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Free Practice Questions for IL Barber

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Sample IL Barber Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the IL Barber exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 232+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many training hours are required for a barber license in Illinois?
A.1,000 hours
B.1,200 hours
C.1,500 hours
D.2,000 hours
Explanation: Illinois requires 1,500 hours of barber training from an approved barber school. The 1,500-hour requirement is typically completed in about 12 months of full-time study. This training covers haircutting, shaving, sanitation, barbering theory, and state law.
2Which state agency oversees barber licensing in Illinois?
A.Illinois Department of Health
B.Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
C.Illinois Board of Education
D.Illinois Department of Labor
Explanation: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees all barber licensing in Illinois. IDFPR is located at 320 W. Washington St., 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786.
3Is there a practical examination for barbers in Illinois?
A.Yes, both written and practical exams are required
B.No, Illinois only requires a written (computer-based) examination
C.Yes, only a practical exam is required
D.Neither written nor practical exams are required
Explanation: Illinois is notable for not requiring a practical examination for barbers. The examination is a computer-based, multiple-choice written test. This differs from many states that require both written and practical exams.
4Which testing service administers the Illinois barber licensing examination?
A.PSI Services
B.NIC (National Interstate Council)
C.Continental Testing Services (CTS)
D.Prometric
Explanation: Illinois uses Continental Testing Services (CTS) to administer the barber licensing examination. This is unusual, as most states use PSI or NIC for their barbering exams.
5When do Illinois barber licenses expire?
A.December 31 of even-numbered years
B.June 30 of every year
C.July 31 of odd-numbered years
D.On the licensee's birthday
Explanation: Illinois barber licenses expire on July 31 of odd-numbered years. Barbers must complete the renewal process, including any required CE and fee payment, before this date to avoid late penalties or license lapse.
6How many additional barbering instruction hours does a licensed Illinois cosmetologist need to obtain a barber license?
A.250 hours
B.500 hours
C.750 hours
D.1,000 hours
Explanation: In Illinois, a cosmetologist with 1,500 hours of cosmetology training may only need 500 additional hours of barbering instruction to qualify for a barber license. This crossover pathway recognizes overlapping skills between the two professions.
7What is the minimum age to apply for a barber license in Illinois?
A.16 years old
B.17 years old
C.18 years old
D.21 years old
Explanation: Illinois requires barber applicants to be at least 16 years old. This is one of the lower age requirements among states. Applicants must also have completed training at an approved barber school.
8Under the Illinois Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding and Nail Technology Act, what services can a licensed barber perform?
A.Only haircutting
B.Haircutting, shaving, facial treatments, and hair coloring
C.Only shaving and facial treatments
D.All cosmetology services
Explanation: Under Illinois law (225 ILCS 410), a licensed barber can perform haircutting, shaving, beard trimming, facial treatments, scalp treatments, and hair coloring. The scope of practice is defined in the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding and Nail Technology Act.
9What must be prominently displayed in an Illinois barbershop?
A.Only the shop's business license
B.Each barber's current license and the shop's establishment license
C.Only the shop owner's photo
D.A list of services and prices
Explanation: Illinois law requires that each barber's current license and the barbershop's establishment license be prominently displayed where clients can easily see them. This allows clients to verify that all practitioners and the shop are properly licensed.
10What is the renewal cycle for Illinois barber licenses?
A.Annual
B.Every 2 years (biennial, on odd-numbered years)
C.Every 3 years
D.Every 4 years
Explanation: Illinois barber licenses are renewed every 2 years (biennially), expiring on July 31 of odd-numbered years. Barbers must complete all renewal requirements, including any continuing education, before the expiration date.

About the IL Barber Exam

The Illinois Licensed Barber theory exam (effective October 1, 2026) has 95 multiple-choice questions, 85 scored and 10 unscored pretest, in 2 hours. It covers safety and infection control, client consultation and hair and skin analysis, hairstyling, haircutting, haircoloring, chemical texture services, skin care, and shaving.

Exam sponsor: Continental Testing Services (CTS) for IDFPR; delivered at PSI test centers. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

95 questions

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes)

Passing Score

75 or higher

Exam / Certification Fees

$112 (CTS computerized exam fee)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: ~65-75%. estimated first-time pass rate This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. 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.

31%

Safety and Infection Control

26 items: infection control procedures, cleaning and disinfection, exposure incidents, SDS, federal safety rules, ventilation, and electrical safety

15%

Client Consultation and Hair and Skin Analysis

13 items: intake and consent, contraindications, hair and skin structure and analysis, patch tests, and hair, scalp, and skin disorders

5%

Hairstyling

4 items: textured hairstyling, hair additions, blowdrying, thermal curling, and thermal tool precautions

8%

Haircutting

7 items: cutting procedures for different hair types and safe use of shears, razors, clippers, and trimmers

7%

Haircoloring

6 items: color application including facial hair, strand tests, mixing safety, lighteners, and color theory

7%

Chemical Texture Services

6 items: relaxers, texturizers, and permanent waving on virgin and chemically treated hair

5%

Skin Care

4 items: facial massage, skin care products, scalp treatments, exfoliation, hot towels, and skin care devices

22%

Shaving

19 items: shaving contraindications and safety, razor handling, lather and bracer, the four shaving strokes, tool maintenance, and blade disposal

Preparing for the IL Barber Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75 or higher
  • Exam length: 95 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours (120 minutes)
  • Exam / certification fees: $112 (CTS computerized exam fee) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 232 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Illinois barber exam?

Under the CTS/PSI candidate guide effective October 1, 2026, the Illinois barber theory exam has 95 multiple-choice questions: 85 scored and 10 unscored pretest questions, with a 2-hour (120-minute) time limit.

What score do I need to pass?

You need a score of 75 or higher. You get a preliminary score report at the PSI test center, and CTS sends the official score report one to two weeks after the test.

Is the barber exam different from the cosmetology exam?

Yes. Barber exams focus on haircutting, shaving, and facial hair services. Cosmetology covers a broader range including nails and skin care.