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Learning how to become a barber in Rhode Island means dealing with one quirk up front. State law still says 1,500 hours of barber school, but the Department of Health’s current application and both of the state’s barber schools work from 1,000 hours. After that it’s simple: a written and a practical exam, a $25 application, and a license that can cost less to keep than a single good clipper like the Oster Classic 76. Here’s the full picture, with every rule checked against RIDOH and state law.
Quick answer
- Training: 1,000 hours per RIDOH’s current application (the statute still says 1,500), or a 2-year apprenticeship
- Exams: written “Barber Stylist Theory” through PSI, plus a practical; 70% to pass each
- Requirements: 18 or older and a high school diploma or equivalent
- Fees: $25 to apply, $25 to renew every two years
- Time to license: about 10 months full-time at both RI barber schools
Barber school kit picks
- Heavy-duty clipper: Oster Classic 76, about $165–$195 — detachable-blade classic · Check Oster Classic 76 Price
- Cordless trimmer: Wahl Professional 5 Star Cordless Detailer, about $105–$130 — T-wide blade for outlines · Check Wahl Professional 5 Star Cordless Detailer Price
- Straight razor: Feather Standard Styling Razor kit, about $50–$60 — replaceable-blade styling razor · Check Feather Standard Styling Razor kit Price
- Station disinfectant: Barbicide Disinfectant Concentrate (16 oz), about $12–$20 — EPA-registered concentrate · Check Barbicide Disinfectant Concentrate (16 oz) Price
In this guide
- Who licenses barbers in Rhode Island
- The 1,000 vs 1,500 hour question
- Three ways to train
- Age, education and exams
- Rhode Island barber fees
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to Rhode Island with a barber license
- Recent changes
- What barbers earn in Rhode Island
- Barber schools in Rhode Island
- Barber school kit: what students need
- Our take on getting licensed in Rhode Island
- FAQ
Who licenses barbers in Rhode Island
There’s no standalone barber board in Rhode Island. Barbers are licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) through the Board of Hairdressing and Barbering, at the Licensing Unit, 3 Capitol Hill in Providence (401-222-5960). The license types that matter are Barber, Barber Apprentice, Barber Instructor and Supervising Shop Manager. The rules live in 216-RICR-40-05-4, and the law is Chapter 5-10 of the General Laws.
| Requirement | Rhode Island rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School hours | 1,000 (application) / 1,500 (statute) | RIDOH application |
| Apprenticeship | 2 years, or 1,000 school hours + 840 on the job | 216-RICR-40-05-4 |
| Age / education | 18+, high school or equivalent | R.I. Gen. Laws 5-10-8 |
| Exams | Written (PSI) + practical, 70% | Rule 4.5.2 |
| Renewal | Every 2 years, Sept 30 | Rule 4.6 |
Checked October 2026. Confirm with RIDOH before you enroll.
The 1,000 vs 1,500 hour question
This is the most important thing to understand about Rhode Island. The statute, R.I. Gen. Laws 5-10-9, still says a barber needs “not less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours of continuous study and practice in an approved school.” But RIDOH’s barber application, revised December 19, 2025, labels Barber “(Requires 1000 Hours of Training),” and both of the state’s barber schools run 1,000-hour programs. Rob Roy Academy’s 2026 Rhode Island catalog states “a minimum of 1000 Hours of Barbering Training in an approved school.”
In practice, RIDOH’s application is what you’ll file, and the schools are approved to teach to it. Still, ask RIDOH to confirm the hour requirement in writing before you enroll, especially if you might move later and need your hours to match another state’s rules.
Three ways to train
Rhode Island offers more routes than most small states:
- Barber school. 1,000 hours at an approved school (see above). Barber students may also join a work-study arrangement after their first 1,000 classroom hours, though it doesn’t count as classroom credit.
- Full apprenticeship. Two years as a registered apprentice barber, with affidavits from your employers, under the statute.
- Hybrid. 1,000 school hours plus at least 840 hours of on-the-job training as a registered apprentice, spread over at least six months, under rule 4.4.3(D).
Apprentices train one-on-one with a barber who’s held a license for at least three years, in a licensed hair design shop. The rule spells out the ratio:
“The number of apprentice barbers which a licensed barber may supervise in a licensed hair design shop serving the general public shall be no more than one (1) apprentice barber to one (1) licensed barber.”
216-RICR-40-05-4, section 4.4.3(E)
You register on RIDOH’s barber apprentice application, with ID, proof of high school, a birth certificate or legal entry documents and a copy of your supervising barber’s ID. “You may not practice until your license is issued.” RIDOH doesn’t list an apprentice registration fee, so ask when you apply. We also found no published crossover course for Rhode Island cosmetologists who want a barber license, so check with the board.
Age, education and exams
Rhode Island sets a higher bar on age than many states: you must be at least 18, and since July 1, 1997, barber applicants “must be a high school graduate or hold the equivalent combination of education and experience.” You also need U.S. citizenship or legal entry and good moral character, under section 5-10-8.
There are two exams. The written test is PSI’s “Barber Stylist Theory” exam, given by PSI since November 1, 2015, and it’s offered in Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese as well as English. You schedule it yourself with PSI. RIDOH’s application warns:
“No applicant should schedule the written exam until he/she has completed all of the required hours for licensure.”
RIDOH, Instructions and Application for License as a Barber
The practical is given “in a manner prescribed by the Department,” and you need 70% on both. RIDOH’s pages don’t name the practical exam administrator or list exam fees. Rob Roy Academy’s catalog lists a $75 written exam fee and a $100 practical fee and says both exams are offered at the school. Confirm current amounts with PSI. Failed an exam? You can retake it after paying the re-exam fee.
Rhode Island barber fees
Rhode Island’s barber fees are among the lowest in the country. From RIDOH’s fee rule (216-RICR-10-05-2, amended March 25, 2026):
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application by exam | $25 | Payable to “RI General Treasurer” |
| Application by endorsement | $25 | For out-of-state licensees |
| Re-examination | $25 | Plus the exam service fee |
| Renewal | $25 | Every two years |
| 90-day temporary permit | $25 | One per applicant |
| Reinstatement | +$25 per lapsed cycle | Up to $100 |
Source: 216-RICR-10-05-2, checked October 2026. Exam vendor fees are separate.
Renewal and continuing education
Barber licenses expire on September 30 of every other year, on an odd-even cycle tied to when you were first licensed. RIDOH sends renewal notices 60 days ahead, and you can renew online. Neither the rule nor the statute lists a continuing-education requirement for barbers, but confirm with RIDOH at renewal time.
Moving to Rhode Island with a barber license
If your current state’s requirements are equivalent to Rhode Island’s, you can be licensed by endorsement ($25) once RIDOH verifies your good standing in every state where you’ve held a license and confirms you passed both a written and a practical exam. If your state’s requirements fall short, RIDOH credits 100 instructional hours for each three months you were licensed and actively practicing, up to 500 hours. While your application is pending, you can work on a one-time, non-renewable 90-day temporary license. Barbers trained abroad can get up to 1,000 hours of credit for 30 months of practice. Active-duty service members, reservists, veterans and spouses get expedited processing.
Recent changes
Barber routes haven’t changed much lately. A 2023 law (2023-S 0698, effective June 22, 2023) gave hairdressers an apprenticeship route like barbers already have. RIDOH revised its application forms on December 19, 2025, including the “1000 hours” barber label. The fee rule was amended on May 14, 2025 and again on March 25, 2026, and barber fees stayed at $25.
What barbers earn in Rhode Island
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ OEWS survey (May 2025) puts Rhode Island’s median barber wage at $34,900 a year ($16.78 an hour), with a mean of $41,740. BLS doesn’t publish an employment count for the state, which suggests a small sample. The national median is $38,210. Like all OEWS figures, these cover wage-and-salary barbers only, so self-employed barbers and booth renters aren’t counted.
Barber schools in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is small, and we found only two dedicated barber programs. Both run 1,000-hour courses with day, part-time and evening options. For a broader look at how to judge a program, see our best barber schools guide.
Scott Anthony Barber Academy (Pawtucket)
Scott Anthony’s courses page lists its 1,000-hour program at about $9,000. That’s one of the lowest published barber tuitions we’ve seen, though the page doesn’t say what’s included. Schedules: full-time Monday–Friday 9 to 4 (10 months), part-time Monday–Friday 9 to 2:30 (12 months), and evenings Monday–Thursday 5 to 9:15 (15 months). Students must be 17 and have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent. The academy isn’t listed on College Navigator, so don’t expect federal aid there.
Rob Roy Academy (Woonsocket)
Rob Roy’s barbering program runs 1,000 hours, with new terms on the first Monday of each month: full-time (10 months), part-time (12 months) or evenings Monday–Wednesday (22 months). Its 2026 Rhode Island catalog lists a total of about $20,200: about $17,400 in tuition, $2,500 for equipment and books, a $50 registration fee and sales tax. Rob Roy is listed on College Navigator, so it takes part in federal aid. The catalog’s hour breakdown is useful for any student: 400 hours of tapered and styled haircutting, 160 of theory, 80 of sanitation and bacteriology, 50 of shaving and 10 of honing and stropping.
Weighing the two? Our barber school near me guide has a checklist for tours.
Barber school kit: what students need
Rob Roy budgets about $2,500 for equipment and books, and Scott Anthony doesn’t break out kit costs, so ask both what’s included before you buy anything. With 400 of 1,000 hours spent on tapered and styled cuts, these are the tools Rhode Island students lean on most.
A clipper that can run all day
The Oster Classic 76 is a heavy, detachable-blade clipper with a long barbershop history. It’s built for bulk work on thick hair. For a lighter cordless option for fades, look at the Wahl Professional 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless.
A cordless trimmer
Line-ups and beard edges come up constantly in a 1,000-hour program. The Wahl Professional 5 Star Cordless Detailer has a wide T-blade and no cord to fight. The corded Andis 04780 T-Outliner is the budget alternative.
A razor for shaving and stropping practice
Fifty hours of shaving and ten of honing and stropping are on the Rob Roy syllabus. A Feather Standard Styling Razor kit covers razor cutting and detail work with replaceable blades, so you’re never working with a dull edge.
Sanitation
Rob Roy schedules 80 hours for decontamination and sanitation, and shop inspectors look for it. Keep a Barbicide Disinfecting Jar (37 oz) at your station, filled from a pint of Barbicide Disinfectant Concentrate (16 oz).
Need the full list? See our essential barber tools guide.
Our take on getting licensed in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is cheap to license in ($25 fees) and quick to train in once you accept RIDOH’s 1,000-hour application standard. Confirm that with the board first, since the statute hasn’t caught up. Your biggest decision is the school: about $9,000 at Scott Anthony without federal aid, or about $20,200 at Rob Roy with federal aid and its equipment package. Either way, invest in one reliable clipper. The Oster Classic 76 is a good fit if you’ll cut a lot of thick hair.
FAQ
How many hours do you need to be a barber in Rhode Island? RIDOH’s current application says 1,000 hours, and both state barber schools teach 1,000-hour programs. The statute still reads 1,500, so confirm with RIDOH.
Can you become a barber in Rhode Island through an apprenticeship? Yes. You can complete a two-year registered apprenticeship, or 1,000 school hours plus 840 hours of on-the-job apprenticeship over at least six months. Your supervisor must have been licensed for three or more years, one apprentice per barber.
How old do you have to be to get a barber license in Rhode Island? 18, and you need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Schools may enroll you at 17.
How much does a Rhode Island barber license cost? $25 to apply and $25 to renew every two years, plus exam fees paid to the testing service.
Can I work in Rhode Island with an out-of-state barber license? Yes, with a one-time 90-day temporary license while you apply by endorsement. If your state’s training doesn’t match Rhode Island’s, you can earn hour credit for time spent practicing.
Licensing rules, fees and hours can change. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with your state barber board before you enroll or apply.
