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Key Facts: BM Coiffure Exam

Niveau 5

National qualification level under RNCP (Bac+2 / EQF Level 5)

France Compétences (RNCP42351)

Maître Artisan

Prestigious craft distinction accessible to BM diploma holders

CMA France — Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat

6 blocs

Independently validated blocs de compétences making up the certification (3 professional, 3 enterprise)

France Compétences (RNCP42351)

29-05-2028

Expiry date of the current RNCP registration of the BM Coiffeur

France Compétences (RNCP42351)

Bail 3-6-9

Standard French statutory commercial lease governing salon premises

Code de commerce, article L. 145-1

The Brevet de Maîtrise Coiffeur (RNCP42351) is France's highest craft qualification in hairdressing (Level 5 / Bac+2), certified by CMA France and opening access to the title of Maître Artisan. It is organised into six independently validated blocs de compétences — relooking transformation, complete hairdresser/barber service, artistic hairstyling, salon creation and development, commercialisation and human resources — assessed through professional situations, case studies and an entrepreneurial portfolio defence. This OpenExamPrep bank provides English-language practice questions covering commercial lease law, salon valuation, financial ratios, staff leadership and creative technical work.

Sample BM Coiffure Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the BM Coiffure exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 104+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the French standard commercial lease framework (statut des baux commerciaux, 'bail 3-6-9'), when does the tenant artisan hairdresser possess the statutory right to terminate the lease unilaterally without special justification?
A.At any time by giving one month written notice to the bailleur.
B.Exclusively at the end of each three-year period (triennale) by serving notice at least six months in advance via commissaire de justice or registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.
C.Only at the expiration of the full nine-year term, unless the landlord commits a gross contractual breach.
D.Every year on the anniversary date of the contract by providing three months notice.
Explanation: Under Article L145-4 of the French Code de commerce, the tenant under a commercial lease has the legal option to terminate at the expiration of each three-year period (giving rise to the term '3-6-9'). The tenant must give notice at least six months prior to the end of the triennial period, delivered through a commissaire de justice (formerly huissier) or via lettre recommandée avec avis de réception (LRAR).
2When acquiring an established hairdressing business (cession de fonds de commerce), which of the following elements is classified as an incorporeal asset (élément incorporel)?
A.The hydraulic styling chairs, washing units (bacs de lavage), and hair steamers.
B.The retail stock of shampoos, conditioners, and styling sprays held in the back office.
C.The commercial trade name (nom commercial), business signage (enseigne), customer file (clientèle), and the leasehold right (droit au bail).
D.The cash reserves and current bank account balance of the seller.
Explanation: In French commercial law, the fonds de commerce consists of tangible elements (éléments corporels: equipment, tools, furniture, and inventory) and intangible elements (éléments incorporels). The intangible elements include the clientele and business goodwill (achalandage), the commercial name, the signage, licenses, and crucially the droit au bail (right to the commercial lease). Bank accounts, receivables, and debts are excluded from the transfer of the fonds de commerce unless specifically contracted.
3If the commercial landlord refuses to renew a hairdresser's commercial lease at the end of its 9-year term without proving a grave and legitimate fault, what legal indemnity must the landlord pay under Article L145-14 of the French Code de commerce?
A.A flat-rate penalty equal to exactly 12 months of the last paid base rent.
B.An eviction indemnity (indemnité d'éviction) designed to cover the entire financial prejudice caused by the non-renewal, generally equal to the replacement value of the fonds de commerce.
C.A compensation limited strictly to the physical renovation costs incurred by the tenant during the lease.
D.No indemnity is due as commercial leases expire without renewal obligations.
Explanation: Article L145-14 of the Code de commerce establishes commercial property ownership rights (propriété commerciale). If a landlord refuses renewal without statutory grounds (such as serious unpaid rents or building demolition for safety), they must pay an indemnité d'éviction. This indemnity typically covers the market value of the business (indemnité de remplacement) plus ancillary costs (moving expenses, transfer taxes, redundancy payments) if the customer base cannot be transferred.
4A Master Artisan hairdresser establishes a salon with two partners, holding 60% of the corporate shares and acting as managing director (gérant). What is their mandatory social security status in an SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée)?
A.Assimilé salarié affiliated with the General Social Security Scheme (Régime Général) with full unemployment insurance benefits.
B.Travailleur Non Salarié (TNS) affiliated with the Sécurité Sociale des Indépendants (SSI), as a majority manager (gérant majoritaire).
C.Auto-entrepreneur exempt from all social contributions during the first three fiscal years.
D.Salarié cadre governed exclusively by the collective agreement IDCC 2596 without corporate liability.
Explanation: In an SARL, a gérant who holds more than 50% of the voting shares (including shares held by their spouse and minor children) is legally classified as a gérant majoritaire. Gérants majoritaires are subject to the social regime of the self-employed (Travailleurs Non Salariés - TNS) under the Sécurité Sociale des Indépendants, which entails lower social contribution rates on compensation compared to the general scheme, but excludes standard Pôle Emploi/France Travail unemployment coverage.
5In a comprehensive business plan for a new high-end hairdressing salon, what is the primary role of the initial financing plan (plan de financement initial)?
A.To record the day-to-day cash disbursements and client payments during the third operating year.
B.To verify that all long-term capital requirements (immobilisations, droit au bail, travaux, BFR de démarrage) are fully and stably funded by sustainable resources (apport personnel, emprunt bancaire, subventions).
C.To calculate the progressive corporate income tax (impôt sur les sociétés) payable at the end of each quarter.
D.To define the weekly roster and schedule of styling technicians and apprentices.
Explanation: The plan de financement initial (or tableau des emplois et ressources de démarrage) balances the startup needs (frais d'établissement, commercial lease rights, styling fixtures, plumbing, initial stock, and working capital reserve) against durable financial resources (equity contribution, bank term loans, honorary loans). It ensures the financial viability and solvency of the project before trading commences.
6When conducting market research for a city-center hair salon, how is an isochrone catchment area (zone de chalandise isochrone) defined?
A.A geographic zone based on equal travel time (e.g., 5, 10, or 15 minutes walking or driving) to access the salon.
B.A radial perimeter calculated purely on physical distance in kilometers (e.g., 2 km radius) regardless of traffic.
C.An administrative zoning district defined by municipal tax boundaries.
D.A demographic segment restricted to customers belonging to identical age brackets.
Explanation: An isochrone zone measures the geographical area from which potential clients can reach the salon within a specified travel duration (e.g., 5-minute walking radius for urban pedestrians, or 10-minute driving radius with parking considerations). In contrast, an isodistance zone uses physical linear distance regardless of natural barriers or transit infrastructure.
7When evaluating a bank loan application for the takeover of an artisan hair salon, what personal equity contribution (apport personnel) percentage is typically demanded by French lending institutions?
A.0% to 5%, relying entirely on state guarantees.
B.20% to 30% of the total project investment cost.
C.70% to 80%, with the bank providing only residual working capital.
D.100% of all tangible investments, borrowing only for marketing expenses.
Explanation: In French artisan banking practice (Banques Populaires, Crédit Agricole, etc.), lenders generally require the entrepreneur to provide 20% to 30% of the total financing need as personal equity (apport en fonds propres). This demonstrates commitment, absorbs early operational risk, and maintains a sustainable debt-to-equity ratio.
8Under French statutory commercial lease regulations, which official index must legally be used to cap the periodic indexation of rent for a retail hairdressing salon?
A.Indice des Prix à la Consommation (IPC) excluding tobacco.
B.Indice des Loyers Commerciaux (ILC).
C.Indice du Coût de la Construction (ICC) exclusively.
D.Indice des Loyers des Activités Tertiaires (ILAT).
Explanation: Under the Code de commerce (Article L145-34 and Article L145-38), rent adjustments for commercial and artisanal retail activities (such as hairdressing salons serving individual consumers) are governed by the Indice des Loyers Commerciaux (ILC). The ILAT is reserved for tertiary office and logistics activities, while the ICC was phased out as the primary retail index due to excessive volatility.
9Using the turnover-percentage method found in the published French valuation scales (barème du Guide de l'évaluation des éditions Francis Lefebvre), what order of magnitude is applied to value a hairdressing salon's fonds de commerce?
A.Around 1% to 5% of annual turnover, because the clientele has almost no transferable value.
B.Roughly 30% to 80% of annual turnover excluding tax, weighted over the last three financial years, with recorded sales clustering around a median of about 50-55%.
C.A fixed 300% of annual turnover, identical for every salon regardless of location.
D.A flat multiple of ten times the cash balance shown in the bank account.
Explanation: The published French valuation scales give hairdressing a broad band expressed as a percentage of turnover: the Francis Lefebvre valuation guide quotes roughly 30% to 80% of annual CA HT for coiffure, and observed transaction statistics put the median ratio near 53% with the middle half of sales between about 30% and 73%. The figure is normally applied to a turnover weighted over the last three financial years, then adjusted for location, lease terms, condition of the fit-out, staff stability and, above all, restated profitability (EBE retraité) — which is why a turnover percentage is only a starting point and is always cross-checked against an earnings-based method.
10Following the French legal reform of May 15, 2022 regarding sole proprietorships (Loi n° 2022-172 en faveur de l'activité professionnelle indépendante), how are the personal assets of an artisan operating as an Entreprise Individuelle (EI) protected?
A.The artisan must still execute a formal declaration of unseizability (déclaration d'insaisissabilité) before a notary for all non-real-estate assets.
B.The artisan's personal patrimony is automatically separated by law from their professional patrimony, shielding personal assets from professional creditors without creating an EIRL.
C.Personal assets are only protected if the artisan registers a single-member corporation (EURL or SASU).
D.Creditors have unrestricted seizure rights over all personal bank accounts and furniture for any professional debt.
Explanation: The law of February 14, 2022 (effective May 15, 2022) established automatic patrimonial separation for every Entreprise Individuelle (EI). Under Article L526-22 of the Code de commerce, an individual entrepreneur's personal estate is automatically insulated from debts incurred in the exercise of their professional activity, eliminating the need to create an EIRL or file specific notarial declarations.

About the BM Coiffure Exam

The Brevet de Maîtrise Coiffeur (BM Coiffeur, RNCP42351, Level 5 EQF / Bac+2) is the highest craft qualification in the French hairdressing profession. Certified by CMA France, the network of French Chambers of Trades and Crafts, it opens access to the legally protected title of Maître Artisan. It is organised into six independently assessed blocs de compétences: three professional blocs covering a complete relooking transformation, a full hairdresser/barber service and artistic and creative hairstyling, and three enterprise blocs covering the creation and development of a salon, the commercialisation of its services and the management of its people. The official assessment is conducted in French through professional situations, case studies and portfolio defences — there is no official multiple-choice paper. OpenExamPrep delivers an English-language MCQ study adaptation of this master-artisan curriculum; it is a study aid, not an official translation or a simulation of the examination's format.

Exam sponsor: Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat (CMA France / APCMA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The BM Coiffeur (RNCP42351, Level 5 / Bac+2, certifier CMA France) is organised into six blocs de compétences, each validated independently: RNCP42351BC01 Effectuer une transformation relooking de la chevelure; BC02 Réaliser une prestation complète de coiffeur/barbier; BC03 Réaliser des coiffures artistiques et créatives; BC04 Créer et développer un salon de coiffure; BC05 Commercialiser les prestations du salon de coiffure; BC06 Gérer les ressources humaines du salon de coiffure. Evaluation combines real professional situations on models and on a technical plateau, artistic composition work, problem-solving exercises, case studies, an entrepreneurial portfolio with an oral analysis, a foreign-language activity presentation and a simulation of the maître d'apprentissage role. The CMA training route additionally delivers the general modules shared by every Brevet de Maîtrise (entrepreneurial, commercial-marketing, economic and financial, human resources, training the apprentice, and communicating in a foreign language).

Time Limit

Modular assessment spread over several sessions combining practical professional situations, written case studies and oral defences

Passing Score

Certification is obtained by validating all six blocs de compétences; each bloc is assessed independently and can be acquired separately

Exam / Certification Fees

Set by each regional CMA — CMA France publishes no single national fee; training and assessment are commonly financed through an apprenticeship contract, OPCO EP or CPF

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20 of 104 questions

Artisanal Business Creation, Acquisition & Strategy

Business plans, commercial lease (bail commercial 3-6-9), goodwill valuation (fonds de commerce), legal structures (SARL, SAS, micro/EI), and bank financing

20 of 104 questions

Financial Management, Profitability & Cost Accounting

Balance sheets (bilan), income statements, working capital needs (BFR), cash flow forecasting, financial ratios, break-even thresholds, and workstation cost analysis

20 of 104 questions

Commercial Strategy, Merchandising & Digital Marketing

Salon brand positioning, digital communication (SEO, Instagram, booking engines), retail visual merchandising, client retention strategy, and quality charters

20 of 104 questions

Human Resources Leadership & Apprentice Tutoring

Recruitment, collective bargaining (IDCC 2596), labor dispute mediation, team motivation, and the pedagogical duties of the certified Maître d'apprentissage

24 of 104 questions

Haute Coiffure, Artistic Direction & Innovation

Relooking sequencing, barber protocol and beard design, artistic collection concepts, moodboards, editorial chignons, morpho-visagism, creative colour with direct dyes, and green salon sustainability

Preparing for the BM Coiffure Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Certification is obtained by validating all six blocs de compétences; each bloc is assessed independently and can be acquired separately
  • Assessment: The BM Coiffeur (RNCP42351, Level 5 / Bac+2, certifier CMA France) is organised into six blocs de compétences, each validated independently: RNCP42351BC01 Effectuer une transformation relooking de la chevelure; BC02 Réaliser une prestation complète de coiffeur/barbier; BC03 Réaliser des coiffures artistiques et créatives; BC04 Créer et développer un salon de coiffure; BC05 Commercialiser les prestations du salon de coiffure; BC06 Gérer les ressources humaines du salon de coiffure. Evaluation combines real professional situations on models and on a technical plateau, artistic composition work, problem-solving exercises, case studies, an entrepreneurial portfolio with an oral analysis, a foreign-language activity presentation and a simulation of the maître d'apprentissage role. The CMA training route additionally delivers the general modules shared by every Brevet de Maîtrise (entrepreneurial, commercial-marketing, economic and financial, human resources, training the apprentice, and communicating in a foreign language).
  • Time limit: Modular assessment spread over several sessions combining practical professional situations, written case studies and oral defences
  • Exam / certification fees: Set by each regional CMA — CMA France publishes no single national fee; training and assessment are commonly financed through an apprenticeship contract, OPCO EP or CPF Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 104 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
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BM Coiffure: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the distinction between Working Capital (FRNG - Fonds de Roulement Net Global), Working Capital Requirement (BFR - Besoin en Fonds de Roulement), and Net Cash Flow (Trésorerie Nette = FRNG - BFR).
2Understand French commercial lease rules (Bail commercial 3-6-9): statutory renewal rights, eviction indemnity (indemnité d'éviction), and indexation ceilings (ILC - Indice des Loyers Commerciaux).
3Review the legal obligations of the Maître d'apprentissage: registration of apprenticeship contracts with the OPCO, designated apprentice supervision limits (maximum 2 apprentices per qualified mentor), and safety exemptions for minor workers.
4Analyze salon workstation profitability: calculate the hourly cost price of a styling station by aggregating direct labor, indirect overheads, consumable product ratios, and occupancy expenses.
5Practice morpho-visagism principles: analyze how facial shapes (oval, round, square, oblong, heart) dictate haircut volume distribution, parting placement, and fringe geometry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the title of Maître Artisan in France?

The title of Maître Artisan (Master Artisan) is the highest distinction in French craftsmanship. Conferred by the regional Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat, it is automatically accessible to holders of the Brevet de Maîtrise (BM) who have at least two years of professional practice, certifying both artistic mastery and business leadership.

How does the BM Coiffeur differ from the BP Coiffure?

While the BP Coiffure is a Level 4 (Bac equivalent) state diploma from the Ministry of Education that satisfies the legal threshold to open a salon, the BM Coiffeur is a Level 5 (Bac+2 equivalent) consular diploma from the CMA. The BM emphasizes full business ownership and creation, high-level financial analysis, commercial strategy, apprentice pedagogical supervision, and haute coiffure artistic direction.

What financial competencies does the BM Coiffeur assess?

Within the bloc 'Créer et développer un salon de coiffure', candidates work on reading a balance sheet and an income statement, calculating the working capital requirement (BFR) and net cash position, building an operating budget and a start-up financing plan, determining the hourly cost of a styling station and computing the break-even point (seuil de rentabilité) and the point mort.

What is the role of the Maître d'apprentissage taught in the BM curriculum?

The BM trains salon owners in pedagogical mentoring: welcoming apprentices, structuring a progressive skill progression plan aligned with vocational diploma référentiels, monitoring apprentice logbooks (livret d'apprentissage), providing constructive formative evaluations, and ensuring workplace safety compliance.

How is the Brevet de Maîtrise Coiffeur examination structured?

It is modular. The certification is made up of six blocs de compétences that are validated independently: three professional blocs (relooking transformation of the hair, a complete hairdresser/barber service, artistic and creative hairstyling) and three enterprise blocs (creating and developing a salon, commercialising its services, managing its people). Assessment combines real professional situations on models and on a technical plateau, artistic composition work, problem-solving exercises, written case studies, an entrepreneurial portfolio with an oral analysis, a foreign-language presentation and a simulation of the apprenticeship-supervisor role.