What Kinds of Questions Will You Find on The Barber Exam?

You’ve graduated from Barbering School and now it’s time to take the California State Licensing Exam. But will you be prepared? Here is the 411 on what will be expected of you come exam day and how you can prepare:

What Is the Exam Like?

The Board’s licensing exam is a standardized test. It consists of a written and practical portion. The two parts: a computer-based written test, and a practical section, are both administered on the same day. The entire exam covers all the material you learned in school, and what you’ll need to know to be a licensed barber in the State of California.

How Long Does the Exam Last?

The practical portion of the barber exam takes about four hours. You get a 15-minute break halfway through the exam. Be mindful of time! If you are more than 5 minutes late, you won’t be allowed back into the exam room and will receive no score for the practical portion of the exam. You’re given 90 minutes to complete the written part of the exam.

Practical Portion

The most important thing to remember is that while you are in the exam room, you are always being evaluated. What you do and how you act matter every moment. You need to bring your own barber kit with properly prepared tools and supplies. You’ll need to set up your work station and demonstrate that you’ve mastered the barbering skills you learned in school. You’ll be tested on shaving and hair cutting, along with such important skills as proper disinfectant of work areas and client protection. Check out the current Candidate Information Bulletin available on the Board’s website  for the most recent list of services and tasks that will be required in the practical portion of the examination. Be aware that the practical exam cannot be rescheduled. Information about this will be included with the admission letter you’ll receive once you’ve been scheduled for the examination.

Written Portion

The written examination covers a wide range of topics meant to test your depth of knowledge in barbering. It consists of 100 questions that will test you on such topics as hair anatomy, chemistry, and proper techniques for providing excellent client services. You’ll need to know about amino acids and pH balance, about hair styles and hair pieces. Would you know the answer to these questions:

• When peptide bonds separate, can they be reformed?
• How do you prepare a 1:1000 quat solution for hair color?
• What are the factors that contribute to dandruff?

If you’ve always dreamed of becoming a barber, what are you waiting for? Salon Success Academy’s Barbering program will provide you with the basics of hair anatomy and physiology, and hands-on instruction on the latest hair cutting, coloring, and grooming techniques, along with real-world experience in our school salon. Your instructors will also help you get ready for the State Board exam and teach you how to make the most out of your career by providing excellent customer service after you have passed the exam. Learn how to become a successful barber with these 4 tips. 

Our Barbering Program is offered at both our Riverside and Upland campuses. Interested in this rewarding career? Call 877-987-HAIR now!