CA Barber Exam Flashcards

Q: How many questions are on the California barber written exam?

The California barber exam, administered by PSI, has 95 total questions: 85 scored plus 10 unscored pretest questions that don't count toward your result. You have 2 hours (120 minutes) to finish, and you need to answer 64 of the 85 scored questions correctly — a 75% passing score. The exam is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese.

Q: What is the pass rate for the California barber exam?

The most recently reported average pass rate was about 30%, a steep drop from 63% the year before, according to data presented at a California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology meeting. The decline followed the state's 2022 switch to a written-only exam (the hands-on practical test was eliminated). The Board has not published more recent pass-rate figures since then.

Q: Do California barbers need continuing education to renew their license?

No. The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology does not require continuing education credits to renew a barber license. Barber licenses must be renewed every 2 years for a $50 fee, which can be paid online through the Board's BreEZe system.

Q: What disinfectant must California barbershops use?

California law (16 CCR §979) requires an EPA-registered disinfectant with demonstrated bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity. Non-electrical tools that touch a client (combs, brushes, non-disposable implements) must be totally immersed in the disinfectant; shears are cleaned differently — sprayed or wiped with an EPA-registered disinfectant rather than immersed.

Q: Is there a waiting period to retake the California barber exam after failing?

No. California has no mandatory waiting period between attempts — you can submit a Re-Examination Application with the $125 fee and retake the exam as soon as you're ready. There's no limit on the number of attempts, but each retake requires a new application and fee.

Question 1

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC)

Accepted Answer

The state agency, under the Department of Consumer Affairs, that licenses barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, and electrologists in California and enforces the Barbering and Cosmetology Act and Title 16 CCR regulations.

Question 2

SB 803 (2022) Changes to CA Barber Licensing

Accepted Answer

Effective January 1, 2022, SB 803 reduced required barber training hours from 1,500 to 1,000 and eliminated the hands-on practical exam. CA barber applicants now only need to pass the PSI written exam to become licensed.

Question 3

CA Barber Training Hour Breakdown (1,000 hrs)

Accepted Answer

The required 1,000-hour barber curriculum includes at least 100 hours health & safety, 100 hours disinfection/sanitation, 200 hours chemical hair services, 200 hours hairstyling, and 200 hours shaving/beard trimming, with the remainder in general theory and practice.

Question 4

CA Barber Written Exam Logistics

Accepted Answer

Administered by PSI: 95 questions (85 scored + 10 unscored pretest), 120 minutes, criterion-referenced passing score of 64/85 correct (75%). Offered in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese.

Question 5

CA Barber License Renewal

Accepted Answer

Barber licenses must be renewed every 2 years for a $50 fee, payable online through the Board's BreEZe system. California does NOT require continuing education (CE) credits to renew a barber license.

Question 6

CA Barber Minimum Eligibility

Accepted Answer

Applicants must be at least 17 years old, have completed the 10th grade (or equivalent), and complete 1,000 hours at a Board-approved school — or an approved apprenticeship under the Shelley-Maloney Apprentice Labor Standards Act of 1939.

Question 7

EPA-Registered Disinfectant (CA Requirement)

Accepted Answer

California law (16 CCR §979) requires barbershops to use an EPA-registered disinfectant with demonstrated bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity on all non-electrical tools that touch a client.

Question 8

Disinfecting Non-Electrical Tools (CA Procedure)

Accepted Answer

Remove visible debris, wash with soap/detergent and water, dry, then totally immerse the tool in an EPA-registered disinfectant per label instructions. Use gloves or tongs to remove tools from the solution — never bare hands.

Question 9

Disinfecting Shears (CA Rule)

Accepted Answer

Unlike other non-electrical tools, shears are NOT fully immersed. After removing debris and washing, they are sprayed or wiped with an EPA-registered disinfectant according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Question 10

Single-Use Items (16 CCR §981)

Accepted Answer

Items that cannot be disinfected — buffers, pumice stones, wax sticks, cotton pads, sponges, emery boards, neck strips, gloves — must be thrown away immediately after use on one client and never reused.

Question 11

Clean vs. Soiled Storage Labeling (CA)

Accepted Answer

California requires separate, clearly labeled containers: disinfected tools go in a covered container labeled 'Clean' or 'Disinfected'; used tools go in a container labeled 'Dirty,' 'Soiled,' or 'Contaminated.'

Question 12

Blood Exposure / Client Injury Response

Accepted Answer

Stop the service immediately, put on clean gloves, clean the wound with an antiseptic, and bandage it. Any tool or surface that contacted blood must be disinfected or discarded before the service resumes.

Question 13

Sharps & Contaminated Blade Disposal

Accepted Answer

Single-use blades and any implement contaminated with blood must go into a labeled, puncture-resistant sharps container — never placed in regular trash or reused on another client.

Question 14

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Accepted Answer

A manufacturer document listing a chemical product's hazards, safe handling, storage, and first-aid measures. OSHA requires barbershops to keep SDS sheets accessible for every chemical product in use.

Question 15

Contraindication

Accepted Answer

A condition — such as an open sore, scalp infection, or contagious disorder — that means a service should not be performed. The barber must refuse service and, if appropriate, refer the client to a physician.

Question 16

Hair Structure: Cuticle, Cortex, Medulla

Accepted Answer

Cuticle: the tough, protective outer layer of overlapping scales. Cortex: the middle layer containing pigment and most of the hair's strength and elasticity. Medulla: the innermost layer, sometimes absent in fine hair.

Question 17

Alopecia, Tinea Capitis, and Pediculosis Capitis

Accepted Answer

Alopecia: hair loss. Tinea capitis: a contagious fungal (ringworm) infection of the scalp — refuse service. Pediculosis capitis: head lice infestation, also contagious — refuse service.

Question 18

Dermatitis, Psoriasis, and Eczema

Accepted Answer

Dermatitis: general inflammatory skin reaction. Psoriasis: red patches covered with silvery-white scales, often on the scalp or elbows. Eczema: itchy, inflamed, scaly skin. Both are non-contagious and generally safe to serve.

Question 19

Hair Growth Cycle

Accepted Answer

Anagen: the active growth phase, lasting years. Catagen: a brief transition phase where growth stops. Telogen: the resting phase before the hair sheds and a new cycle begins.

Question 20

Hair Texture and Porosity

Accepted Answer

Texture describes the diameter of an individual hair strand (fine, medium, coarse). Porosity describes how easily hair absorbs moisture or chemicals, based on how raised or tight the cuticle layer is.

Question 21

Thermal Styling Heat Precautions

Accepted Answer

Always test a heated iron or hot comb on a heat-safe strip or tissue before use, use the lowest effective temperature for the hair type, and protect the scalp and skin from direct contact to prevent burns.

Question 22

Blow-Dry Styling Tools

Accepted Answer

Round and paddle brushes shape the hair and add tension while directing airflow. A diffuser attachment spreads airflow over a wider area to reduce frizz and preserve the hair's natural curl pattern.

Question 23

Haircutting Tool Safety: Razors vs. Clippers vs. Shears

Accepted Answer

Razors give the closest, most tapered cut but carry the highest nick risk. Clippers with guards cut quickly and safely at set lengths. Shears (scissors) allow precise cutting for blending and shaping.

Question 24

Clipper Guard Numbers

Accepted Answer

Guards attach over the clipper blade to control cutting length. Lower numbers (Guard 0-1) leave hair very short or skin-close; higher numbers (Guard 3-4 and up) leave hair progressively longer.

Question 25

Fade vs. Taper

Accepted Answer

A fade blends hair from skin-close at the bottom to longer hair above with no visible line. A taper is a more gradual, less extreme blend from short to longer hair.

Question 26

Elevation (Haircutting)

Accepted Answer

The angle at which a subsection of hair is held away from the head while cutting. Higher elevation removes more weight and builds graduation or layers; 0° elevation creates a blunt, one-length cut.

Question 27

Trimmers/Edgers vs. Clippers

Accepted Answer

Trimmers (edgers) have shorter, finer blades for precise outlining of hairlines, sideburns, and necklines. Clippers with guards handle bulk cutting over larger areas of the head.

Question 28

pH Scale and Hair/Skin pH

Accepted Answer

The pH scale runs 0-14: below 7 is acidic, exactly 7 is neutral, above 7 is alkaline. Healthy hair and skin sit in the acidic range, about pH 4.5 to 5.5.

Question 29

Hydroxide Relaxer

Accepted Answer

A high-pH (strongly alkaline, roughly 10-14) chemical relaxer that permanently straightens curly hair by breaking disulfide bonds. Fast-acting, and requires careful scalp and base protection.

Question 30

Thio (Ammonium Thioglycolate) Relaxer

Accepted Answer

A relaxer with a lower pH than hydroxide relaxers (roughly 9-10). Works more gently on the hair but requires a separate neutralizing step to re-harden the hair in its new straightened shape.

Question 31

Base Cream / Protective Base

Accepted Answer

A protective cream applied to the scalp and hairline before a relaxer service to shield the skin from chemical irritation or burns during processing.

Question 32

Alkaline vs. Acid Permanent Waves

Accepted Answer

Alkaline waves (higher pH) process faster at room temperature and produce a firmer curl. Acid waves (lower pH) process more slowly, often need added heat, and give a gentler, looser curl with less hair damage.

Question 33

Developer (Peroxide) Volume

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen peroxide developer strength controls the degree of lift in color and lightening services. Lower volumes (10-20) deposit color with minimal lift; higher volumes (30-40) lighten hair more.

Question 34

Patch (Predisposition) Test

Accepted Answer

A small amount of chemical product, such as color, is applied to skin behind the ear or on the inner elbow 24-48 hours before a chemical service to check for an allergic reaction.

Question 35

Strand Test

Accepted Answer

Applying a chemical product (relaxer, color, or wave) to a small strand of hair before the full service to check processing time, color result, or curl development before committing to the whole head.

Question 36

Metallic/Compound Dye Precaution

Accepted Answer

Hair previously treated with metallic or compound dyes can react unpredictably — discoloration, breakage, or excessive heat buildup — with other chemical services. Always ask about prior color history and strand-test first.

Question 37

Neutralizer

Accepted Answer

A product applied after a chemical relaxer or permanent wave to stop the chemical action and re-harden (re-bond) the hair in its new straightened or curled shape.

Question 38

The 7 Shaving Positions

Accepted Answer

A standard shave is broken into 7 numbered positions to systematically cover the whole face and neck: right side, right neck, under chin, left neck, left side, mustache/upper lip, and chin/front neck.

Question 39

Shaving Strokes: Freehand, Backhand, Reverse Freehand, Reverse Backhand

Accepted Answer

The 4 razor strokes tested on the CA exam. Freehand and backhand cover most of the face; reverse freehand and reverse backhand angle the razor oppositely and are used mainly on the sides of the neck.

Question 40

Shaving Stroke Direction

Accepted Answer

The first pass generally follows the direction of hair growth (with the grain) to reduce irritation. Going against the grain gives a closer shave but raises the risk of ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Question 41

Pre-Softening the Beard with Steam Towels

Accepted Answer

A hot, moist towel is applied to the face before shaving to soften the beard hair and open the pores, making the hair easier to cut and reducing irritation during the shave.

Question 42

Post-Shave Procedure

Accepted Answer

After shaving, the face is typically treated with a cool towel to close pores, followed by an antiseptic astringent or aftershave to soothe the skin and help prevent irritation or infection.

Question 43

Straight Razor vs. Clippers/Trimmers for Facial Hair

Accepted Answer

The straight razor gives the closest shave and sharpest outlines but requires the most skill and carries the highest nick risk. Clippers and trimmers cut facial hair faster and more safely at set lengths.

Question 44

Honing

Accepted Answer

The process of sharpening a dull straight razor blade by grinding it against a hone (whetstone) to restore a sharp cutting edge.

Question 45

Stropping

Accepted Answer

The process of aligning and polishing — not sharpening — a razor's edge by drawing it across a leather strop before each use. Done after honing, and typically repeated before every client.

Question 46

Razor Blade Angle

Accepted Answer

The optimal cutting angle for a straight razor against the skin is about 30 degrees, with the point of the blade leading the stroke for control and a close, even shave.

Question 47

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (Razor Bumps)

Accepted Answer

An inflammatory condition where curly facial hair curves back into the skin after shaving, causing ingrown-hair bumps. Shaving with the grain and avoiding overly close shaves helps reduce it.

Question 48

Beard/Mustache Design & Face Shape

Accepted Answer

Facial hair design should balance and complement the client's face shape — for example, adding width with beard fullness on a narrow jaw, or using vertical lines to lengthen a round face.

Question 49

Straight Razor Blade Types

Accepted Answer

Traditional fixed-blade straight razors require honing and stropping to maintain a sharp edge. Replaceable-blade (shaper/shavette) razors use disposable blades, giving a fresh, single-use edge for each client.

Question 50

Extraction and Astringent (Facial)

Accepted Answer

Extraction manually removes debris from clogged pores (comedones) using gentle pressure or a comedone extractor. An astringent is then applied afterward to tighten pores and remove excess oil.

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