TEXAS CLASS A BARBER STATE
BOARD WRITTEN EXAM PREP:
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES (6TH EDITION,
2026 UPDATE)
Q1: What is the highest level of decontamination?
A) Sanitizing
B) Disinfecting
C) Sterilization
D) Cleaning
Answer: C) Sterilization
Rationale: Sterilization is the highest level of decontamination as it
destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores . Disinfection only
destroys most pathogens but not all spores, and sanitizing is the lowest
level .
Q2: The chemical process for reducing the number of disease-causing
germs on cleaned surfaces is called:
A) Sterilization
B) Sanitizing
,C) Disinfection
D) Decontamination
Answer: B) Sanitizing
Rationale: Sanitizing is the process of reducing the number of disease-
causing germs on cleaned surfaces to safe levels. It is the minimum level
required for most barbershop surfaces .
Q3: Bacteria divide into two cells during which stage?
A) Spore stage
B) Binary stage
C) Active stage
D) Parasitic stage
Answer: B) Binary stage
Rationale: Binary fission is the process by which bacteria divide into two
identical cells. This is how bacteria reproduce and multiply .
Q4: Which type of bacteria is capable of producing a protective
coating around themselves?
A) Bacilli
B) Spirilla
C) Bacterial spores
D) Cocci
Answer: C) Bacterial spores
Rationale: Some bacteria can form spores—a protective coating that
allows them to survive harsh conditions. This is why sterilization is required,
as spores are resistant to disinfection .
,Q5: What is the technical term for ringworm?
A) Pediculosis
B) Tinea
C) Psoriasis
D) Eczema
Answer: B) Tinea
Rationale: Tinea is the medical term for ringworm, a fungal infection that
can affect the scalp (tinea capitis), skin, or nails. Barbers should not service
clients with visible ringworm .
Q6: When a barber sees a client with ringworm, they should:
A) Service the client with extra gloves
B) Not service the client
C) Treat the condition first
D) Refer to another barber
Answer: B) Not service the client
Rationale: Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection. Barbers must
refuse service to clients with visible signs of ringworm to prevent spread of
infection in the shop .
Q7: Uncovered sneezing in the barbershop can:
A) Cause allergic reactions
B) Spread disease
C) Only affect the barber
D) Be harmless
Answer: B) Spread disease
, Rationale: Uncovered sneezing releases respiratory droplets that can
spread pathogens throughout the barbershop. This is a violation of
infection control protocols .
Q8: What is immunity?
A) The body's ability to resist infection
B) A type of bacteria
C) A skin disorder
D) A sterilization method
Answer: A) The body's ability to resist infection
Rationale: Immunity is the body's natural or acquired ability to resist and
fight off infections and diseases .
Q9: How often should a bleach cleaning solution be mixed?
A) Every 12 hours
B) Every 24 hours
C) Every 48 hours
D) Once a week
Answer: B) Every 24 hours
Rationale: Bleach solutions must be mixed fresh every 24 hours or when
the solution becomes contaminated, as it loses its effectiveness over time .
Q10: To be effective, the contact time for a 10% sodium hypochlorite
solution is:
A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 15 minutes
D) 20 minutes
BOARD WRITTEN EXAM PREP:
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES (6TH EDITION,
2026 UPDATE)
Q1: What is the highest level of decontamination?
A) Sanitizing
B) Disinfecting
C) Sterilization
D) Cleaning
Answer: C) Sterilization
Rationale: Sterilization is the highest level of decontamination as it
destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores . Disinfection only
destroys most pathogens but not all spores, and sanitizing is the lowest
level .
Q2: The chemical process for reducing the number of disease-causing
germs on cleaned surfaces is called:
A) Sterilization
B) Sanitizing
,C) Disinfection
D) Decontamination
Answer: B) Sanitizing
Rationale: Sanitizing is the process of reducing the number of disease-
causing germs on cleaned surfaces to safe levels. It is the minimum level
required for most barbershop surfaces .
Q3: Bacteria divide into two cells during which stage?
A) Spore stage
B) Binary stage
C) Active stage
D) Parasitic stage
Answer: B) Binary stage
Rationale: Binary fission is the process by which bacteria divide into two
identical cells. This is how bacteria reproduce and multiply .
Q4: Which type of bacteria is capable of producing a protective
coating around themselves?
A) Bacilli
B) Spirilla
C) Bacterial spores
D) Cocci
Answer: C) Bacterial spores
Rationale: Some bacteria can form spores—a protective coating that
allows them to survive harsh conditions. This is why sterilization is required,
as spores are resistant to disinfection .
,Q5: What is the technical term for ringworm?
A) Pediculosis
B) Tinea
C) Psoriasis
D) Eczema
Answer: B) Tinea
Rationale: Tinea is the medical term for ringworm, a fungal infection that
can affect the scalp (tinea capitis), skin, or nails. Barbers should not service
clients with visible ringworm .
Q6: When a barber sees a client with ringworm, they should:
A) Service the client with extra gloves
B) Not service the client
C) Treat the condition first
D) Refer to another barber
Answer: B) Not service the client
Rationale: Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection. Barbers must
refuse service to clients with visible signs of ringworm to prevent spread of
infection in the shop .
Q7: Uncovered sneezing in the barbershop can:
A) Cause allergic reactions
B) Spread disease
C) Only affect the barber
D) Be harmless
Answer: B) Spread disease
, Rationale: Uncovered sneezing releases respiratory droplets that can
spread pathogens throughout the barbershop. This is a violation of
infection control protocols .
Q8: What is immunity?
A) The body's ability to resist infection
B) A type of bacteria
C) A skin disorder
D) A sterilization method
Answer: A) The body's ability to resist infection
Rationale: Immunity is the body's natural or acquired ability to resist and
fight off infections and diseases .
Q9: How often should a bleach cleaning solution be mixed?
A) Every 12 hours
B) Every 24 hours
C) Every 48 hours
D) Once a week
Answer: B) Every 24 hours
Rationale: Bleach solutions must be mixed fresh every 24 hours or when
the solution becomes contaminated, as it loses its effectiveness over time .
Q10: To be effective, the contact time for a 10% sodium hypochlorite
solution is:
A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 15 minutes
D) 20 minutes
