The Michigan Board of Barber Examiners was created under Article 11 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, to regulate the services of barbers, barber students, barber colleges, barber instructors, student instructors, and barbershops in Michigan. Article 11 defines a barber as a person who shaves or trims the beard of a person; cuts, trims, shampoos, relaxes, curls, permanently waves, dresses, tints, bleaches, colors, arranges, or styles the hair of a person; massages the face and head of a person; or renders personal services of a similar nature customarily done by a barber.

The board currently oversees the practice of approximately 5,802 barbers, 35 barber instructors, 1,919 barber shops, 614 student barbers, 6 student barber instructors and 4 private barber colleges.