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Minnesota Barber — Requirements & Free Practice

US-MN · 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.

Emergency Teacher Permit

Emergency instructor authorization for no more than 30 days.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Emergency teacher permit issuance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Availability
The Board must verify that no registered instructor or temporary teacher is available.
Barber Status
Applicant must hold a current registered barber registration.
Duration
Maximum duration is 30 days.
Emergency
An unforeseen occurrence demands immediate action to prevent interruption of barber-school training.
Notification
The school must immediately report the emergency and proposed emergency teacher.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Military Certificate for Registered Barbers

One-year temporary military registration under 154.11(3) and 197.4552.

Licensing authority: Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Temporary military registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background
Current criminal background study without a conviction the Board determines adversely affects licensure.
Duration
Valid for one year; complete the full ordinary application procedure during the temporary-license period.
Existing License
Current valid license, certificate, or permit in another jurisdiction without disciplinary history.
Military Status
Active-duty military member, spouse of an active-duty member, or veteran discharged honorably or generally within the preceding two years.
Payment
Pay the applicable temporary military registration fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

certificate for registered barber instructors

One-year temporary military instructor registration under 154.11(3) and 197.4552.

Licensing authority: Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Temporary military registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background
Current criminal background study without a conviction the Board determines adversely affects licensure.
Duration
Valid for one year; complete the full ordinary application procedure during the temporary-license period.
Existing License
Current valid license, certificate, or permit in another jurisdiction without disciplinary history.
Military Status
Active-duty military member, spouse of an active-duty member, or veteran discharged honorably or generally within the preceding two years.
Payment
Pay the applicable temporary military registration fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Registered Barber

Individual registration to practice barbering in Minnesota.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Annual renewal of active registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Renew on or before December 31 for the following year and pay the required fee.
Status
Continue in active practice or service.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial barber registration by examination with cosmetology study credit
Age
Meet amended 154.05(1): at least 17 years old.
Examination
Pass the comprehensive examination after completing the credited and remaining education.
Remaining Education
Complete the remaining required hours in a Board-approved barber school.
Study Credit
The Board may credit up to 1,000 hours toward the 1,500-hour barber curriculum under the alternatives and substantial-similarity determinations in 154.11(4)(a).
Initial registration by examination
Documentation
The school must file an affidavit of completed hours; submit the complete application and required documents before the 20th day of the preceding month and provide government-issued photo identification.
Education
Complete 1,500 hours in a Board-approved barber school: 281 classroom hours and 1,219 practical hours.
Minimum Age
At least 17 years old under amended 154.05(1).
Partial Pass Credit
Under 154.09(7), a failed portion may be retaken within one year of passing the other portion; if the other portion is not passed within that year, both must be retaken.
Restoration after four or more years without renewal
Home Study
Purchase and complete the Board-approved Home Study Course for Barbers before applying to take the comprehensive examination.
Lapse
Barber registration has not been renewed for four or more years.
Initial registration by examination after remedying nonresident qualification deficiencies
Education Deficiency
Make up educational deficiencies in a Minnesota Board-approved barber school; verified licensed barber experience may be credited as equivalent school training under 2100.2700(2).
Eligibility
Meet amended 154.05 and the Board verification requirements; pass the Minnesota written and practical examinations.
Foreign Credentials
Foreign credentials must be verified by a Board-approved evaluator.
Home Study
Complete the Home Study Course for Barbers before examination.
Initial registration by examination after equivalent nonresident education
Education
At least 1,500 verified hours completed within the previous four years and deemed substantially equivalent by the Board; foreign education must be professionally evaluated.
Home Study
Purchase and complete the Board-approved Home Study Course for Barbers before examination.
License Status
No current documented barber license or equivalent.
Minimum Age
Meet the applicable amended 154.05 age requirement.
Passing
Pass both portions; the statutory one-year partial-pass credit applies.
Initial registration by substantially equivalent active credentials
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Active Credential
Hold an active, verified barber license, registration, or equivalent from another jurisdiction.
Board Instruction
The Board reciprocity page states: If the applicant's education and experience is determined to be substantially the same as the Minnesota requirements and the applicant has a current registration/license from another state or country that is in good standing, a registration/license may be issued. If these qualifications are not met, the applicant may be required to obtain additional training and/or take a Minnesota barber examination to become registered/licensed. The statutory without-examination issuance applies to applicants meeting 154.11(1)(a); additional training or an examination concerns applicants who do not meet those qualifications.
Documentation
Provide verification sent directly by the issuing authority, the most recent license, transcript including shaving and 1,500 hours, identification, and the required fee.
Equivalence
The Board must find the jurisdiction and applicant qualifications substantially equivalent to Minnesota requirements; foreign credentials require a Board-approved professional credential evaluation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration within the statutory no examination lapse period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse
154.15(2) allows reinstatement within four years without examination; amended 154.09(3) requires comprehensive examination for four or more years, so examination applies at the four-year boundary.
Payment
Pay the required restoration fee for each lapsed year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Barber School Registration

Board-issued registration for a barber school establishment.

Licensing authority: Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

School registration transfer, relocation, or expansion
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
Obtain prior Board approval for transfer, change of location, or expansion.
Hearing
If the Board denies the application, it must notify the applicant of the right to a hearing.
Standards
Meet the applicable 154.07 and 2100.5100 standards; 2100.5500 also cites repealed 2100.5200, superseded by statutory application-review requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial private barber school registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the verified application, financial statement, plans, curriculum, student course syllabus, and brochure required by 2100.5100.
Board Review
The Board considers the application at an open meeting; demonstrate the truth of the application and sufficient financial resources for operation and student graduation.
Bond
File the statutory $25,000 performance bond before commencing business.
Facility
Meet statutory and rule curriculum, facility, staffing, sanitation, and signage requirements.
Operator
Designate an operator with at least six years of continuous registered-barber experience in Minnesota or a Board-recognized equivalent jurisdiction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial public technical college or state institution barber school registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Review
Demonstrate statutory qualifications and adequate financial resources at the open application-review meeting.
Institution
Applicant is a public technical college or state institution.
Instructor
Employ a qualified instructor holding a current barber instructor certificate.
Registration
Secure annual Board school registration and comply with chapter 154 and school rules; the performance-bond filing requirement is waived.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual barber school registration renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Compliance
The Board makes an annual determination that the school meets chapter 154 and curriculum requirements under 2100.5100(2).
Deadline
Apply annually by December 31 and pay the required fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Barber Shop Registration

Board-issued registration for a barber shop establishment; distinct from the individual barber registration.

Licensing authority: board of barber examiners · Application information

Shop registration following change of ownership or location
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Floor Plan
Meet the applicable shop floor-plan and sanitation requirements.
Notification
File the change of ownership or location within 30 days.
Registration
Obtain the Board-issued registration for the new ownership or establishment address; registrations are not transferable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial barber shop registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Floor Plan
Submit the proposed floor plan for Board approval at least 30 days before opening.
Location
Registration is issued to the establishment address and must remain current; comply with applicable sanitation and inspection requirements.
Management
The shop must be under the direct supervision and management of a registered barber.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual barber shop registration renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Renew by June 30 each year and pay the required fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration of lapsed barber shop registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Inspection
Penalties under 154.162 apply when lapsed or unregistered status is discovered during inspection.
Lapse
Shop registration has not been renewed for more than one year.
Payment
Pay the restoration fee for each year lapsed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

student permits

Barber schools must apply to the board for student permits immediately upon receiving students.

Licensing authority: Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Student permit issuance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Complete the student application and pay the required fee.
Duration
Permit is valid for 15 months and may be renewed once; when expired more than 30 days, a new permit application is required.
Enrollment
The registered barber school applies for a student permit upon receiving a student; identify the school and start date.
Practice
Practice barbering only in the barber school.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

One time student permit renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Payment
Pay the required renewal application fee.
Practice
Practice remains restricted to the barber school.
Renewal Limit
The 15-month student permit may be renewed one time.
Timing
The completed renewal application must be received within 30 days of the current permit expiration; after more than 30 days of expiration a new permit application is required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Teacher Permit

Temporary instructor authorization while pursuing required instructor education.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Temporary teacher permit issuance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Signed and sworn Board application, verified by the barber school, with proof of qualifications and payment of the fee.
Barber Status
Current Minnesota registered barber with at least two years of practice.
Duration
Valid for four years while continued educational courses are pursued; renew annually by December 31.
Education
Provide proof of a temporary vocational teaching permit and continuous enrollment in required instructor courses; the rule references repealed 2100.4500, while instructor education is stated in 154.065(2).
School Restriction
Not issued for a new school or expansion; no more than one temporary teacher per registered instructor or per 17 students.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual temporary teacher permit renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
The temporary permit remains limited to four years from original issuance.
Education
Continue pursuing the required educational courses.
Notice
Notify the Board of changes in workplace, address, or telephone number.
Renewal
Renew on or before December 31.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Comprehensive Registered Barber Examination — Practical Portion

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners
Format
Practical service demonstrations
Passing score
75 on the haircut and 75 for the average of the remaining practical services
Examination sources

Registered Barber Examination — Written Portion

Provider
Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners
Format
Written examination
Passing score
75 percent
Examination outline
  • Scientific fundamentals for barbering
  • Hygiene
  • Practical study of the hair, skin, muscles, and nerves
  • Structure of the head, face, and neck
  • Elementary chemistry relating to sanitation
  • Disinfection
  • Sterilization and antiseptics
  • Diseases of the skin, hair, and glands
  • Massaging and manipulating the muscles of the face and neck
  • Haircutting
  • Shaving
  • Trimming the beard
  • Bleaching, tinting and dyeing the hair
  • Chemical waving and straightening of hair
  • Applicable Minnesota state statutes and rules
Examination sources