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Free National Barber Styling Written Practical Examination Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the National Barber Styling Written Practical Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1A barber wants a surface product for the workstation that will kill viruses as well as bacteria. The shop's spray bottle is registered with EPA only as a surface sanitizer. Why is that spray not sufficient for this purpose?

    1. A. Sanitizers kill bacteria on surfaces but are not intended to kill viruses
    2. B. Sanitizers kill viruses on surfaces but are not intended to kill bacteria
    3. C. Sanitizers only remove dirt and organic matter without killing any germs
    4. D. Sanitizers are regulated by FDA and are not registered for hard surfaces

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA explains that "Sanitizing kills bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not intended to kill viruses." By contrast, "Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals." A product registered only as a sanitizer therefore does not meet the barber's goal of killing viruses; a disinfectant is needed. Removing dirt describes cleaning, and the FDA regulates hand sanitizers, not surface sanitizers.

    Reference: What's the difference between products that disinfect, sanitize, and clean surfaces? (EPA) — Sanitizing and Disinfecting sections

  2. 2A barber is buying a hand-held blow dryer and wants a model that protects against electrocution if it falls into water. According to CPSC, how can such dryers be identified?

    1. A. By a polarized plug with one blade wider than the other blade
    2. B. By a three-prong plug with a grounding pin at the end of the cord
    3. C. By a rectangular plug with a reset button at the end of the cord
    4. D. By a coiled cord with an inline on-off switch near the handle

    Answer: C

    Explanation: CPSC reported that dryers offering immersion protection with the switch on or off "can be identified by the rectangular-shaped plugs with a 'reset' button at the end of the cords." A grounding pin, a polarized plug, or an inline switch does not identify this immersion protection feature.

    Reference: Some New Hair Dryers Offer Improved Electrocution Protection When Immersed In Water (CPSC) — News release, first paragraph

  3. 3During a scalp analysis, a barber sees no crawling lice but finds a few nits attached more than 1/4 inch from the base of the hair shafts. According to CDC, what do these nits most likely indicate?

    1. A. They are freshly laid eggs from an active infestation
    2. B. They are almost always already hatched or dead
    3. C. They are eggs that will hatch within the next 6 to 9 days
    4. D. They are nymphs that will mature into adults in about a week

    Answer: B

    Explanation: CDC states: "Nits that are attached more than ¼ inch from the base of the hair shaft are almost always hatched or dead." Active infestation is suggested by "nits attached firmly within ¼ inch of the base of hair shafts." The 6 to 9 day hatching period applies to viable nits, and nymphs are young lice, not eggs.

    Reference: About Head Lice (CDC) — Diagnosis

  4. 4During a facial skin analysis, a barber sees a clogged pore whose plug has a dark top. According to MedlinePlus, what is this called?

    1. A. A pustule
    2. B. A whitehead
    3. C. A blackhead
    4. D. A cyst

    Answer: C

    Explanation: MedlinePlus explains that "The blockage is called a plug or comedone. If the top of the plug is white, it is called a whitehead. It is called a blackhead if the top of the plug is dark." Pustules contain pus, and cysts are deeper, hard lesions.

    Reference: Acne - MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (NLM) — Causes

  5. 5A barber reads that a liquid product for implements eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects. According to CDC definitions, what separates this disinfection process from sterilization?

    1. A. Disinfection is used on living skin, while sterilization is used on implements
    2. B. Disinfection is not sporicidal, while sterilization destroys all microbial life
    3. C. Disinfection removes visible soil, while sterilization kills the remaining germs
    4. D. Disinfection kills only bacteria, while sterilization also kills viruses and fungi

    Answer: B

    Explanation: CDC defines sterilization as "a process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life" and disinfection as "a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects," adding "Unlike sterilization, disinfection is not sporicidal." Products applied to living skin are antiseptics, and removing visible soil is cleaning, so those options describe different processes.

    Reference: Introduction, Methods, Definition of Terms - Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (CDC) — Definition of Terms - Sterilization and Disinfection paragraphs

  6. 6After a haircut, a barber clears the station using NIC's three labeled disposal containers. Where should a used cloth towel be placed?

    1. A. Back in the closed supply kit for storage
    2. B. In the container labeled To be disinfected
    3. C. In the container labeled Trash
    4. D. In the container labeled Soiled linens

    Answer: D

    Explanation: NIC requires barbers to sort used materials into a "Container labeled ‘Soiled linens’" along with containers for items to be disinfected and trash, and evaluates whether the candidate "Places items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash in correct containers throughout section". A used cloth towel is linen to be laundered, not an implement to disinfect or a disposable item. NIC also states that "nothing may be returned to the kit" once removed.

    Reference: National Barber Styling Practical Examination CIB (NIC) — Special Attention - required disposal containers

  7. 7During hair and scalp analysis, a barber notices flaky, white to yellowish scales on the oily areas of the client's scalp and in the eyebrows. Which condition does MedlinePlus describe with this appearance?

    1. A. Tinea capitis
    2. B. Scalp psoriasis
    3. C. Seborrheic dermatitis
    4. D. Impetigo

    Answer: C

    Explanation: MedlinePlus describes seborrheic dermatitis as a condition that "causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp, face, or inside the ear." and notes "Common areas include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, creases of the nose, lips, behind the ears, in the outer ear, and middle of the chest." Psoriasis typically shows thick red patches with silvery scales, tinea capitis causes scaly patches with broken hairs, and impetigo produces crusted blisters.

    Reference: Seborrheic dermatitis - MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (NLM) — Overview

  8. 8During skin evaluation, a client shows persistent facial redness, many spider-like blood vessels, a red nose, and acne-like sores. Which condition does MedlinePlus describe with these signs?

    1. A. Impetigo
    2. B. Acne vulgaris
    3. C. Seborrheic dermatitis
    4. D. Rosacea

    Answer: D

    Explanation: MedlinePlus states: "Rosacea is a chronic skin problem that makes your face turn red. It may also cause swelling and skin sores that look like acne." Its listed symptoms include "A lot of spider-like blood vessels (telangiectasia) of the face" and "Red nose (may also be bulbous in appearance)". The acne-like sores do not make it acne vulgaris.

    Reference: Rosacea - MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (NLM) — Overview

  9. 9Before placing a used comb in disinfectant, a barber scrubs off hair, scalp debris, and styling product. According to CDC guidance, why must this cleaning step come first?

    1. A. A precleaned comb can skip the contact time printed on the disinfectant label
    2. B. Scrubbing kills the bacterial spores that the disinfectant itself cannot destroy
    3. C. Remaining organic and inorganic material limits how well the disinfectant works
    4. D. Scrubbing neutralizes old disinfectant residue so it will not irritate the skin

    Answer: C

    Explanation: CDC lists the factors that reduce germicide performance: "Factors that affect the efficacy of both disinfection and sterilization include prior cleaning of the object; organic and inorganic load present". EPA likewise directs users to "wash the surface with soap and water if the directions mention pre-cleaning or if the surface is visibly dirty." Cleaning removes soil but does not kill spores or replace the labeled contact time.

    Reference: Introduction, Methods, Definition of Terms - Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (CDC) — Definition of Terms - factors affecting efficacy

  10. 10Towels and a cape were used on a client who was later found to have head lice. According to CDC, at what water temperature should these items be machine washed?

    1. A. 130°F
    2. B. 100°F
    3. C. 110°F
    4. D. 122°F

    Answer: A

    Explanation: CDC advises machine washing items an infested person used and directs: "Use the hot water (130°F) laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle." The 122°F figure is CDC's mite-killing temperature for scabies laundering, and the lower temperatures are not CDC's head lice guidance.

    Reference: About Head Lice (CDC) — Prevention and control

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for National Barber Styling Written Practical Examination. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • Scientific Concepts (20% of items)
    • Infection control and safety practices — Apply principles of infection control: Sanitation/Cleansing; Disinfection; Sterilization; Contamination and cross-contamination
    • Infection control and safety practices — Apply blood exposure procedures
    • Basic chemistry of products used in barbering — Understand purpose and effects of products, ingredients, and their interactions
    • Basic chemistry of products used in barbering — Understand interactions among chemicals
    • Basic chemistry of products used in barbering — Understand chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn, inhalation)
  • Implements and Equipment Used in Barbering (20% of items)
    • Identify function, purpose, and care of tools used in hair services: Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation); Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes); Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drape, neck strips); Electrical tools (e.g. clippers, blow dryers)
    • Understand and apply safety and sanitation practices for use of implements and equipment
  • Hair Care Services (40% of items)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services — Analyze condition of client’s hair and scalp (i.e., assessment)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services — Determine services and/or products
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services — Document and maintain client records for hair services (e.g., consultation card, service history, medical history)
    • Hair care — Apply knowledge of draping (e.g., chemical, shampoo, hair cutting)
    • Hair care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for shampooing and conditioning
    • Hair care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for scalp treatments and scalp massage/manipulation
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety of haircutting: Shaping; Outlining; Neck shave
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair styling: Wet styling; Blowdry styling; Thermal styling; Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding, locks)
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety of hair enhancements
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of preparation, procedures, and safety for head shaving
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Understand preliminary tests (e.g., purposes, uses, applications): Predisposition; Strand test
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Hair coloring (including facial hair)
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Hair lightening
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Foiling
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Hydroxide; Thio; Keratin
    • Hair design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services — Chemical waving/texturizing: Alkaline; Acid; Non-thio
  • Facial Hair and Skin Care Services (20% of items)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services — Evaluate client’s skin (e.g., type, condition)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services — Identify contraindications: Disorders; Diseases
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services — Determine services and/or products
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services — Document and maintain client records for facial hair services (e.g., consultation card, service history, medical history)
    • Apply knowledge of draping for facial hair and skin care services
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for facial hair and skin care services — Complete shave service with required strokes
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for facial hair and skin care services — Facial hair design
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for facial hair and skin care services — Facial (e.g., cleansing, steam towel massage)

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These are independent study questions, not actual examination items. For examination requirements and official information, view National Barber Styling Written Practical Examination details.