A barber provides customers with barbering services: shampooing, cutting, blow-waving, trimming, singeing, hair body processing, waxing, arranging, bleaching or coloring the hair, hair relaxing, drying, applying hair tonics and tapering hair, using clippers, combs, dryers, and scissors. Barbers apply hairdressings or lotions, lather and shave beards, or shape hair contour on temple and neck using razor. They dye, singe, shampoo, or style hair; massage or apply cosmetic preparations to the face, neck, or scalp; fit and sell hair replacements; sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies; and, record charge on ticket.
Department of Public Health
321 E 12th Street
Lucas Building
Des Moines IA, 50319-0075(map)Bureau of Professional LicensurePLPublic@idph.iowa.gov
P: (515) 281-0254
F: (515) 281-3121
License Details
- Code Citation
- IC, Chapter 158; 645 IAC 21-25
- Who Applies
- Persons wishing to practice barbering in Iowa. All applicants must successfully complete license requirements and receive a license before practicing in Iowa.
- When To Apply
- Upon completion of educational requirements and eligibility to apply for the licensure examination. The theory examination may be taken prior to graduation and must be passed before the application may take the barber styling practical examination. A passing score of 70% is required on both examination.
- Initial Requirements
- In Iowa, the applicant must have a tenth grade education or taken the equivalency test, graduate from a board-approved barber school, and pass a national written and practical exam. All other out-of-state applicants must meet Iowa's license requirements.
- Duration
- License must be renewed every two years.
- Processing Time
- 30 days after receipt of required materials. Online license renewal in real time.
- Fee Structure
- Application:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/chapter/645.5.pdf
Practical examination:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/chapter/645.5.pdf
Fee for the theory examination is paid directly to the testing service.
Renewal:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/chapter/645.5.pdf
- Renewal Requirements
- http://www.idph.iowa.gov/Licensure/Iowa-Board-of-Barbering
- Exam
- Applicants are required to pass the national written examination and a practical exam. The theory examination is computerized and may be taken year round. The practical examination is offered four times per year in Waterloo.
- Additional Information
- Persons wishing to practice barbering in Iowa. All applicants must successfully complete license requirements and receive a license before practicing in Iowa.
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