FL Barber
Florida Barber License Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
A Florida barber license authorizes a person to practice barbering in the state - shaving, cutting, trimming, coloring, shampooing, arranging, dressing, curling or waving the hair or beard, and applying oils, creams, lotions or other preparations to the face, scalp or neck, for remuneration and for the public, but not for the treatment of disease or physical or mental ailments. The Barbers' Board, within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, licenses three credentials: Barber (BB), Restricted Barber (BR) - whose practice is limited to hair cutting, shaving, shampooing, blow drying, and applying hair tonics and hair sprays - and Barbershop (BS).
The entry route most candidates use is the Barber License by Examination (BAR 1), which also exists in a Restricted Barber version. Candidates already licensed elsewhere may qualify by examination based on an out-of-state or out-of-country license, by state endorsement, or by out-of-country endorsement; military personnel, veterans and military spouses have dedicated applications. The exam is computer-based, scheduled through the department's vendor, Pearson VUE, with appointments available daily at testing sites worldwide.
Expect questions spanning the scientific practice of barbering, Florida barbering statutes and rules, sanitation and infection control, and shop operations. Strong preparation means reading the published statutes and rules, drilling bloodborne-pathogen and HIV/AIDS safety content, and rehearsing disinfection routines until they are automatic. This is independent study material, not affiliated with the Board or DBPR.
What you'll study
About FL Barber preparation
How is the Florida barber exam delivered?
It is a computer-based test. Once the department approves you to sit, you contact its examination vendor, Pearson VUE, to schedule. Appointments are offered daily at testing sites around the world, so you pick the date and location rather than waiting for a fixed state test day.
How many questions are on the exam, how long is it, and what score do I need?
Those specifics are not published on the Barbers' Board's main licensing page, so treat any number you hear secondhand with suspicion. Check the department's Examination Information page and the current candidate handbook from the testing vendor for the item count, time limit, and passing score before you book.
If I pass the exam, am I a licensed barber?
No. Passing the examination is one step in the licensure process. You must apply for the appropriate license - for example Barber License by Examination (BAR 1) or Restricted Barber License by Examination (BAR 1) - and be approved by the department. Keep your application and your exam scheduling in the correct order.
What is the difference between a barber and a restricted barber?
A barber may perform the full scope of barbering. A restricted barber's practice is limited to the terms, conditions and restrictions on the license, such as hair cutting, shaving, shampooing, blow drying hair, and applying hair tonics and hair sprays. Apply under the license type that matches the training you actually completed.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Yes - the Board maintains a Barber Re-Examination form (BAR 3) and a Restricted Barber Re-Examination form (BAR 3). The page does not state a waiting period or a cap on attempts, so confirm the current re-examination requirements and any fee with the department before rescheduling.
Do I need continuing education before I take the exam?
No. Continuing education is a renewal obligation, not an exam prerequisite. Barbers and restricted barbers must complete 2 hours of CE, including a minimum of 2 hours of board-approved HIV/AIDS coursework, before renewing. Build the HIV/AIDS material into exam prep anyway - bloodborne-pathogen safety is core sanitation content.
When does a Florida barber license expire and what does renewal cost?
Barber and restricted barber licenses expire July 31 every even year, so the next deadline is before midnight EST on July 31, 2026. The renewal fee is $75. Barbershops expire November 30 every even year with a $110 fee. DBPR emails a renewal notice 90–120 days before expiration, so keep your email current.
Will an old criminal conviction keep me from being licensed?
Under HB 7125, the department may not consider certain convictions that occurred more than five years before the application date, though convictions for crimes listed in sections 775.21(4)(a)1 and 776.08, Florida Statutes, may still be considered. The department posts lists of disqualifying and non-disqualifying offenses; review them before applying.
What should I study first?
Start with Florida barbering statutes and rules, because that material is unfamiliar to almost everyone and is scored heavily. Then layer in sanitation and infection control, drilling disinfection and bloodborne-pathogen procedures until they are reflex. Finish with the scientific practice of barbering and shop operations, where hands-on experience already carries you.
How hard is the exam?
The Board does not publish a pass rate, so nobody quoting one is giving you official data. Difficulty is usually a function of preparation: candidates who skip the statute and rule chapters, or who treat sanitation as common sense rather than a procedure to memorize, are the ones who struggle.