Amends GS 86A-11, adding new subsection (e) to direct the State Board of Barber Examiners (Board) to grant a temporary permit upon payment of the specified fee in GS 86A-25 to graduates of a barber school that pass the initial written examination and pass the initial practical examination with a score of 85% or higher. Allows the permitee to apply for examination and certification to become a registered barber pursuant to GS Chapter 86A one year after receiving a temporary permit. Provides that a temporary permit remains valid until the first Board examination of applicants for certification as a registered barber is held that is more than one year after issuance of the temporary permit. Amends 86A-25 to set the temporary permit fee at $50.

Amends GS 86A-24, adding new subsection (d) exempting from the apprenticeship requirement applicants who pass the initial written examination and pass the practical examination with a score of 85% or higher, and allow those applicants to apply for a temporary permit pursuant to GS 86A-11(e) as enacted. Provides that applicants who pass the initial written examination and pass the initial practical examination with a score of less than 85% are permitted to retake the initial practical examination no more than two additional times upon the payment of the fee authorized in GS 86A-25. Provides that individuals holding a current and valid apprentice license that have passed the initial written examination and have passed the initial practical examination with a score of 85% or higher are entitled to obtain a temporary permit pursuant to this new subsection upon payment of the fee authorized under GS 86A-25. Makes existing language gender neutral.

Effective October 1, 2017.