Frequently Asked Questions

Find COVID-19 related information and resources for barbershops, barbers, and barber schools at our COVID-19 Information Page (CLICK HERE).

If you don't find what you're looking for and you have questions, please give the Board Office a call at 651-201-2820.

In Minnesota, there is no credit given between cosmetology and barber training.  Therefore a cosmetologist must complete 1500 hours of barber school to become a barber, and a barber must complete 1550 hours of cosmetology school to become a cosmetologist.

Barber students can obtain their hours from the school they're attending per their enrollment agreement with the school. Each barber school in Minnesota is required to submit monthly reports of student hours to the Board for the purposes of verification to other schools and/or states if a student transfers schools or moves out of state.

No. Barber students have enrollment agreements with barber schools, and any issues that may arise under those agreements need to be worked out between the students and the schools. The Board has no jurisdiction over those agreements.

• Read the website's Complaints section to learn about the Board's jurisdiction, the complaint process, and what actions the Board can take by law.
• Complaints must be in writing. A complaint form is available to print out under the website's Complaints section. The form needs to be filled out completely. Incomplete complaint forms will not be considered.
• The Board reviews complaints concerned with public safety and public health. For example, a complaint from someone who has been injured directly or has been a direct witness to injury by a barber or barber shop. Another complaint example concerns possible unlicensed barbers or barbershops, or possible unsanitary conditions in a shop. These examples are not the only possible complaints.
• Mail the completed complaint form to the Board's office, or drop it off in person. Be sure to include your current contact information on the form so the Board can contact you for further information, if needed.
• Each step in the complaint process takes time, and therefore, it may take several months for a final resolution.

If you have received a penalty letter from the Board, it is important that you:

• Read the entire letter carefully. If you don't understand any part of it, call the Board with your questions.
• Follow the instructions in the letter.
• Respond in writing within the specified time period. If the letter requests that you sign an enclosed stipulation and order, read that document carefully. If you want to sign it, be sure to do it with a notary public in order to have it notarized. If you do not want to sign it, you need to submit a letter to the Board explaining the reason(s) you are refusing to sign the document.

• Opening a barber shop is establishing a business in Minnesota. Before establishing any business, it's advisable to seek both legal counsel and advice from an accountant.
• For the shop location, the Board requires verification that the local building and zoning authority has reviewed and approved the location to insure that it meets all zoning requirements.
• All businesses in Minnesota are required to register with the Secretary of State. In order to register, you need to choose a business structure: sole proprietorship, general partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, corporation, or Limited Liability Company. You will also need to register the business's name with the Secretary of State's office. Please contact the Minnesota Secretary of State for more information about registering a business in Minnesota.

• Barber shops must be licensed by the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners which requires the owner to apply for a new shop license, and that includes verification that the shop meets all local building and zoning codes.
• Barber shop applications must be submitted to the Board at least 30 days prior to the scheduled shop opening.
• You will need to carry various kinds of insurance such as property, liability, and employee insurance for Workers compensation and unemployment.
• Whether or not you will hire employees or work with independent contractor barbers in the shop is another consideration.
• An accountant or tax specialist can also help with the taxes on your business.

As a barber shop owner, you are responsible for the following:

• Ensure the barber shop is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners, and license renewals are done each year by June 30.
• Name a designated barber as shop manager.
• Ensure every barber working in the shop holds a current barber license from the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners.
• Ensure that sanitation and disinfection procedures are followed by everyone working in the shop.
• Ensure the Sanitation Rules as well as the licenses are posted where customers can see them.
• If you have employees, you are responsible to pay them, to carry Workers compensation insurance and unemployment insurance.
• Abide by the laws governing businesses in Minnesota and your city.
• If you change your shop location or change ownership, you need to notify the Board by submitting a completed change of location or ownership application.
• If you change the name of your shop, ensure that the Secretary of State and the Board are informed.

The Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners inspects every barbershop in the state. To help prepare for your shop inspection and to maintain compliance with Minnesota laws and rules, read and print out or download the Self-Inspection guidelines here.

The Board does not regulate rental agreements between barbers and barber shop owners.

The Board generally has the authority to act on matters alleging violation of Minnesota Statute Chapter 154 and Administrative Rules Chapter 2100. 

The Minnesota Department of Labor defines when a barber is an independent contractor vs. an employee in  Minnesota Administrative Rules 5224.0038.

The Board does not keep a list of barbers who may be looking for a job in a shop. We usually refer people who call asking this question to the barber schools.

The Board does not keep a list of barber shops that are looking for barbers.