Free Practice Questions for TN Natural Hair Stylist

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Exam Review

Key Facts: TN Natural Hair Stylist Exam

300 hrs

Training Required

TN Board of Cosmetology

$134

PSI Exam Fee

TN CIB

$60

License Fee

TN Department of Commerce

Written + Practical

Exam Format

PSI

Minimum Age

Tenn Code 62-4

2 yrs

License Renewal

TN Board

The TN Natural Hair Stylist exam requires 300 hours of training and has a 50-question theory exam (1 hour 15 minutes) covering braids and braid extensions (40%), hair styling (25%), sanitation (15%), shampooing and conditioning (10%), and licensing (10%), plus a 2-hour practical; each portion needs 70% to pass. PSI charges $67 per portion, plus a $60 license fee. The license allows non-chemical natural hair services including braiding, twisting, locking, and weaving.

Sample TN Natural Hair Stylist Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the TN Natural Hair Stylist exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the outermost layer of the hair shaft called?

A.Medulla

B.Cortex

C.Cuticle

D.Follicle

Explanation: The cuticle is the tough outer layer made of overlapping scale-like cells that protect the inner hair structure. A healthy, flat cuticle reflects light and prevents moisture loss — critical for textured hair styling.

2Which hair type classification (Andre Walker system) describes tight, springy coils with a small diameter?

A.Type 1

B.Type 2

C.Type 3

D.Type 4

Explanation: Type 4 hair in the Andre Walker system is tightly coiled with the smallest curl diameter. Type 4 is subdivided into 4A (S-pattern coils), 4B (Z-pattern), and 4C (tightest, most fragile). Most TN Natural Hair Stylist clients have Type 3 or 4 hair.

3Which layer of the hair gives it pigment and strength?

A.Cortex

B.Medulla

C.Dermal papilla

D.Cuticle

Explanation: The cortex is the middle layer that contains melanin (pigment) and keratin fibers, giving hair its color, strength, and elasticity. About 90% of the hair's weight is in the cortex.

4What is the active growing phase of the hair cycle called?

A.Catagen

B.Telogen

C.Anagen

D.Exogen

Explanation: Anagen is the active growth phase, lasting 2–7 years. Catagen is the transitional phase (~2 weeks), telogen is the resting phase (~3 months), and exogen is shedding. About 85–90% of scalp hairs are in anagen at any time.

5Hair porosity refers to:

A.The hair's ability to absorb moisture

B.The number of hairs per square inch

C.The thickness of individual strands

D.The hair's natural color

Explanation: Porosity describes how easily hair absorbs and retains moisture, determined by the cuticle layer. Low-porosity hair resists moisture (tight cuticle); high-porosity hair absorbs quickly but loses moisture fast (raised/damaged cuticle). Porosity guides product selection for natural hair.

6What does hair density measure?

A.Number of hairs per square inch of scalp

B.Length of the hair

C.Curl tightness

D.Diameter of a single strand

Explanation: Density is the number of individual hair strands per square inch of scalp — low, medium, or high. Density differs from texture (strand diameter) and affects how thick braids look and how much extension hair is needed.

7Which hair texture describes the diameter of an individual strand?

A.Fine, medium, coarse

B.Type 1, 2, 3, 4

C.Low, medium, high porosity

D.Anagen, catagen, telogen

Explanation: Texture refers to strand diameter — fine, medium, or coarse. Coarse hair has the largest diameter and is most resistant to chemical penetration; fine hair has the smallest diameter and tangles more easily. Texture is independent of curl pattern.

8Type 4C hair is characterized by:

A.Loose S-shaped waves

B.Spiral curls with defined ringlets

C.Tightly packed Z-pattern coils with minimal visible curl pattern

D.Straight, fine texture

Explanation: Type 4C hair has the tightest curl pattern, forming a zig-zag (Z-pattern) with little to no defined curl. It has high shrinkage (up to 75%), is the most fragile, and benefits from low-manipulation natural styles like twists, braids, and locs.

9The dermal papilla supplies what to the hair follicle?

A.Blood and nutrients

B.Sebum

C.Keratin

D.Pigment

Explanation: The dermal papilla is a cone-shaped structure at the base of the follicle filled with capillaries that supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the growing hair. Damage to the papilla can permanently end hair growth from that follicle.

10Sebum is produced by which gland?

A.Sebaceous gland

B.Pituitary gland

C.Endocrine gland

D.Sweat gland

Explanation: Sebum, the natural oil that lubricates hair and scalp, is produced by sebaceous (oil) glands attached to each hair follicle. Coily hair texture makes it harder for sebum to travel down the shaft, which is why natural hair tends to be drier than straight hair.

About the TN Natural Hair Stylist Exam

The Tennessee Natural Hair Stylist Examination is administered by PSI on behalf of the TN Department of Commerce & Insurance, Board of Cosmetology & Barber Examiners. It tests natural hair styling skills including braiding, twisting, locking, weaving, sanitation, scalp conditions, and Tennessee law. Candidates must complete 300 hours of training at a TN-licensed school. The exam includes both a written and a practical portion.

Exam sponsor: PSI / TN Board of Cosmetology & Barber Examiners. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

50 questions

Time Limit

1 hour 15 minutes (theory); 2 hours (practical)

Passing Score

70% (theory and practical)

Exam / Certification Fees

$134 ($67 theory + $67 practical)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. TN Board does not publish Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

15%

Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety

Cleaning and disinfecting implements, equipment, and the work environment; sanitary and safety procedures and pathogens

10%

Shampooing and Conditioning Hair

Shampooing and scalp massage; conditioning

25%

Hair Styling

Communicating with the client, evaluating hair, styling hair, and human physiology

40%

Braids and Braid Extensions

Evaluating hair and scalp, applying and removing extensions, and braiding

10%

Licensing

Licensure requirements and duties, renewal, Board responsibilities and discipline, displaying the license, salon owner and manager duties, and changes of address or ownership

Preparing for the TN Natural Hair Stylist Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70% (theory and practical)
Exam length: 50 questions
Time limit: 1 hour 15 minutes (theory); 2 hours (practical)
Exam / certification fees: $134 ($67 theory + $67 practical) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 200 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TN Natural Hair Stylist: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master TN Board disinfection rules — sanitation appears throughout the written and practical exams

2Practice the timed cornrow and freefall, visible and invisible braid, braid extension, and sew-in extension tasks on a mannequin for the practical

3Memorize the 300-hour scope: no chemicals, no cutting beyond what is incidental to styling

4Know the difference between traction alopecia and androgenetic alopecia for scalp questions

5Review Tenn Code 62-4 and TN Board rules on sanitation, supervision, and license display

Frequently Asked Questions

How many training hours does Tennessee require for a Natural Hair Stylist license?

Tennessee requires 300 hours of natural hair styling training at a TN-licensed cosmetology or natural hair stylist school. This is far less than the 1,500 hours required for a full cosmetology license.

What does the TN Natural Hair Stylist license allow you to do?

The license permits non-chemical natural hair styling: braiding, twisting, locking, weaving, extensions, wrapping, and shampooing. Chemical services such as relaxers, perms, and color require a full cosmetology license.

How much does the TN Natural Hair Stylist exam cost?

PSI charges $67 for the theory portion and $67 for the practical portion, and the TN initial license application fee is $60, for a total of about $194 to be licensed. Retake fees apply if you fail a portion.

Free Practice Questions for TN Natural Hair Stylist

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