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Kansas Barber — Requirements & Free Practice

US-KS · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

License to Practice Barbering

Licensing authority: Kansas Board of Barbering · Application information

Licensure by examination after approved barber school graduation

All of the following:

Application
File the Board application and pay the required examination and licensing fees; K.A.R. 61-5-1 requires the completed examination application at least 15 days before the examination. Active military spouses receive the fee exemption in K.S.A. 48-3406(u).
Barber education
Graduate of a barber school or college approved by the Board; school instruction must meet K.S.A. 65-1810 and K.A.R. 61-3. The statutory completion window is 18 months; the Board rule compilation says nine months.
Character
Good moral character and temperate habits.
General education
Accredited high-school graduation or equivalent high-school education.
Minimum age
At least 16 years old under K.S.A. 65-1812(a)(1).
Passing standard
At least 80% on each examination.
School examinations
Satisfactorily pass the school examinations covering the entire course under K.A.R. 61-3-18; these educational assessments are conditions, not Board licensing examination leaves.
Sequence
Pass NIC Barber Styling Theory before the Board practical and Kansas rules examinations.
Recognition of private occupational certification and work experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a complete application and signed affidavit verifying information and employment history; pay applicable fees, with the active-military-spouse exemption.
Board discretion
Under subsection (f), the applicant may receive the occupational license upon a complete application.
Conduct
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(E): no disqualifying conduct, discipline or unresolved proceedings and no disqualifying criminal record.
Eligible applicant
A military servicemember or spouse residing or planning to reside in Kansas due to assigned military station, or an individual who has established or intends to establish Kansas residency.
Financial requirements
Provide solvency, financial standing, bonding or insurance only to the same extent required of similarly situated applicants, if the Board requires it.
Private certification
Hold current valid private certification in good standing in a jurisdiction that does not regulate the occupation by occupational license or government certification.
Public safety
The Board may deny issuance if granting it may jeopardize public health and safety under K.S.A. 48-3406(l).
Scope
This route applies when the Board accepts the certification and experience for the Kansas scope; materially narrower qualifications are handled under subsections (h) or (i).
Work experience
At least two years of work in the occupation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conversion after completing occupational recognition probation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold the applicable probationary license under K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2).
Probation
Upon completing the probationary period, no longer than six months, the license becomes non-probationary.
Truthfulness
The Board may revoke the probationary license if application information is false.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Recognition of experience in an occupation unregulated by the prior jurisdiction
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a complete application and signed affidavit verifying information and employment history; pay applicable fees, with the active-military-spouse exemption.
Board discretion
Under subsection (e), the applicant may receive the occupational license upon a complete application.
Conduct
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(E): no disqualifying conduct, discipline or unresolved proceedings and no disqualifying criminal record.
Eligible applicant
A military servicemember or spouse residing or planning to reside in Kansas due to assigned military station, or an individual who has established or intends to establish Kansas residency.
Financial requirements
Provide solvency, financial standing, bonding or insurance only to the same extent required of similarly situated applicants, if the Board requires it.
Public safety
The Board may deny issuance if granting it may jeopardize public health and safety under K.S.A. 48-3406(l).
Scope
This route applies when the Board accepts the experience for the Kansas occupational scope; materially narrower experience is handled by the temporary-permit provisions in subsections (h) or (i).
Work experience
Worked at least three of the four years immediately preceding application in a jurisdiction that does not regulate the occupation by occupational license, government certification, registration or private certification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination after Kansas cosmetology licensure and additional training

All of the following:

Additional training
Complete at least 500 hours of the adopted industry-related additional curriculum at a Kansas-licensed barber school or college.
Application
File the Board application and pay the required examination and licensing fees; K.A.R. 61-5-1 requires the completed examination application at least 15 days before the examination. Active military spouses receive the fee exemption in K.S.A. 48-3406(u).
Character
Good moral character and temperate habits.
Existing license
Hold a cosmetologist license issued by the Kansas Board of Cosmetology.
General education
Accredited high-school graduation or equivalent high-school education.
Minimum age
At least 16 years old under K.S.A. 65-1812(a)(1).
Passing standard
At least 80% on each examination.
Sequence
Pass NIC Barber Styling Theory before the Board practical and Kansas rules examinations.
Licensure by examination after equivalent education outside Kansas

All of the following:

Application
File the Board application and pay the required examination and licensing fees; K.A.R. 61-5-1 requires the completed examination application at least 15 days before the examination. Active military spouses receive the fee exemption in K.S.A. 48-3406(u).
Barber education
The Board identifies applicants who received equivalent barbering education elsewhere and did not take barber examinations there; submit education for Board approval.
Character
Good moral character and temperate habits.
General education
Accredited high-school graduation or equivalent high-school education.
Minimum age
At least 16 years old under K.S.A. 65-1812(a)(1).
Passing standard
At least 80% on each examination.
Sequence
Pass NIC Barber Styling Theory before the Board practical and Kansas rules examinations.
Reexamination after failure

All of the following:

Application
File the Board application and pay the required examination and licensing fees; K.A.R. 61-5-1 requires the completed examination application at least 15 days before the examination. Active military spouses receive the fee exemption in K.S.A. 48-3406(u).
Character
Good moral character and temperate habits.
General education
Accredited high-school graduation or equivalent high-school education.
Minimum age
At least 16 years old under K.S.A. 65-1812(a)(1).
Passing standard
At least 80% on each examination.
Previous failure
Previously examined in Kansas and failed one or more portions.
Retake limit
K.S.A. 65-1815 permits reexamination only on the failed portion; previously passed examinations remain leaves because they are currently offered, but do not have to be retaken.
Sequence
Pass NIC Barber Styling Theory before the Board practical and Kansas rules examinations.
Licensure by examination after correctional or disciplinary barracks barber training

All of the following:

Application
File the Board application and pay the required examination and licensing fees; K.A.R. 61-5-1 requires the completed examination application at least 15 days before the examination. Active military spouses receive the fee exemption in K.S.A. 48-3406(u).
Barber education
Satisfactorily complete the barber course at an institution controlled by the secretary of corrections or at the disciplinary barracks at Fort Leavenworth.
Character
Good moral character and temperate habits.
General education
Accredited high-school graduation or equivalent high-school education.
Minimum age
At least 16 years old under K.S.A. 65-1812(a)(1).
Passing standard
At least 80% on each examination.
Sequence
Pass NIC Barber Styling Theory before the Board practical and Kansas rules examinations.
Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Under K.A.R. 61-4-2, last-name initials A/B/C/M/N/O renew by March 31; D/E/F/P/Q/R by June 30; G/H/I/S/T/U by September 30; J/K/L/V/W/X/Y/Z by December 31.
Fee exemption
K.S.A. 48-3406(u) exempts spouses of active military servicemembers from renewal fees.
Frequency
Renew annually and pay the required fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after refusal, suspension or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Other requirements
Any independent expiration or initial-qualification requirement remains applicable; this route records removal of the disciplinary impediment under K.S.A. 65-1821.
Prior order
The license was refused, suspended or revoked.
Showing
Show the Board that the reason for the refusal, suspension or revocation no longer exists.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by statutory reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit an application for Board approval and required processing and licensing fees; applicable military-spouse fee exemption remains available.
Character
Good moral character and temperate habits.
Existing authorization
Legally authorized to practice barbering in a jurisdiction with substantially the same requirements that grants reciprocal authorization without examination to Kansas barbers.
Good standing
Submit a letter from the current licensing board verifying good standing.
Law acknowledgment
Certify in writing that the applicant has read, understands and will abide by Kansas barbering statutes and rules.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Practice
K.A.R. 61-6-2 requires at least 24 months of active licensure and practice, supported by notarized statements from past and current employers.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration after expiration of three or more years

All of the following:

Boundary conflict
K.S.A. 65-1819(b) uses three or more years. The lower-ranked Board exam page says: "Your Kansas barber license has been expired for more than three years;". The statutory boundary controls.
Passing standard
At least 80% on each examination.
Prior license
A Kansas barber license expired for three or more years.
Reexamination
File an application for reexamination, successfully complete Board reexamination, and pay applicable examination and licensing fees.
Sequence
Pass NIC Barber Styling Theory before the Board practical and Kansas rules examinations.
Restoration after expiration of less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File the renewal application and pay the restoration and applicable lapsed fees; applicable military-spouse fee exemption remains available.
Expiration
The license has been expired for less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination after military certification and additional training

All of the following:

Additional training
Complete at least 500 hours of the adopted industry-related additional curriculum at a Kansas-licensed barber school or college.
Application
File the Board application and pay the required examination and licensing fees; K.A.R. 61-5-1 requires the completed examination application at least 15 days before the examination. Active military spouses receive the fee exemption in K.S.A. 48-3406(u).
Character
Good moral character and temperate habits.
General education
Accredited high-school graduation or equivalent high-school education.
Military certification
Certification in barbering by a branch of the United States military services.
Minimum age
At least 16 years old under K.S.A. 65-1812(a)(1).
Passing standard
At least 80% on each examination.
Sequence
Pass NIC Barber Styling Theory before the Board practical and Kansas rules examinations.
Licensure by examination for a license holder who does not qualify for recognition

All of the following:

Application
File the Board application and pay the required examination and licensing fees; K.A.R. 61-5-1 requires the completed examination application at least 15 days before the examination. Active military spouses receive the fee exemption in K.S.A. 48-3406(u).
Character
Good moral character and temperate habits.
Existing license
Currently licensed elsewhere under requirements that the Board does not regard as the same or comparable; this is the Board examination pathway when statutory reciprocal or K.S.A. 48-3406 recognition does not apply.
General education
Accredited high-school graduation or equivalent high-school education.
Minimum age
At least 16 years old under K.S.A. 65-1812(a)(1).
Passing standard
At least 80% on each examination.
Recognition priority
K.S.A. 48-3406 may allow recognition based on similar scope without the profession-specific reciprocal agreement; eligibility under that statute is evaluated separately.
Sequence
Pass NIC Barber Styling Theory before the Board practical and Kansas rules examinations.

Temporary License to Practice Barbering

Licensing authority: Kansas Board of Barbering · Application information

Temporary licensure while awaiting the next examination

All of the following:

Board discretion
The Board may issue the temporary license.
Exam application
Apply to take the next barber licensing examination; the temporary license can be issued before sitting or passing it.
Expiration
The statute ends the temporary license when examination results are announced; K.A.R. 61-1-24(a) says it is valid until the next examination.
Graduation
Graduated from an approved barber school or college.
Issuance limit
No more than three temporary licenses may be issued to one person.

Kansas Barber Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
Kansas Board of Barbering
Format
Hands-on practical demonstration
Passing score
80%
Examination sources

Kansas Rules and Regulations Examination

Provider
Kansas Board of Barbering
Format
Multiple-choice and true-or-false written examination
Exam questions
25 questions
Time limit
30 minutes
Passing score
80%
Examination outline
  • Kansas Statutes Annotated, Chapter 65: enumerated barbering and sanitation provisions
  • Kansas Statutes Annotated, Chapter 74: Board of Barbering provisions
  • Kansas Statutes Annotated, section 48-3406: occupational licensure recognition
  • K.A.R. Agency 61, Article 1: Sanitary Rules and Regulations Governing Barber Shops, Schools and Colleges
  • K.A.R. Agency 61, Article 3: Schools; Requirements
  • K.A.R. Agency 61, Article 4: Issuance, Renewal, Revocation and Suspension of Certificates of Registration
  • K.A.R. Agency 61, Article 6: Reciprocity
  • K.A.R. Agency 28, Article 25: Sanitary Regulations for Barbers
Examination sources

National Barber Styling Theory Examination

Provider
Developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); computer-based testing administered by test administration companies and states upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Multiple-choice theory examination; each question is followed by four answer options, only one of which is correct
Exam questions
110 items, of which 100 items are weighted and contribute to the final score
Time limit
90 minutes
Examination outline
  • Scientific Concepts (35% of items) (35%)
    • Infection control and safety practices — Identify how disease and infection are caused and transmitted
    • Infection control and safety practices — Apply principles of infection control: Sanitation/Cleansing; Disinfection; Sterilization; Contamination and cross-contamination
    • Infection control and safety practices — Apply blood exposure procedures
    • Infection control and safety practices — Identify requirements of government agencies (e.g., CDC, OSHA, EPA)
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify function and structure of the: Hair and scalp; Skin
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify bones related to: Head and face; Neck, shoulders, and upper back
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify muscles and joints and their functions related to: Head and face; Neck, shoulders, and upper back
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Understand the functions of body systems: Nervous system; Circulatory system; Endocrine system; Integumentary system
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify signs and symptoms of conditions, disorders, and diseases related to skin: Types; Treatments
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify signs and symptoms of conditions, disorders, and diseases related to hair: Types; Treatments
    • Basic chemistry of products used in barbering — Understand the chemical pH scale
    • Basic chemistry of products used in barbering — Understand purpose and effects of products, ingredients, and their interactions
    • Basic chemistry of products used in barbering — Understand interactions among chemicals
    • Basic chemistry of products used in barbering — Understand chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn, inhalation)
  • Implements and Equipment Used in Barbering (10% of items) (10%)
    • Identify function, purpose, and care of tools used in hair services: Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation); Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes); Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drape, neck strips); Electrical tools (e.g. clippers, blow dryers)
    • Understand and apply safety and sanitation practices for use of implements and equipment
  • Hair Care Services (40% of items) (40%)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services — Analyze condition of client’s hair and scalp (i.e., assessment)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services — Determine hair services and/or products
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services — Document and maintain client records for hair services (e.g., consultation card, service history, medical history)
    • Hair care — Apply knowledge of draping (e.g., chemical, shampoo, hair cutting)
    • Hair care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for shampooing and conditioning
    • Hair care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for scalp treatments and scalp massage/manipulation
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety of hair cutting: Shaping; Outlining; Neck shave
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair styling: Wet styling; Blowdry styling; Thermal styling; Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding, locks)
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety of hair enhancements
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of preparation, procedures, and safety for head shaving
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Understand preliminary tests (e.g., purposes, uses, applications): Predisposition; Strand test
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Hair coloring (including facial hair)
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Hair lightening
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Foiling
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Hydroxide; Thio; Keratin
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Chemical waving/texturizing: Alkaline; Acid; Non-thio
  • Facial Hair and Skin Care Services (15% of items) (15%)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services — Evaluate client’s skin (e.g., type, condition)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services — Identify contraindications: Disorders; Diseases
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services — Determine facial hair services and/or products
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services — Document and maintain client records for facial hair services (e.g., consultation card, service history, medical history)
    • Apply knowledge of draping for facial hair and skin care services
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for facial hair and skin care services — Complete shave service with required strokes
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for facial hair and skin care services — Facial hair design
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for facial hair and skin care services — Facial (e.g., cleansing, steaming, mask)
    • Electrotherapy and light therapy — Apply knowledge of purpose and types of electrotherapy and light therapy
Examination sources