber license (no chemicals) requires 1,000 hours (Barber Rules, Ch. 8). Licensed Wyoming cosmetologists can qualify for the barber stylist exam with 150 crossover hours, and licensed hairstylists with 200.
How much does it cost to get a barber license in Wyoming?
The license fee is $75, paid to the Board of Barber Examiners with your exam application (money order or cashier’s check only). Barber stylist candidates pay their exam fees directly to ProV, the test administrator, at scheduling. Barber (no chemicals) and instructor candidates pay ProV for the computer-based theory exam plus $50 to the Board for the hands-on practical, for a total of $125 to the Board with their application.
Does Wyoming require continuing education to renew a barber license?
No. Wyoming does not require any continuing education for barber license renewal. You simply pay the $75 annual renewal fee before the June 30 deadline (a $30 late fee applies afterward) and provide a current photo if one is not on file.
Is the Wyoming barber board the same as the cosmetology board?
No. Wyoming has a separate Board of Barber Examiners, although it shares a website and office with the Board of Cosmetology. The barber board has its own rules, fees, and renewal schedule: barber licenses renew annually at $75 with a June 30 deadline, while cosmetology licenses renew every two years at $96 on a birth-month cycle. The barber board’s phone number is 307-777-8572.
Can I transfer my out-of-state barber license to Wyoming?
Yes, through endorsement, if your licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed Wyoming’s. The fee is $225 (money order only, non-refundable). You must hold a current license, have graduated from a licensed school or state-approved apprenticeship program, have passed a state examination, and have certifications sent to the Board from every state where you have ever held a professional license.
Can a cosmetologist become a barber in Wyoming?
Yes, and faster than most people expect. A licensed Wyoming cosmetologist can qualify for the barber stylist examination after just 150 hours of crossover coursework at a barber school, and a licensed hairstylist after 200 hours (Barber Rules, Ch. 8, Secs. 8-5 and 8-6).
What is the difference between a barber and cosmetologist in Wyoming?
A Wyoming barber stylist trains 1,250 hours and focuses on hair cutting, shaving, grooming, and chemical hair services; a barber (no chemicals) trains 1,000 hours without chemical services. A cosmetologist trains 1,600 hours across hair, skin, and nail services. Barbering is regulated by the Board of Barber Examiners and cosmetology by the Board of Cosmetology, with crossover pathways between the two.
Official Resources
- Wyoming Board of Barber Examiners (official website)
- Barber Board Rules and Regulations (course of study: Ch. 8; fees: Ch. 3; also at rules.wyo.gov)
- Applications and Forms
- Exam and Student Information
- Board-Recognized Wyoming Barber Schools
- License Verification
- Board Phone: 307-777-8572
- Board Address: 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, WY 82002