Barber License Exam Cheat Sheet

Scientific Concepts

35% of exam
Infection Control EPA Disinfectants Bloodborne Pathogens Head Anatomy Skin & Hair Disorders pH Basics

Implements and Equipment

10% of exam
Tools & Implements Clipper Guards Equipment Sanitation Razor Care

Hair Care Services

40% of exam
Client Consultation Haircutting & Tapering Hair Styling Chemical Relaxing Chemical Waving Hair Coloring

Facial Hair and Skin Care Services

15% of exam
Shaving Positions Razor Care Facial Treatments Electrotherapy

Quick Facts

Exam Barber Styling Theory
Body NIC
Items 110 (100 scored)
Time 90 minutes
Pass 75% (varies by state)
Domains 4 content areas
Fee $100 to $200
Format Multiple choice, computer-based

Infection Control Ladder SC

Sanitize -> Disinfect -> Sterilize
Sanitize: reduce germs Disinfect: kill most Sterilize: kill all

Cleaning vs Disinfecting SC

Cleaning

Removes visible debris
Soap and water
Always comes first

Disinfecting

Kills most pathogens
EPA-registered product
Needs full contact time
Clean before you disinfect

Disinfection Level Picker SC

Blood or body fluid → Sterilize or discard ( Bloodborne pathogen rule )
Non-porous metal tool → Disinfect with EPA product ( Full contact time )
Porous item like nail file → Single-use, discard after
Client skin, minor cut → Clean and apply antiseptic
Reusable multi-use tool → Clean, then disinfect ( Two-step process )
Visible debris on tool → Clean first, then disinfect ( Debris blocks disinfectant )
Workstation and surfaces → Disinfect between every client

Infection Control Levels SC

Sanitation Reduces germ numbers
Disinfection Kills most pathogens
Sterilization Kills all microbes
Antisepsis Used on living skin
Contamination Unclean tool contact
Cross-contamination Spreads between clients

pH Scale Memory SC

0 acidic, 7 neutral, 14 alkaline
Below 7: acidic Exactly 7: neutral Above 7: alkaline Hair/skin: 4.5-5.5 pH

Disinfect vs Sterilize SC

Disinfect

Kills most microorganisms
For non-porous tools
Chemical solution soak

Sterilize

Kills all microbial life
Includes bacterial spores
Needs autoclave heat
Sterile kills everything, no exceptions

Disinfectants & EPA Rules SC

EPA-registered Required disinfectant type
Contact time Full wet-time required
Quats Common salon disinfectant
Hospital-grade Kills tuberculosis claim
Immersion Tool fully submerged
10-minute rule Typical EPA contact time

Bones of the Head SC

Cranium encases brain, face bones shape features
Frontal: forehead Parietal: crown Occipital: back skull Temporal: side, ear Mandible: lower jaw

Sensory vs Motor Nerves SC

Sensory

Carries feeling to brain
Touch, pain, temperature

Motor

Carries movement signals out
Controls muscle contraction
Sensory feels, motor moves

Bloodborne Pathogen Response SC

Stop service Immediately
Gloves on Before contact
Clean wound With antiseptic
Bandage area Cover completely
Sharps disposal Puncture-proof container
Disinfect surfaces All contact areas
Discard implement Single-use items

Head & Neck Bones SC

Cranium Bones of skull
Frontal bone Forms the forehead
Parietal bone Crown of head
Occipital bone Back of skull
Temporal bone Above and behind ear
Mandible Lower jawbone
Maxillae Upper jawbones

Head & Face Muscles SC

Frontalis Raises the eyebrows
Occipitalis Draws scalp backward
Masseter Chewing muscle
Temporalis Raises the lower jaw
Platysma Depresses jaw and neck
Trapezius Moves shoulders and back
Sternocleidomastoid Rotates and turns head

Nerves of the Head SC

Fifth cranial Trifacial, sensory nerve
Seventh cranial Facial, motor nerve
Sensory nerves Carry feeling to brain
Motor nerves Carry movement to muscles
Supraorbital nerve Forehead and scalp area
Mental nerve Chin and lower lip

Skin Disorders SC

Dermatitis Skin inflammation
Psoriasis Red, scaly patches
Eczema Itchy, inflamed skin
Milia Small white bumps
Comedones Blackheads and whiteheads
Rosacea Chronic facial redness

Hair & Scalp Disorders SC

Alopecia Hair loss
Tinea capitis Contagious scalp ringworm
Pediculosis Head lice infestation
Trichoptilosis Split hair ends
Fragilitas crinium Brittle, breaking hair
Seborrheic dermatitis Oily, flaking scalp

pH & Chemistry Basics SC

pH scale Ranges zero to 14
Neutral Exactly pH 7
Acidic Below pH 7
Alkaline Above pH 7
Hair and skin pH About 4.5 to 5.5
Overexposure Risk of chemical burns

Straight Razor vs Clippers IM

Straight Razor

Closest possible shave
Needs honing, stropping
Higher skill required

Clippers

Motorized, faster cutting
Uses interchangeable guards
Lower injury risk
Razor for precision, clippers for speed

Clipper Guard Picker IM

Skin-close fade needed → Guard 0 or bald clipper
Short, tight cut → Guard 1 or 2
Medium length top → Guard 3 or 4
Blend two lengths → Taper or fade technique
Detail hairline or edges → Trimmer, not clippers

Tools & Implements IM

Straight razor Fixed or replaceable blade
Shears Haircutting scissors
Clippers Motorized cutting tool
Trimmers Detail edging tool
Combs Section and guide hair
Thinning shears Remove bulk from hair

Clipper & Guard Basics IM

Guard 0 Skin-close cut length
Guard 1 Short, close cut
Guard 2 Medium-short cut length
Fade Skin to hair blend
Taper Gradual neckline blend
Blending shears Soften harsh cut lines

Equipment Sanitation IM

Autoclave Steam sterilizes metal tools
UV cabinet Stores disinfected tools
Wet sanitizer Holds disinfectant solution
Single-use items Discard after each client
Neck strips Barrier under the cape
Clean workstation Wipe down between clients

Alkaline vs Acid Wave HA

Alkaline

Higher pH level
Faster, stronger curl
Processes at room temp

Acid

Lower pH level
Gentler, weaker curl
Often needs added heat
Alkaline is faster, harsher

Service Safety Check HA

Open sore or wound → Refuse service, refer out
Signs of scalp infection → Refuse service immediately
Client requests chemical over color → Strand test first
New chemical client → Predisposition test 24-48 hrs ( Checks for allergic reaction )
Metallic salts suspected in hair → Skip chemical service ( Can cause damage )
Healthy hair and scalp → Proceed with consultation
Uncertain hair condition → Perform strand test

Client Consultation HA

Assessment Check hair and scalp
Contraindication Reason to refuse service
Consultation card Records client history
Patch test Done 24-48 hours prior
Strand test Checks chemical service result
Predisposition test Checks for allergic reaction

Hydroxide vs Thio Relaxer HA

Hydroxide

High pH, strong action
Permanent bond change

Thio

Lower pH, gentler action
Requires neutralizer step
Hydroxide stronger, thio gentler

Haircutting & Tapering HA

Shaping Overall cut form
Outlining Defines the hairline
Neck shave Cleans the nape
Taper Blends short to long
Fade Skin-close to longer blend
Layering Graduated length sections
Elevation Angle hair is held

Hair Styling Methods HA

Wet styling Sets damp hair
Blow-dry styling Heat plus airflow
Thermal styling Iron or hot tool
Natural styling Braiding, locks, twists
Finger waving Molds S-shaped waves

Chemical Relaxing HA

Hydroxide relaxer High pH, fast-acting
Thio relaxer Lower pH, gentler
Keratin treatment Smooths, reduces frizz
Base cream Protects the scalp
Neutralizer Stops relaxer action

Chemical Waving & Texturizing HA

Alkaline wave Faster, stronger curl
Acid wave Gentler, weaker curl
Non-thio wave No ammonium thioglycolate
Rod size Sets curl diameter
Processing time Watched closely, timed

Hair Coloring & Lightening HA

Permanent color Alters natural pigment
Semi-permanent Fades, no lift
Lightener Removes natural pigment
Foiling Isolates coloring sections
Developer volume Controls the lift level
Patch test Done 24-48 hours prior

7 Shaving Positions FA

Position 1 to 7: right to left
Pos 1-2: right side Pos 3: under chin Pos 4-5: left side Pos 6: mustache Pos 7: chin front

7 Shaving Positions FA

Position 1 Right side of face
Position 2 Right side of neck
Position 3 Under the chin
Position 4 Left side of neck
Position 5 Left side of face
Position 6 Mustache and upper lip
Position 7 Chin and front neck

Razor Care FA

Honing Sharpens a dull edge
Stropping Aligns and polishes edge
Draw stroke Basic cutting motion
Free-hand stroke Common shave stroke
Backhand stroke Reverse direction stroke

Facial Treatments FA

Steam towel Softens beard, opens pores
Massage Boosts circulation, relaxes
Cleansing Removes debris and oil
Extraction Removes clogged pores
Astringent Tightens and closes pores

Electrotherapy & Light FA

High-frequency Germicidal, stimulating current
Galvanic current Pushes product into skin
Red light Stimulates blood circulation
Blue light Targets acne bacteria
Modalities Different current and light types

Common Traps

Disinfect vs Sterilize

Disinfect kills most germs ≠ Sterilize kills everything, spores too

Sanitation vs Disinfection

Sanitation just reduces germs ≠ Disinfection kills most pathogens

Cleaning vs Disinfecting Order

Cleaning removes visible debris ≠ Disinfecting kills remaining germs

Alkaline vs Acid Waves

Alkaline is faster, stronger ≠ Acid is gentler, weaker

Sensory vs Motor Nerves

Sensory nerves carry feeling ≠ Motor nerves carry movement

Fifth vs Seventh Cranial Nerve

Fifth nerve senses face ≠ Seventh nerve moves face

Hydroxide vs Thio Relaxer

Hydroxide is high pH ≠ Thio is lower pH

Last Minute

1. Sterilize kills everything; disinfect does not
2. Exam has 110 questions, 100 scored
3. Exam allows 90 minutes total time
4. Scientific Concepts domain equals 35 percent
5. Hair Care Services equals 40 percent
6. Facial and Skin Care equals 15%
7. Implements and Equipment equals 10 percent
8. Patch test required 24-48 hours ahead
9. Stop service immediately if blood appears
10. Seven numbered positions cover a shave
11. Fifth nerve senses; seventh nerve moves
12. Clean tools first, disinfect them second

Barber License

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