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Open free CA Barber Written Exam prep resources ↗Exam facts & prep options
California Barbering Written Examination (Barber Theory Exam — General Portion)
The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology's barber licensing examination: a single computer-based written exam of 95 questions (85 scored, 10 pretest) in 120 minutes, covering eight weighted topics (Safety and Infection Control 31%, Shaving 22%, Client Consultation and Hair and Skin Analysis 15%, Haircutting 8%, Haircoloring 7%, Chemical Texture Services 7%, Hairstyling 5%, Skin Care 5%). The practical exam was eliminated effective January 1, 2022, so candidates pass only this written exam. It is delivered at PSI examination centers in California in English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, or Simplified Chinese, scored against a criterion-referenced standard, and candidates who pass receive their photographic license on-site. The USD 125.00 non-refundable application fee covers examination and initial license.
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Questions95 questions (85 scored, 10 pretest)
Testing time2 hours (120 minutes)
ScoringCriterion-referenced passing standard; no numeric cut score is published. Candidates who pass receive their photographic license on-site; a failure notice shows the candidate's score, a breakdown of subject content areas, and the number of correct answers necessary to pass
Exam feeUSD 125.00 non-refundable application fee covering the examination and initial license, paid to the Board with the barber application; a re-examination application and fee are required for each retake
Prep options
Study resources for CA Barber Written Exam
Independent prep
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Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- BBC
- Category
- Barbering
- Current version
- Current specification; no public version label (Barber Theory Exam General Portion, updated effective 7/1/2022; Candidate Information Bulletin content outline dated April 2026)
- Where it applies
- California, United States
- Exam languages
- English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese
- Testing provider
- PSI Services LLC (contracted by the Board to develop and deliver the examinations)
- Format
- Computer-based written exam at PSI examination centers in California; the practical exam was eliminated effective January 1, 2022 (written exam only for licensure)
- Availability
- Year-round by appointment at PSI examination centers in California; exam sessions are available at least 6 weeks in advance, and candidates must first have their Board application approved and receive the PSI handbook
- Results
- Same-day: candidates who pass the written exam receive their photographic license on-site on the day of the exam
- Remote testing
- Not available
Exam structure
One computer-based written exam of 95 questions (85 scored, 10 pretest) in eight weighted topics: I. Safety and Infection Control 31% (26 items), II. Client Consultation and Hair and Skin Analysis 15% (13), III. Hairstyling 5% (4), IV. Haircutting 8% (7), V. Haircoloring 7% (6), VI. Chemical Texture Services 7% (6), VII. Skin Care 5% (4), VIII. Shaving 22% (19). The practical exam is no longer administered
Where rules vary
California's own barber licensing examination, required for a California barber license; candidates licensed in another state may instead qualify for reciprocity without taking the exam.
Eligibility
Board-approved qualifying training (California approved school or completed apprentice program), at least 17 years old, and 10th-grade education or equivalent; a Board-approved exam application with proof of training must be approved before scheduling
Retake policy
No waiting period or attempt limit: applicants may apply and take the licensing examination as often as needed, but a re-examination application and fee are required for each attempt; missing the appointment or canceling less than 2 days ahead forfeits the examination fee