Becoming a licensed barber in Arkansas is a clear, four-part path: enroll in a licensed barber school, complete the training hours the state requires, pass the state exam, and get your license from the Board. Capitol Barber College is a barber school in Benton, Arkansas, a few minutes from Little Rock, and we walk students through every one of those steps. This guide lays out the Arkansas barber license requirements, what the training actually looks like, what it costs, and how long it takes.
What the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners requires
Barber licensing in Arkansas is regulated by the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners. The Board currently requires 1,500 hours of training at a licensed barber school, followed by a licensing exam with a written portion and a practical portion. It also sets the minimum age and education requirements and the application and license fees.
Rules and fees can change. Before you enroll anywhere, confirm the current requirements directly with the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners.
Step 1: Enroll in a barber school in Arkansas
Your hours only count if they are earned at a school the Board recognizes, so start there. At Capitol Barber College, enrollment begins with a short interest form on our apply page. It takes about two minutes. We reply with an application packet that covers the program, the schedule, tuition, and what you need to bring. If you would rather talk first, come tour the shop at 1220 Military Road or reach us through the contact page.
What to look for in any barber college near Little Rock or Benton, AR: instructors who work beside you on the floor, a curriculum that covers everything on the state exam, and a facility set up like the shop you will work in after graduation. Those three things are the whole reason we exist.
Step 2: Train on a real floor with real clients
The 1,500 barber license hours in Arkansas are not 1,500 hours of watching. Our curriculum covers cutting, shaving, styling, sanitation, and the business of barbering, and you learn by doing it. Our student floor is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with Saturday hours added as of August 8, 2026. Every service, whether it is a $10 haircut, a $10 shave, or a $4 beard trim, is performed by a student with an instructor by their side. That means chair time starts early in your training and keeps building until you have handled every kind of head, hairline, and client that will walk into a shop.
Step 3: Pass the state written and practical exam
Once your hours are complete and your school has certified them, you apply to the Board to sit for the exam. The written portion covers theory: sanitation, safety, hair and skin science, state law. The practical portion has you demonstrate services on a live model or mannequin in front of an examiner. Pass both, pay the license fee, and you are a licensed Arkansas barber.
Our instructors prep you for both halves from the first week. By the time you test, the practical exam should feel like another day on the floor, and the written exam should feel like a review.
What barber school costs, and financial aid options
Tuition at Capitol Barber College is listed in the application packet we send after you complete the interest form. When you budget, plan for four things: tuition, your tool kit, the Board's exam and license fees, and living expenses while you train. Some of those are fixed by the state, so ask us for the current numbers rather than trusting a figure you saw online.
If you are interested in financial aid for barber school, say so on the interest form. One option many of our students ask about is the Arkansas Rural Endowment Fund (AREF), which offers private student loans to Arkansas residents attending approved schools. AREF loans must be repaid, they require a co-maker, and the funds are sent directly to the school. We are glad to walk you through it and any other options during enrollment.
How long it takes to become a barber in Arkansas
The math is simple. At 35 to 40 hours a week, 1,500 hours works out to roughly ten to eleven months of training. A part-time schedule stretches that out. Add the time to schedule and take the state exam after you finish, and most students should plan on about a year from their first day to their license. Ask about the current class schedule when you tour so you can map it against your own life.
If you already know this is the career you want, the fastest path is to start now. Capitol Barber College is now enrolling, and the sooner your hours start, the sooner you are behind your own chair.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does it take to get a barber license in Arkansas?
The Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners currently requires 1,500 hours of training at a licensed barber school before you can sit for the state exam. Confirm the current figure with the Board before you enroll.
Do I need a high school diploma to go to barber school in Arkansas?
The Board sets the minimum age and education requirements for licensure, and they can change. Ask us when you request an application packet and confirm the current rules with the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners.
Is Capitol Barber College close to Little Rock?
Yes. We are at 1220 Military Road in Benton, Arkansas, in Saline County, a short drive down I-30 from Little Rock, Bryant, and the rest of Central Arkansas.
Can I visit the school before I apply?
Absolutely. Our student floor is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so you can come in for a haircut, see the training floor, and ask questions. You can also call or text (501) 575-6220 to set up a tour.
Ready to turn a passion for grooming into a career for life? Fill out the interest form and we will send you everything you need to get started. This website and its online application form were built by Sundae Software Solutions in Benton, Arkansas; you can see how the Capitol Barber College site was built on their site.