How to Become a Barber in Oregon
- 786 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for barbers in Oregon is $31,360.
- There is a predicted 8% job increase for barbers between 2021-2031 nationally.
If you're a social person who likes working with your hands, barbering may be right for you. Barbers in Oregon perform cosmetic services like straight-razor shaving and beard trimming, styling, shampooing, cutting hair, and giving facials.
To become a barber in Oregon, you need to meet specific licensure requirements:
- Complete an Oregon barber training program: These programs must consist of 746 hours of barber training, 465 practical operations, 20 hours on Oregon's law and rules, and 20 hours on career development.
- Comply with a background check.
- Pass the barber licensing tests.
- Submit an application for barber licensure.
- Pay the $30 application fee.
- Pay all relevant testing and licensure fees.
- Maintain your license: You must renew your Oregon barber license every two years.
Prospective barbers in Oregon must complete 786 hours of barber training at a state-approved barber school. Coursework must include 20 hours on career development, 20 hours on Oregon's law and rules, and 465 practical operations.
After finishing your Oregon barber program, you need to pass both a licensing exam and a state law exam, then pay the certification fee to obtain your Oregon barber license.
What to Expect From a Barber Program in Oregon
786 Education Hours
Required to earn a barber license
State-approved barber programs in Oregon comprise 786 hours of training covering safety and sanitation requirements, hands-on classwork, the state's laws and rules related to the industry, and career development.
Given the hands-on nature of the barbering profession, you'll need to perform 465 practical operations during your training. Your education must cover 20 hours on Oregon's laws and rules and 20 hours on career development.
Common topics a barber program in Oregon may cover include:
- Hair and scalp treatments
- Hairpieces
- Safety and sanitation
- Tools and equipment
Oregon Barber Licensing Requirements
Completing a barber program is important to your training, but you can't earn your barber license until you've passed the Oregon barber licensure exam.
You must pass Oregon's law and rules exam, the barber written exam, and the barber practical exam with a minimum score of 75%. Both the law and written exam cost $45 each. Oregon's barber practical exam is administered by a licensed state-approved cosmetology or barber school.
You don't need an appointment for the state's law and rules exam and the written exam, as the tests are conducted on a walk-in basis at Oregon's Health Licensing Office. You're allotted 90 minutes for each exam. In addition to English, the exams are also offered in Spanish and Vietnamese.
The law test is 90 questions covering Oregon's revised statutes and administrative rules, including:
- Definitions: 21 questions
- Facility standards: 35 questions
- Practice standards: 6 questions
- Facility operations: 5 questions
- Examinations: 5 questions
- Licensing and certification: 9 questions
- Chemicals: 8 questions
The written exam contains 100 questions covering material from the Milady and Pivot Point textbooks, including:
- Anatomy and Physiology: 25%
- Microbiology: 4%
- Barbering Services: 42%
- Implements, Tools, and Equipment: 12%
- Product Knowledge and Chemistry: 11%
- Safety and Infection Control: 6%
Once you've passed the exams, you can pay the $35 certification fee and receive your license the same day. If you fail the exam three times, you must complete additional training, reapply, and pay the application fee. If you fail the exam five times, the board will determine if you can sit for the exam again.
Can I Apprentice as a Barber in Oregon?
No, you can't apprentice as a barber in Oregon. Instead, you must complete training through a state-approved barber program.
Oregon Barber License Reciprocity
If you're a licensed barber from another state, you can earn your Oregon barber license through reciprocity.
To qualify, you'll need to:
- Provide proof of licensure
- Submit an application and pay the $100 fee
- Pass Oregon's law and rules exam and pay the $45 testing fee
- Pass the barber written exam and pay the $45 testing fee
- Pay the $65 reciprocity fee
Barber License Renewal in Oregon
2 Years
License renewal period
0 Hours
Continuing education required
Your Oregon barber license must be renewed every two years. To renew, you must submit a renewal application and pay the $65 fee before the expiration date, the last day of the month two years from your license's issue date.
Oregon doesn't require continuing education to renew your barber license.
Barber Salary and Projected Job Growth in Oregon
$31,360
Barbers in Oregon make $31,360 on average each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Barber salaries in the state range from $31,140-$33,230. Data on job growth for barber careers isn't available for Oregon, but in the U.S., barber jobs are expected to grow by 8%.
The highest-paying metro areas for Barbers in Oregon are Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, with a median annual salary of $33,830.
Contact the Oregon State Board of Cosmetology
Resources for Barbers in Oregon
Oregon Barber Association
A division of the American Barber Association helping with training and licensing.
FAQs About Barbering
A beauty school directory resource answering critical questions about barber licensure.
