Barber licensing exists so that customers can get haircuts knowing that a trained professional is on the job. However, for barbers wanting to work in a different state, licensing can make the moving process tricky. This is because there are no countrywide barber's license requirements. They differ from state to state, so if you are relocating, there's a good chance you won't be able to just transfer your license without going through a few hoops first.

Know the barber's license requirements for the state you are moving to. These can be found through the "Resources" link on this page. Every state is different, so call the licensing board and figure out what is needed before you actually move.

Bring not only your license with you, but the transcripts from your time spent in barber school. If the school you attended was not certified through NAACAS (National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences), you may not be able to get credit for your hours of training.

Attend any classes needed to fulfill your new state's hourly requirement for time spent in barber school. Hopefully, you will have already reached that requirement. If not, ask the licensing board whether you can have the needed hours waived based on your experience in the field.

Take your new state's barber licensing exam. If you have already been working in the field, this should not be difficult. However, make sure you study anyway, because each state has its own test.