The primary distinction between a barber license and a cosmetology license lies in the scope of services each permits:

• Barber License: Focuses on services such as haircuts, beard grooming, and straight razor shaves, often specializing in men's haircuts. However, barbers are still trained and legally able to cut women’s hair as well.
• Cosmetology License: Covers a broader range of beauty services, including hair cutting and styling, coloring, makeup application, skincare treatments, and nail care. While cosmetologists are trained to work with all genders and ages, they are equipped to provide services that include not only haircuts (including male haircuts) but also a wide variety of beauty treatments such as skin and nail care.