TEXAS BARBER STATE BOARD EXAM 2026/2027 |
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) | EXAM PREP | LATEST EXAM GUIDE
2026&2027
1. Before beginning a haircut, a barber notices a client has a visibly inflamed, open lesion
on the scalp. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Cover the lesion and continue the haircut
B. Apply antiseptic and proceed
C. Avoid the affected area and complete the service
D. Decline the service and recommend appropriate medical evaluation
Answer: D
An open, inflamed lesion may indicate a condition that could worsen or create a sanitation
risk. The barber should not perform a service over or around a potentially infectious or
medically significant lesion and should recommend appropriate professional evaluation.
2. Which practice is most effective for preventing cross-contamination between clients?
A. Disinfecting reusable implements after each client according to product directions
B. Wiping implements with a dry towel
C. Storing used implements in a closed drawer
D. Rinsing implements briefly under water
Answer: A
Proper cleaning followed by appropriate disinfection of reusable implements is essential for
controlling microorganisms and preventing cross-contamination.
3. A barber accidentally nicks a client's skin during a shave. What should the barber do
first?
A. Continue shaving and treat the area afterward
B. Stop the service and follow the required blood-exposure procedure
C. Wipe the area with a dry towel
D. Apply aftershave immediately
Answer: B
When blood is present, the service should stop and the barber should follow established
blood-exposure and sanitation procedures before resuming or completing the service.
,4. Which implement should normally be cleaned before it is disinfected?
A. A clean cape
B. A disposable neck strip
C. A reusable comb containing hair and product residue
D. A sealed package of disposable towels
Answer: C
Cleaning removes visible hair, debris, oils, and product residue so that the subsequent
disinfection process can work effectively.
5. A barber is preparing disinfectant for reusable implements. Which approach is safest?
A. Mix it stronger than recommended
B. Add fragrance to improve the odor
C. Follow the manufacturer's labeled concentration and contact time
D. Dilute it until there is no chemical smell
Answer: C
Disinfectants must be prepared and used according to their manufacturer's directions,
including the required concentration and contact time.
6. Which item is generally intended for single use and should not be reused on another
client?
A. Disposable neck strip
B. Metal shear
C. Stainless-steel comb
D. Reusable clipper guard
Answer: A
Disposable neck strips are designed for one client and should be discarded after use to reduce
contamination risks.
7. A client asks why the barber is using a clean towel rather than one that appears unused
from the previous client. What is the best response?
A. Used towels are always acceptable if they look clean
B. Freshly laundered towels help maintain proper hygiene between clients
C. Towels only need to be changed once each day
D. Towels are changed only when visibly stained
Answer: B
,Freshly laundered towels help prevent transfer of microorganisms and maintain appropriate
sanitation standards.
8. What is the primary purpose of a neck strip placed beneath a haircutting cape?
A. To improve the cape's appearance
B. To prevent hair and the cape from contacting the client's neck directly
C. To keep the client warm
D. To hold the cape tightly around the shoulders
Answer: B
A neck strip creates a hygienic barrier between the client's skin and the reusable cape.
9. Which condition should cause a barber to postpone a service when it presents a
significant infection or transmission concern?
A. Mildly dry hair
B. Naturally curly hair
C. Suspected contagious scalp infection
D. Split ends
Answer: C
A suspected contagious infection presents a potential health risk and should be handled
according to applicable sanitation and professional requirements.
10. A disinfectant container becomes contaminated with hair and debris. What should the
barber do?
A. Add more disinfectant
B. Remove the debris and continue using it without further action
C. Replace or properly clean the container according to manufacturer and sanitation procedures
D. Cover the container
Answer: C
Visible contamination can compromise sanitation procedures. The container should be
properly cleaned or replaced according to applicable instructions.
11. What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene before and after client services?
A. To improve grip on implements
B. To reduce transmission of microorganisms
C. To prevent hair from sticking to the hands
D. To improve the barber's appearance
, Answer: B
Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection-control measure that reduces the transfer of
microorganisms between the barber, client, and equipment.
12. A barber drops a comb on the floor during a service. What should happen next?
A. Wipe it on a towel and reuse it
B. Rinse it quickly and continue
C. Place it back on the workstation
D. Remove it from service and properly clean and disinfect it before reuse
Answer: D
An implement that contacts the floor is contaminated and must be removed from active use
until it has been properly cleaned and disinfected.
13. Which statement best describes cleaning?
A. Removing visible debris and contaminants from an item
B. Killing every microorganism on an item
C. Sterilizing all equipment
D. Applying fragrance to an implement
Answer: A
Cleaning physically removes visible soil and debris and is an important step before
appropriate disinfection.
14. Which statement best describes disinfection?
A. Removing hair from the workstation
B. Laundering towels
C. Using an appropriate chemical or process to destroy many disease-causing microorganisms on
suitable surfaces
D. Washing hands with water only
Answer: C
Disinfection reduces microorganisms on appropriate nonporous surfaces when the product is
used according to its directions.
15. A barber finishes using a pair of shears on a client. What should happen before the
shears are stored for later use?
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) | EXAM PREP | LATEST EXAM GUIDE
2026&2027
1. Before beginning a haircut, a barber notices a client has a visibly inflamed, open lesion
on the scalp. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Cover the lesion and continue the haircut
B. Apply antiseptic and proceed
C. Avoid the affected area and complete the service
D. Decline the service and recommend appropriate medical evaluation
Answer: D
An open, inflamed lesion may indicate a condition that could worsen or create a sanitation
risk. The barber should not perform a service over or around a potentially infectious or
medically significant lesion and should recommend appropriate professional evaluation.
2. Which practice is most effective for preventing cross-contamination between clients?
A. Disinfecting reusable implements after each client according to product directions
B. Wiping implements with a dry towel
C. Storing used implements in a closed drawer
D. Rinsing implements briefly under water
Answer: A
Proper cleaning followed by appropriate disinfection of reusable implements is essential for
controlling microorganisms and preventing cross-contamination.
3. A barber accidentally nicks a client's skin during a shave. What should the barber do
first?
A. Continue shaving and treat the area afterward
B. Stop the service and follow the required blood-exposure procedure
C. Wipe the area with a dry towel
D. Apply aftershave immediately
Answer: B
When blood is present, the service should stop and the barber should follow established
blood-exposure and sanitation procedures before resuming or completing the service.
,4. Which implement should normally be cleaned before it is disinfected?
A. A clean cape
B. A disposable neck strip
C. A reusable comb containing hair and product residue
D. A sealed package of disposable towels
Answer: C
Cleaning removes visible hair, debris, oils, and product residue so that the subsequent
disinfection process can work effectively.
5. A barber is preparing disinfectant for reusable implements. Which approach is safest?
A. Mix it stronger than recommended
B. Add fragrance to improve the odor
C. Follow the manufacturer's labeled concentration and contact time
D. Dilute it until there is no chemical smell
Answer: C
Disinfectants must be prepared and used according to their manufacturer's directions,
including the required concentration and contact time.
6. Which item is generally intended for single use and should not be reused on another
client?
A. Disposable neck strip
B. Metal shear
C. Stainless-steel comb
D. Reusable clipper guard
Answer: A
Disposable neck strips are designed for one client and should be discarded after use to reduce
contamination risks.
7. A client asks why the barber is using a clean towel rather than one that appears unused
from the previous client. What is the best response?
A. Used towels are always acceptable if they look clean
B. Freshly laundered towels help maintain proper hygiene between clients
C. Towels only need to be changed once each day
D. Towels are changed only when visibly stained
Answer: B
,Freshly laundered towels help prevent transfer of microorganisms and maintain appropriate
sanitation standards.
8. What is the primary purpose of a neck strip placed beneath a haircutting cape?
A. To improve the cape's appearance
B. To prevent hair and the cape from contacting the client's neck directly
C. To keep the client warm
D. To hold the cape tightly around the shoulders
Answer: B
A neck strip creates a hygienic barrier between the client's skin and the reusable cape.
9. Which condition should cause a barber to postpone a service when it presents a
significant infection or transmission concern?
A. Mildly dry hair
B. Naturally curly hair
C. Suspected contagious scalp infection
D. Split ends
Answer: C
A suspected contagious infection presents a potential health risk and should be handled
according to applicable sanitation and professional requirements.
10. A disinfectant container becomes contaminated with hair and debris. What should the
barber do?
A. Add more disinfectant
B. Remove the debris and continue using it without further action
C. Replace or properly clean the container according to manufacturer and sanitation procedures
D. Cover the container
Answer: C
Visible contamination can compromise sanitation procedures. The container should be
properly cleaned or replaced according to applicable instructions.
11. What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene before and after client services?
A. To improve grip on implements
B. To reduce transmission of microorganisms
C. To prevent hair from sticking to the hands
D. To improve the barber's appearance
, Answer: B
Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection-control measure that reduces the transfer of
microorganisms between the barber, client, and equipment.
12. A barber drops a comb on the floor during a service. What should happen next?
A. Wipe it on a towel and reuse it
B. Rinse it quickly and continue
C. Place it back on the workstation
D. Remove it from service and properly clean and disinfect it before reuse
Answer: D
An implement that contacts the floor is contaminated and must be removed from active use
until it has been properly cleaned and disinfected.
13. Which statement best describes cleaning?
A. Removing visible debris and contaminants from an item
B. Killing every microorganism on an item
C. Sterilizing all equipment
D. Applying fragrance to an implement
Answer: A
Cleaning physically removes visible soil and debris and is an important step before
appropriate disinfection.
14. Which statement best describes disinfection?
A. Removing hair from the workstation
B. Laundering towels
C. Using an appropriate chemical or process to destroy many disease-causing microorganisms on
suitable surfaces
D. Washing hands with water only
Answer: C
Disinfection reduces microorganisms on appropriate nonporous surfaces when the product is
used according to its directions.
15. A barber finishes using a pair of shears on a client. What should happen before the
shears are stored for later use?
