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California Barber License Exam Cheat Sheet

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CA Law & Licensing

  • Not published of exam
  • SB 803 Changes BBC Rules BreEZe Portal License Renewal Eligibility

Safety & Infection Control

  • 29% of exam
  • 16 CCR Rules EPA Disinfectants Bloodborne Pathogens OSHA & SDS Hand Hygiene

Client Consultation

  • 2% of exam
  • Intake Form Release Form Contraindications Refusal Conditions

Hair, Scalp & Skin Analysis

  • 11% of exam
  • Hair Structure Growth Cycle Scalp Disorders Skin Disorders

Hairstyling

  • 5% of exam
  • Blow-Dry Tools Thermal Irons Heat Precautions Styling Technique

Haircutting

  • 9% of exam
  • Razors Shears Trimmers/Edgers Clippers Elevation

Chemical Services

  • 18% of exam
  • Relaxers pH & Bonds Developer Volume Patch/Strand Tests

Shaving

  • 24% of exam
  • 7 Positions 4 Strokes Honing/Stropping Pseudofolliculitis

Skin Care

  • 2% of exam
  • Skin Analysis Facials Massage Tool Safety

Quick Facts

  • Exam CA Barber Written (PSI)
  • Regulator CA Board of Barbering/Cosmetology (BBC)
  • Questions 95 (85 scored, 10 pretest)
  • Time Limit 120 minutes
  • Passing Score 64 of 85 (75%)
  • Scoring Criterion-referenced
  • Training Hours 1,000 hours (post-SB 803)
  • Practical Exam Eliminated January 1, 2022
  • Languages English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese
  • License Renewal Every 2 years, $50

Employee vs. Independent Contractor CA

Employee

  • Employer withholds payroll taxes
  • Receives a W-2 form

Contractor (Booth Renter)

  • Pays self-employment taxes
  • Receives a 1099-NEC form
  • Classification affects taxes and control

CA Barber Licensing Facts CA

  • BBC Licenses barbers under DCA
  • Training hours 1,000 at approved school
  • Apprenticeship option Shelley-Maloney Act path
  • Min age 17 years old
  • Min education 10th grade or equivalent
  • Application fee $125 via BreEZe
  • Processing time 8-12 weeks typical

SB 803 (2022) Changes CA

  • Effective date January 1, 2022
  • Hours reduced 1,500 down to 1,000
  • Practical exam Eliminated entirely
  • 1,600-hour schools Must disclose extra hours optional
  • Retake wait None required

License Renewal Facts CA

  • Renewal cycle Every 2 years
  • Renewal fee $50
  • CE requirement None required
  • Payment method Online via BreEZe
  • Re-exam fee $125 per attempt

Tool Disinfection Steps SA

  • Remove debris, wash, dry, then fully immerse
  • Remove debris Wash with soap Dry the tool Immerse in disinfectant

Disinfecting Shears vs. Other Tools SA

Shears

  • Spray or wipe only
  • Never fully immersed

Other Non-Electrical Tools

  • Fully immersed required
  • Removed with gloves or tongs
  • Shears are the immersion exception

Which Disinfection Method? SA

  • Non-electrical tool used → Wash, then fully immerse ( EPA-registered disinfectant )
  • Shears after use → Spray or wipe disinfect ( Never immerse shears )
  • Electric clippers → Brush hair, spray disinfect ( Never submerge in liquid )
  • Item cannot be disinfected → Discard after one use ( Buffers, sponges, wax sticks )
  • Tool contacted blood → Disinfect or discard tool ( Before resuming service )

Disinfection Fundamentals SA

  • Sanitation Reduces germ numbers
  • Disinfection Destroys most pathogens
  • Sterilization Destroys all microbial life
  • Contact time Full label wet-time
  • Solution change Daily, or if contaminated
  • Debris removal First step, before disinfecting

16 CCR Tool Disinfection Rules SA

  • EPA-registered Bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal
  • Non-electrical tools Fully immersed before use
  • Shears exception Sprayed or wiped only
  • Removing tools Gloves or tongs, never hands
  • Clean storage Covered, labeled Clean/Disinfected
  • Soiled storage Labeled Dirty/Soiled/Contaminated
  • Single-use items Discarded after one client

Bloodborne Exposure Response SA

  • Step 1 Stop the service immediately
  • Step 2 Put on clean gloves
  • Step 3 Clean wound with antiseptic
  • Step 4 Bandage the wound
  • Sharps disposal Puncture-resistant labeled container
  • HBV vaccine Employer must offer it

Regulatory Agencies & Hygiene SA

  • BBC Licensing and inspections
  • OSHA Workplace safety standards
  • EPA Registers disinfectants under FIFRA
  • SDS Chemical hazard document, OSHA-required
  • Hand wash At least 20 seconds

Serve or Refuse the Client? CL

  • Ringworm or lice visible → Refuse service ( Contagious, refer to physician )
  • Psoriasis or eczema present → Proceed with service ( Non-contagious conditions )
  • Open sore or fresh cut → Refuse until healed ( Infection risk )
  • Alopecia areata present → Proceed with service ( Autoimmune, not contagious )
  • Condition looks unclear → Decline, refer physician ( When in doubt )

Consultation & Refusal Rules CL

  • Intake form Records client health history
  • Release form Documents informed consent
  • Contraindication Condition barring the service
  • Refuse & refer Suspected contagious condition
  • Neck strip Barrier between cape, skin

Hair Layer Order Mnemonic HA

  • Cuticle protects, cortex colors, medulla is the core
  • Cuticle = outer shield Cortex = color and strength Medulla = innermost core

Hair Structure & Growth Cycle HA

  • Cuticle Outer protective scale layer
  • Cortex Pigment, strength, elasticity layer
  • Medulla Innermost, sometimes absent layer
  • Keratin Main structural hair protein
  • Anagen Active growth phase
  • Catagen Brief transition phase
  • Telogen Resting, pre-shed phase

Hair Growth Cycle Mnemonic HA

  • Anagen grows, catagen transitions, telogen rests
  • Anagen = active growth Catagen = brief transition Telogen = resting shed phase

Scalp & Skin Disorders HA

  • Alopecia General term for hair loss
  • Alopecia areata Autoimmune, smooth round patches
  • Tinea capitis Contagious fungal ringworm, refuse
  • Pediculosis capitis Head lice, contagious, refuse
  • Psoriasis Silvery scaled patches, non-contagious
  • Eczema Itchy inflamed skin, non-contagious

Hairstyling Heat & Tools HA

  • Round brush Adds curl and volume
  • Paddle brush Smooths for straight finish
  • Diffuser Spreads airflow, reduces frizz
  • Heat protectant Coats hair before thermal styling
  • Fine hair heat About 250-300 degrees F
  • Coarse hair heat Up to about 400 degrees F

Fade vs. Taper HA

Fade

  • Skin-close at the bottom
  • Blends with no visible line

Taper

  • Gradual, less extreme blend
  • Less overall contrast
  • A fade is an extreme taper

Haircutting Tools & Guards HA

  • Razor Closest cut, highest nick risk
  • Shears Precise blending and shaping
  • Trimmers/edgers Fine outlining of hairlines
  • Clippers Fast bulk cutting with guards
  • Guard numbers Lower number, shorter length
  • Blade gap About 1/16 inch offset

Haircutting Technique Terms HA

  • Guideline First section sets length
  • Elevation Angle hair held from head
  • 0-degree elevation Blunt, one-length cut
  • 90-degree elevation Uniform layers result
  • Point cutting Shear tips create texture
  • Cross-checking Comb opposite section direction

Hydroxide vs. Thio Relaxer CH

Hydroxide

  • High pH, 10-14
  • Fast processing time
  • Strict base protection needed

Thio

  • Lower pH, 9-10
  • Gentler on the hair
  • Needs separate neutralizer step
  • Match relaxer strength to sensitivity

Which Relaxer or Wave? CH

  • Fast strong straightening needed → Sodium hydroxide relaxer ( High pH, 10-14 )
  • Gentler process acceptable → Thio relaxer ( Needs separate neutralizer )
  • Firm curl, faster process → Alkaline cold wave ( Higher pH, more damage )
  • Looser curl, less damage → Acid-balanced wave ( Slower, often needs heat )
  • Prior metallic dye used → Run a strand test ( Risk of breakage )

pH & Hair Bond Chemistry CH

  • pH scale 0 to 14, 7 neutral
  • Healthy hair/skin pH About 4.5 to 5.5
  • Hydrogen bonds Broken by water, heat
  • Disulfide bonds Broken only by chemicals
  • Alkaline effect Swells, opens the cuticle

Alkaline vs. Acid Wave CH

Alkaline (Cold)

  • Higher pH, faster process
  • Firmer curl result

Acid-Balanced

  • Lower pH, slower process
  • Gentler, less hair damage
  • Firmer curl trades off damage

Chemical Service Testing & Prep CH

  • Patch test Checks allergy, 24-48 hours prior
  • Strand test Checks processing time, result
  • Base cream Protects scalp before relaxer
  • Metallic dye risk Can cause breakage, discoloration
  • 10-20 volume developer Deposits color, minimal lift
  • 30-40 volume developer Lightens hair more
  • Neutralizer Stops action, re-hardens bonds

7 Shave Position Sequence SH

  • Right side, right neck, chin, left neck, left, lip, front
  • Right side Right neck Under chin Left neck Left side Mustache/lip Chin/front neck

Honing vs. Stropping SH

Honing

  • Sharpens a dull edge
  • Uses a hone stone
  • Done infrequently

Stropping

  • Aligns and polishes edge
  • Uses a leather strop
  • Done before every client
  • Hone rarely, strop every use

Which Shave Stroke to Use? SH

  • Cheek or jaw, with grain → Freehand stroke ( Standard cutting position )
  • Opposite growth direction area → Backhand stroke ( Razor turned around )
  • Upper lip or chin → Reverse freehand stroke ( Edge faces upward )
  • Under jaw or neck → Reverse backhand stroke ( Reverse plus backhand )
  • Razor feels dull → Hone the blade ( Stropping alone won't fix it )

Shaving Prep & Strokes SH

  • Hot towel Pre-softens beard, opens pores
  • First pass With the grain, less irritation
  • Freehand stroke Standard cutting position
  • Backhand stroke Razor turned, opposite direction
  • Reverse freehand Edge faces upward
  • Reverse backhand Reverse plus turned position

4 Shave Stroke Directions SH

  • Freehand, backhand, reverse freehand, reverse backhand
  • Freehand = standard position Backhand = turned around Reverse freehand = edge up Reverse backhand = up and turned

Straight Razor vs. Shavette SH

Straight Razor

  • Fixed blade, closest shave
  • Needs honing and stropping

Shavette

  • Replaceable disposable blade
  • Fresh edge per client
  • Both discard blades after one client

Razor Care & Post-Shave SH

  • Honing Sharpens a dull blade edge
  • Stropping Aligns edge, done each client
  • Razor angle About 30 degrees to skin
  • Shavette Disposable blade, no honing
  • Pseudofolliculitis barbae Curly hair curves into skin
  • Post-shave Cool towel, then astringent

Facial & Skin Care Terms SK

  • Skin analysis Identifies type and conditions
  • Extraction Removes debris from clogged pores
  • Astringent Tightens pores after extraction
  • Effleurage Light gliding massage stroke
  • Comedone Clogged pore, blackhead/whitehead

Common Traps

Shears Fully Immersed

  • Wrong, spray or wipe only ≠ Immersion can damage the hinge

CE Credits Required to Renew

  • Wrong, CA needs none ≠ Just pay $50 every 2 years

Practical Exam Still Required

  • Wrong since January 2022 ≠ Written PSI exam only now

Stropping Sharpens the Blade

  • Wrong, stropping only aligns ≠ Honing is what sharpens

1,500 Hours Still Required

  • Wrong after SB 803 ≠ Now only 1,000 hours

Any Disinfectant Solution Works

  • Wrong, must be EPA-registered ≠ Needs bactericidal/fungicidal/virucidal claims

Mandatory Wait to Retake

  • Wrong, no CA waiting period ≠ Reapply anytime with $125 fee

Barber Equals Cosmetology License

  • Wrong, CA licenses separately ≠ Different scope, same regulating board

Last Minute

  • 1. Passing score: 64 correct of 85
  • 2. Exam has 95 questions, 120 minutes
  • 3. Shears: spray or wipe, never immerse
  • 4. SB 803 requires 1,000 training hours
  • 5. No continuing education needed to renew
  • 6. License renews every 2 years, $50
  • 7. No mandatory wait to retake exam
  • 8. Healthy hair/skin pH is 4.5-5.5
  • 9. Razor angle is about 30 degrees
  • 10. Strop every client, hone only rarely
  • 11. Single-use items: discard after one client
  • 12. Refuse service for ringworm or lice

California Barber License

  • Practice Questions 234 questions Study Guide 16 topics Cheat Sheet 106 facts Flashcards 50 cards Shorts 3 short s Videos 1 video Blogs 1 blog Free CE