Which Barber License Do You Need – and How Long Does It Take?
Florida offers three main licensing paths. According to the Florida DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) and Florida Statutes §476, each path requires a different number of training hours depending on the services you want to provide.
Restricted Barber License:
Requirement
600 training hours.
What you can do?
Haircuts, shaving, styling, and beard care.
What’s restricted?
Chemical services like coloring, bleaching, and perms.
Who it’s for?
Those who want to launch their career as quickly as possible and focus strictly on classic barbering.
Barber License:
Requirement
900 training hours.
What you can do?
Everything included in the restricted license, plus chemical procedures like coloring, straightening, and bleaching. By completing this barbering program, you can expand your service menu and earning potential.
Requirement
1,200 training hours.
What you can do?
The complete range of men's and women's services – cuts, color, skincare, nails, and more. This program at Prestige Health and Beauty Sciences Academy gives you the credentials to work across a wide range of services – or lay the groundwork for your own full-service barbershop or salon down the road.
How Many Weeks Will You Study?
Your time in barber school depends directly on your program hours. Here’s what that actually means for your schedule:
- 900 Hours (Barber). Day and evening programs take about 30 weeks to complete, assuming perfect attendance. You can complete your training in roughly 8 months – then you're eligible to take the Florida barber state board exam and start your career.
- 1,200 Hours (Cosmetologist-Barber). Day and evening programs run for 10 months. It takes slightly longer, but you enter the market with the widest range of opportunities.
What Can Affect Your Barbering Graduation Timeline?
Even with a set number of required hours, your actual graduation date can shift based on a few key factors:
Attendance
Florida requires you to complete 100% of your training hours. If you miss your barber school classes, you have to make them up. Better attendance means you finish faster, while frequent absences will extend your schooling by months.
Transfer Credits
If you have previously taken courses in related fields (such as cosmetology or a related licensed field), some of those hours might transfer. If you enroll in one of our barber programs, our admissions team will explain how your previous training can be credited. This can shave weeks or even months off your training time.
Vacations and Holidays
Every school has its own calendar. Scheduled breaks or holiday closures will push back your final completion date.
Financial Holds
If you temporarily stop paying tuition, a payment hold will pause your enrollment until the balance is cleared. A hold like this can add weeks to your overall timeline.
How to Graduate Faster and Spend Less?
Florida barber schools calculate tuition by training hours, not by calendar months. Finishing faster doesn’t cost more; it actually saves you money on living expenses and helps you get a faster payoff on your education.
Also, if you plan to apply for federal financial aid, like the Pell Grant (available at COE-accredited institutions like ours), keep in mind that these grants are only available for programs of 900 hours or more. Choosing a 900- or 1,200-hour program is often the smartest financial move. Pair that with strong attendance, and you’ll minimize your total out-of-pocket costs.
Passing the State Exam (DBPR) & Starting Your Career
Earning your school hours is only step one. After completing your hours, you’ll need to pass the Florida State Board exam administered by Pearson VUE to receive your license.
At our barber school in Miami, we ensure you are fully prepared. Most of our students feel ready to schedule their state board exam shortly after graduation. Our career services team assists graduates with job placement from day one.
FAQ
1. Can I start working while I am still studying?
No. You cannot legally charge for services until you are licensed. However, you will practice in the school’s studio under instructor supervision.