Free Registered Barber Examination — Written Portion Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A Minnesota barbershop reviews several employee duties to decide who falls under OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard. Which situation meets the occupational-exposure threshold?

   1. A. A client has a known infection, although duties involve no blood or other infectious-material contact.
   2. B. The employee's assigned duties reasonably anticipate contact with human blood.
   3. C. A coworker had one unexpected nosebleed, with no employee assigned to assist or clean it.
   4. D. The employee handles used capes, but no contact with blood or infectious fluids is anticipated.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: OSHA defines occupational exposure by reasonably anticipated contact arising from assigned duties. Its barber-shop interpretation says, "In a barber shop, the employer must determine if employees have occupational exposure to blood and OPIM." The described duties meet that condition; a client's diagnosis alone, an isolated unassigned incident, or work without anticipated blood contact does not.

   Reference: OSHA interpretation: Bloodborne Pathogens Standard in a barber shop — Interpretation letter, Nov. 8, 1996, application to barber shops

2. 2During a scalp consultation, which structure should the barber identify as the visible portion of a hair?

   1. A. Hair shaft
   2. B. Hair root
   3. C. Hair follicle
   4. D. Hair bulb

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NIH states, “The part of the hair that is visible above the surface of the skin is the hair shaft.” Therefore, the visible portion is the hair shaft.

   Reference: INTEGUMENTARY - Nursing Fundamentals - NCBI Bookshelf — Hair

3. 3During head analysis, which bone forms the client's lower jaw?

   1. A. Mandible
   2. B. Maxilla
   3. C. Zygoma
   4. D. Occipital bone

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NIH defines the mandible as “The lower jaw in which the lower teeth reside.” Therefore, the mandible is correct.

   Reference: Elements of Morphology: Human Malformation Terminology — Mandible

4. 4Which Minnesota implements may be spray-sanitized as an alternative to required submersion?

   1. A. Clipper blades and shears
   2. B. Combs and hairbrushes
   3. C. Straight razors and combs
   4. D. Hairbrushes and straight razors

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Rule 2100.8100 states, “As an alternative to submersion, clipper blades and shears may be treated by spraying them with a commercial spray.” Thus, only clipper blades and shears have this stated alternative.

   Reference: 2100 - MN Rules Chapter — Minn. R. § 2100.8100, subp. 1

5. 5Which process destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life?

   1. A. Sterilization
   2. B. Cleaning
   3. C. Sanitizing
   4. D. Rinsing

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CDC states, “Sterilization describes a process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life.”

   Reference: Introduction, Methods, Definition of Terms | Infection Control | CDC — Definition of Terms

6. 6A barber is performing a cleansing facial with massage. After cleansing the client's face, which step should occur before the massage movements?

   1. A. Complete the facial with finishing products before applying the towel.
   2. B. Apply and remove a steam towel before beginning the massage.
   3. C. Perform the massage immediately, then use a steam towel afterward.
   4. D. Return to work-area setup before applying or removing the towel.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: NIC lists the sequence as "Cleanses face Steam towel is applied and removed Demonstrates massage". Thus the towel step separates cleansing from massage; finishing and setup occur at other stages, and massage before the towel reverses the stated order.

   Reference: NIC Barber Styling Practical: Cleansing Facial with Massage — Cleansing Facial with Massage, tasks 10.3–10.5

7. 7Which finish is required at the nape of a properly tapered haircut?

   1. A. No blocked line
   2. B. A distinct weight line
   3. C. An unblended shelf
   4. D. Unequal taper lengths

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The official barber practical bulletin requires “a tapered Haircut with no blocked line at the nape.”

   Reference: Nic Barber Practical — Haircutting verbal instructions

8. 8A client wants a beard trim that suits the face but has sparse growth on one cheek. Before settling on a shape, what should the barber do?

   1. A. Set the outline first, then ask what result the client wanted and assess sparse areas.
   2. B. Choose a guard length from current growth, then discuss the desired beard shape.
   3. C. Discuss the desired result and assess the beard and facial features before designing.
   4. D. Assess the face and beard, then commit to an outline before clarifying preferences.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The barber competency directs practitioners to "Discuss client preferences, and expectations of desired finished result" and to "Visually and physically examine and analyse client beard and moustache characteristics and style." It also says to "Evaluate client facial features and bone structure for suitable" designs. The barber should combine the client's goal with beard and facial assessment before choosing the design; the other sequences choose a shape before that assessment.

   Reference: Australian Government SHBHCUT011: Design and maintain beards and moustaches — Elements and Performance Criteria, element 1.2–1.5

9. 9Before every hair-dye application, what safety check does FDA recommend?

   1. A. A skin patch test
   2. B. A tensile test only
   3. C. A porosity test only
   4. D. A shampoo lather test

   Answer: A

   Explanation: FDA's checklist says, “Do a patch test on your skin every time before dyeing your hair.”

   Reference: Hair Dyes | FDA — Coal-tar Hair Dye Safety Checklist

10. 10A Minnesota client asks a barber to treat a diagnosed scalp disease during a service. What must the barber do?

    1. A. Decline to undertake treatment of the disease
    2. B. Proceed after documenting the client's consent
    3. C. Proceed after obtaining a physician's service clearance
    4. D. Proceed if the condition is not communicable

    Answer: A

    Explanation: Minnesota Rule 2100.7900 states, “No barber or student barber shall undertake to treat any disease of the skin.” The requested treatment must be declined regardless of consent, clearance, or communicability.

    Reference: 2100 - MN Rules Chapter — Minn. R. § 2100.7900