1
REGULATORY BODY & LICENSING (Q1–20)
1. Which organization regulates barbers and barbershops in Virginia?
A. Virginia Department of Health
B. Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
C. Virginia Department of Education
D. Virginia Board of Medicine
Answer: B — The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, under DPOR, regulates
barbering and related professions.
2. What examinations must an applicant pass for initial Virginia barber licensure?
A. Written examination only
B. Practical examination only
C. Written and practical examinations
D. Oral examination only
Answer: C — Virginia requires applicants to pass both board-approved written and practical
examinations.
3. If a candidate passes one examination but not the other, how long does the passed
examination remain valid?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. One year from the initial examination date
D. Five years
Answer: C — A passed exam does not have to be repeated if both are passed within one
year of the initial examination date.
4. How often must a Virginia barber license be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Answer: B — Virginia barber licenses must be renewed biennially (every two years).
5. What is the primary purpose of the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology?
A. Promote specific hair care product brands
B. Protect the health and safety of the public
C. Maximize profits for salon owners
D. Standardize hairstyles across the state
Answer: B — The Board's regulatory authority ensures practitioners meet minimum
standards of sanitation, safety, and competency.
6. Which code section governs the barbering profession in Virginia?
A. Title 22.1, Chapter 13
, 2
B. Title 54.1, Chapter 7
C. Title 18.2, Chapter 5
D. Title 59.1, Chapter 15
Answer: B — The statutes regulating barbering are codified in Title 54.1, Chapter 7 of the
Code of Virginia.
7. What does "direct supervision" mean regarding temporary permit holders?
A. The supervisor must be in the same building
B. A licensed barber, cosmetologist, or nail technician must be present in the shop at all
times when services are performed by a permit holder or apprentice
C. The supervisor only needs to be available by phone
D. The supervisor must watch every service performed
Answer: B — Virginia law requires a licensed professional to be physically present in the
establishment.
8. What is "endorsement" as defined in Virginia barbering regulations?
A. Taking a new exam
B. A method of obtaining a license by a person currently licensed in another state
C. A type of disciplinary action
D. A temporary work permit
Answer: B — Endorsement allows individuals licensed in another state to obtain a Virginia
license without retraining.
9. An applicant for a barber instructor license must have held an active barber license for
at least:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C — Applicants must document at least three years of active practice as a licensed
barber.
10. What is the maximum penalty the Board may impose for a first violation of sanitation
regulations?
A. A written warning
B. A fine of up to $500
C. A fine of up to $1,000
D. Summary suspension of license
Answer: C — Per Virginia Code § 54.1-111, the Board may impose civil penalties up to
$1,000 per violation.
11. How many training hours does Virginia require for a barber license (effective
December 1, 2025)?
, 3
A. 500 hours
B. 750 hours
C. 1,000 hours
D. 1,500 hours
Answer: B — Effective December 1, 2025, Virginia barber school curricula require a
minimum of 750 clock hours.
12. What is the minimum passing score required on the Virginia barber licensing written
exam?
A. 65%
B. 70%
C. 75%
D. 80%
Answer: C — Candidates must achieve a scaled passing score of 75 on the written theory
exam.
13. Which organization administers the Virginia barber licensing exams?
A. The Board directly
B. Prov (NIC)
C. PSI
D. Pearson VUE
Answer: B — Prov administers the NIC barber examinations for Virginia.
14. What happens if a candidate fails to apply for initial licensure within five years of
passing both exams?
A. The license is issued automatically
B. Both exams must be retaken
C. Only the written exam must be retaken
D. The candidate pays a late fee
Answer: B — Any candidate failing to apply within five years of passing both exams must
retake both.
15. Which document must be displayed in a Virginia barbershop?
A. Only the shop establishment license
B. Current barber licenses and establishment license
C. Only the barber school diploma
D. No licenses need to be displayed
Answer: B — Virginia requires both current individual barber licenses and the establishment
license to be displayed.
16. What is the renewal fee for an individual Virginia barber license?
A. $60
B. $75
REGULATORY BODY & LICENSING (Q1–20)
1. Which organization regulates barbers and barbershops in Virginia?
A. Virginia Department of Health
B. Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
C. Virginia Department of Education
D. Virginia Board of Medicine
Answer: B — The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, under DPOR, regulates
barbering and related professions.
2. What examinations must an applicant pass for initial Virginia barber licensure?
A. Written examination only
B. Practical examination only
C. Written and practical examinations
D. Oral examination only
Answer: C — Virginia requires applicants to pass both board-approved written and practical
examinations.
3. If a candidate passes one examination but not the other, how long does the passed
examination remain valid?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. One year from the initial examination date
D. Five years
Answer: C — A passed exam does not have to be repeated if both are passed within one
year of the initial examination date.
4. How often must a Virginia barber license be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Answer: B — Virginia barber licenses must be renewed biennially (every two years).
5. What is the primary purpose of the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology?
A. Promote specific hair care product brands
B. Protect the health and safety of the public
C. Maximize profits for salon owners
D. Standardize hairstyles across the state
Answer: B — The Board's regulatory authority ensures practitioners meet minimum
standards of sanitation, safety, and competency.
6. Which code section governs the barbering profession in Virginia?
A. Title 22.1, Chapter 13
, 2
B. Title 54.1, Chapter 7
C. Title 18.2, Chapter 5
D. Title 59.1, Chapter 15
Answer: B — The statutes regulating barbering are codified in Title 54.1, Chapter 7 of the
Code of Virginia.
7. What does "direct supervision" mean regarding temporary permit holders?
A. The supervisor must be in the same building
B. A licensed barber, cosmetologist, or nail technician must be present in the shop at all
times when services are performed by a permit holder or apprentice
C. The supervisor only needs to be available by phone
D. The supervisor must watch every service performed
Answer: B — Virginia law requires a licensed professional to be physically present in the
establishment.
8. What is "endorsement" as defined in Virginia barbering regulations?
A. Taking a new exam
B. A method of obtaining a license by a person currently licensed in another state
C. A type of disciplinary action
D. A temporary work permit
Answer: B — Endorsement allows individuals licensed in another state to obtain a Virginia
license without retraining.
9. An applicant for a barber instructor license must have held an active barber license for
at least:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C — Applicants must document at least three years of active practice as a licensed
barber.
10. What is the maximum penalty the Board may impose for a first violation of sanitation
regulations?
A. A written warning
B. A fine of up to $500
C. A fine of up to $1,000
D. Summary suspension of license
Answer: C — Per Virginia Code § 54.1-111, the Board may impose civil penalties up to
$1,000 per violation.
11. How many training hours does Virginia require for a barber license (effective
December 1, 2025)?
, 3
A. 500 hours
B. 750 hours
C. 1,000 hours
D. 1,500 hours
Answer: B — Effective December 1, 2025, Virginia barber school curricula require a
minimum of 750 clock hours.
12. What is the minimum passing score required on the Virginia barber licensing written
exam?
A. 65%
B. 70%
C. 75%
D. 80%
Answer: C — Candidates must achieve a scaled passing score of 75 on the written theory
exam.
13. Which organization administers the Virginia barber licensing exams?
A. The Board directly
B. Prov (NIC)
C. PSI
D. Pearson VUE
Answer: B — Prov administers the NIC barber examinations for Virginia.
14. What happens if a candidate fails to apply for initial licensure within five years of
passing both exams?
A. The license is issued automatically
B. Both exams must be retaken
C. Only the written exam must be retaken
D. The candidate pays a late fee
Answer: B — Any candidate failing to apply within five years of passing both exams must
retake both.
15. Which document must be displayed in a Virginia barbershop?
A. Only the shop establishment license
B. Current barber licenses and establishment license
C. Only the barber school diploma
D. No licenses need to be displayed
Answer: B — Virginia requires both current individual barber licenses and the establishment
license to be displayed.
16. What is the renewal fee for an individual Virginia barber license?
A. $60
B. $75
