Transferring Your Barber License From Another State
License holders from other states and territories may be eligible for a Texas license if their state has education and examination requirements substantially equivalent to Texas license requirements. Your work experience in certain states may also be credited toward the substantially equivalent requirement.
If you are a Texas licensee moving to another state, please check with that state's licensing agency concerning your Texas license. The information on this page does not reflect whether other states recognize Texas licenses.
How To Get a Texas Barber License Earned through an Apprenticeship Program from Another State/Territory
TDLR now accepts training or work experience obtained through an apprenticeship program. If your license from another state is active and you have met the required work experience, you may be eligible for a Texas Barber license. Please review the information below and follow instructions on the Reciprocity Barber License Application to apply.
- Search for your state or territory from the list below to determine the years of work experience required to get your Texas license.
- Provide a certificate of completion for your apprenticeship program in addition to the letter of certification in a sealed envelope from the issuing state. Your years of work experience will be verified by the letter of certification from the state in which you are currently licensed.
- Download Form BAR005 - Reciprocity Barber License Application (see the Barber Forms page) to apply for your Texas license.
| Years of Experience Required for Texas License | Type of Texas License | State/Territory |
|---|---|---|
| One year | Texas Class A Barber | California, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, New Hampshire (Master), Oklahoma, Virginia |
| Two Years | Texas Class A Barber | Alabama, Alaska, District of Columbia, Idaho (Master), Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Vermont, Wisconsin |
| Three Years | Texas Class A Barber | Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Washington |
States and Territories with Substantially Equivalent Requirements as Texas
Texas Class A Barber License: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Idaho Master Barber, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire Master Barber, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah Barber/Cosmetologist, Virginia
Texas Barber Instructor License: Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire Master, Oregon (1000 hour program), Pennsylvania, Wyoming.
If you found your state listed for your current occupation above (States and Territories with Substantially Equivalent Requirements as Texas), download the reciprocity barber license application or the reciprocity barber instructor license application to apply.
States and Territories Which Require One Year of Experience to Be Eligible for a Texas License
Texas Class A Barber License: Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Utah/Barber, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Texas Barber Instructor License: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire Barber, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Washington.
Note: Barber Instructor applicants must provide the number of years teaching/instructing (not barber occupation experience).
If you found your state listed for your current occupation above (States and Territories Which Require One Year of Experience to Be Eligible for a Texas License), download the reciprocity barber license application or the reciprocity barber instructor license application to apply. Your one year of experience will be proven by the letter of certification required from the state in which you are currently licensed (see #10 in the application instructions).
States and Territories Which Require Two Years of Experience to Be Eligible for a Texas License
Texas Class A Barber License: Connecticut, Florida, Idaho Barber, Massachusetts, New Hampshire Barber, Oregon, Utah Barber, Vermont, Wyoming
Texas Barber Instructor License: Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Virginia
Note: Barber Instructor applicants must provide the number of years teaching/instructing (not barber occupation experience).
If you found your state listed for your current occupation above (States and Territories Which Require Two Years of Experience to Be Eligible for a Texas License), download the reciprocity barber license application or the reciprocity barber instructor license application to apply. Your two years of experience will be proven by the letter of certification required from the state in which you are currently licensed (see #10 in the application instructions).