Idaho Barber Licensing Examination with
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified
1. A barber in Idaho is cited for operating without a current license. Under Idaho
Code, which of the following is the most severe potential consequence for a first
offense?
A. A warning letter with a 30-day grace period to renew.
B. A misdemeanor charge with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time.
C. Immediate permanent revocation of all future licensing eligibility.
D. A civil penalty of $100 and mandatory community service.
Answer: B. A misdemeanor charge with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time.
Rationale: Idaho Code §54-501 et seq. classifies unlicensed barbering as a misdemeanor,
punishable by fines and potential jail time. A warning, permanent revocation, or small civil
penalty does not reflect the statutory severity for a first offense.
2. During a chemical relaxer service, a client reports a burning sensation. The barber
immediately rinses the product. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the
burning, given that the relaxer was correctly formulated for the client's hair type?
A. The relaxer was applied to hair that had been previously treated with a thio-based
permanent wave.
B. The relaxer was left on the hair for the recommended processing time.
C. The client's hair had a high porosity due to prior bleach application.
D. The barber failed to apply a protective base cream to the scalp.
Answer: D. The barber failed to apply a protective base cream to the scalp.
Rationale: A protective base cream creates a barrier between the scalp and the highly
alkaline relaxer. Without it, the relaxer can cause chemical burns even if correctly
formulated. Prior thio waves or high porosity affect hair integrity, not scalp burning, and
correct processing time would not cause burning.
Page 1 of 77
,3. A barber notices that a client's hair has a distinct green tint after a haircut. The
client recently swam in a chlorinated pool and had a previous henna application.
Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the green tint?
A. Chlorine reacted with the henna to produce a green pigment.
B. Copper in the water oxidized and deposited on the hair, binding with henna.
C. The client's hair is naturally porous and absorbed pool chemicals.
D. The barber used a shampoo with a high pH, stripping the henna.
Answer: B. Copper in the water oxidized and deposited on the hair, binding with
henna.
Rationale: Copper ions from pool water can oxidize and bind to keratin, especially in hair
with henna (which contains lawsone). This creates a greenish cast. Chlorine alone does not
turn hair green; it's the copper. High pH shampoo would not cause green tint.
4. Which of the following best describes the mechanism by which a thio-based
permanent wave solution alters hair shape?
A. It reduces disulfide bonds to sulfhydryl groups, allowing reshaping, then neutralizer
reoxidizes them.
B. It hydrolyzes peptide bonds in the cortex, softening the hair for reshaping.
C. It coats the hair with a polymer that holds the new shape until shampooed out.
D. It raises the pH to swell the cuticle and allows hydrogen bonds to be rearranged.
Answer: A. It reduces disulfide bonds to sulfhydryl groups, allowing reshaping, then
neutralizer reoxidizes them.
Rationale: Thio permanent wave solutions break disulfide bonds via reduction, and the
neutralizer (often hydrogen peroxide or bromate) reoxidizes them in the new shape.
Hydrolysis of peptide bonds would damage hair; polymer coatings are temporary;
hydrogen bond rearrangement is physical, not chemical permanent waving.
Page 2 of 77
,5. A barber is designing a sanitation protocol for a new shop. Which of the following is
the correct sequence for disinfecting a straight razor after use?
A. Rinse with water, scrub with soap, immerse in disinfectant, air dry.
B. Wipe with a towel, spray with disinfectant, store in a closed drawer.
C. Scrub with a brush to remove debris, immerse in EPA-registered disinfectant for the
required contact time, then rinse and dry.
D. Soak in Barbicide for 10 minutes, then wipe with alcohol.
Answer: C. Scrub with a brush to remove debris, immerse in EPA-registered
disinfectant for the required contact time, then rinse and dry.
Rationale: Proper disinfection requires cleaning (scrubbing) to remove organic matter,
then full immersion in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the manufacturer's contact time
(often 10 minutes), followed by rinsing and drying. Wiping alone is insufficient; Barbicide
alone without cleaning may not penetrate debris.
6. A client requests a haircut that requires significant length reduction using a razor.
The client has fine, straight hair. Which of the following techniques will best prevent a
jagged or uneven line?
A. Razor cutting against the growth direction with light pressure.
B. Using a guard on the razor to control length.
C. Cutting with the razor at a 45-degree angle to the hair strand.
D. Razor cutting on wet hair with tension applied.
Answer: D. Razor cutting on wet hair with tension applied.
Rationale: Razor cutting on wet hair with tension allows the hair to be held taut, creating a
smooth, even cut. Cutting against growth or at an angle can cause unevenness, and guards
are not typically used for razor cutting.
Page 3 of 77
, 7. Which of the following statements about the anatomy of the hair follicle is correct?
A. The arrector pili muscle is attached to the dermal papilla.
B. The sebaceous gland secretes sebum into the hair follicle, lubricating the hair and
skin.
C. The hair bulb is located in the dermis and contains only the hair matrix.
D. The inner root sheath is composed of connective tissue and provides structural
support.
Answer: B. The sebaceous gland secretes sebum into the hair follicle, lubricating the
hair and skin.
Rationale: Sebaceous glands are attached to the hair follicle and secrete sebum, which
lubricates hair and skin. The arrector pili attaches to the follicle, not the dermal papilla;
the hair bulb contains the matrix and dermal papilla; the inner root sheath is cellular, not
connective tissue.
8. A barber shop in Idaho is subject to an inspection. Which of the following would be
considered a violation of Idaho barbering rules regarding record keeping?
A. Failing to display the shop license in a prominent place.
B. Not keeping a daily log of client names and services.
C. Using a disinfectant that is not EPA-registered.
D. Allowing a non-licensed person to shampoo hair.
Answer: B. Not keeping a daily log of client names and services.
Rationale: Idaho barber rules require maintaining a daily record of clients and services for
at least one year. Displaying license, using EPA disinfectants, and allowing unlicensed
shampooing are separate violations, but the record-keeping requirement is specific.
Page 4 of 77
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified
1. A barber in Idaho is cited for operating without a current license. Under Idaho
Code, which of the following is the most severe potential consequence for a first
offense?
A. A warning letter with a 30-day grace period to renew.
B. A misdemeanor charge with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time.
C. Immediate permanent revocation of all future licensing eligibility.
D. A civil penalty of $100 and mandatory community service.
Answer: B. A misdemeanor charge with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time.
Rationale: Idaho Code §54-501 et seq. classifies unlicensed barbering as a misdemeanor,
punishable by fines and potential jail time. A warning, permanent revocation, or small civil
penalty does not reflect the statutory severity for a first offense.
2. During a chemical relaxer service, a client reports a burning sensation. The barber
immediately rinses the product. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the
burning, given that the relaxer was correctly formulated for the client's hair type?
A. The relaxer was applied to hair that had been previously treated with a thio-based
permanent wave.
B. The relaxer was left on the hair for the recommended processing time.
C. The client's hair had a high porosity due to prior bleach application.
D. The barber failed to apply a protective base cream to the scalp.
Answer: D. The barber failed to apply a protective base cream to the scalp.
Rationale: A protective base cream creates a barrier between the scalp and the highly
alkaline relaxer. Without it, the relaxer can cause chemical burns even if correctly
formulated. Prior thio waves or high porosity affect hair integrity, not scalp burning, and
correct processing time would not cause burning.
Page 1 of 77
,3. A barber notices that a client's hair has a distinct green tint after a haircut. The
client recently swam in a chlorinated pool and had a previous henna application.
Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the green tint?
A. Chlorine reacted with the henna to produce a green pigment.
B. Copper in the water oxidized and deposited on the hair, binding with henna.
C. The client's hair is naturally porous and absorbed pool chemicals.
D. The barber used a shampoo with a high pH, stripping the henna.
Answer: B. Copper in the water oxidized and deposited on the hair, binding with
henna.
Rationale: Copper ions from pool water can oxidize and bind to keratin, especially in hair
with henna (which contains lawsone). This creates a greenish cast. Chlorine alone does not
turn hair green; it's the copper. High pH shampoo would not cause green tint.
4. Which of the following best describes the mechanism by which a thio-based
permanent wave solution alters hair shape?
A. It reduces disulfide bonds to sulfhydryl groups, allowing reshaping, then neutralizer
reoxidizes them.
B. It hydrolyzes peptide bonds in the cortex, softening the hair for reshaping.
C. It coats the hair with a polymer that holds the new shape until shampooed out.
D. It raises the pH to swell the cuticle and allows hydrogen bonds to be rearranged.
Answer: A. It reduces disulfide bonds to sulfhydryl groups, allowing reshaping, then
neutralizer reoxidizes them.
Rationale: Thio permanent wave solutions break disulfide bonds via reduction, and the
neutralizer (often hydrogen peroxide or bromate) reoxidizes them in the new shape.
Hydrolysis of peptide bonds would damage hair; polymer coatings are temporary;
hydrogen bond rearrangement is physical, not chemical permanent waving.
Page 2 of 77
,5. A barber is designing a sanitation protocol for a new shop. Which of the following is
the correct sequence for disinfecting a straight razor after use?
A. Rinse with water, scrub with soap, immerse in disinfectant, air dry.
B. Wipe with a towel, spray with disinfectant, store in a closed drawer.
C. Scrub with a brush to remove debris, immerse in EPA-registered disinfectant for the
required contact time, then rinse and dry.
D. Soak in Barbicide for 10 minutes, then wipe with alcohol.
Answer: C. Scrub with a brush to remove debris, immerse in EPA-registered
disinfectant for the required contact time, then rinse and dry.
Rationale: Proper disinfection requires cleaning (scrubbing) to remove organic matter,
then full immersion in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the manufacturer's contact time
(often 10 minutes), followed by rinsing and drying. Wiping alone is insufficient; Barbicide
alone without cleaning may not penetrate debris.
6. A client requests a haircut that requires significant length reduction using a razor.
The client has fine, straight hair. Which of the following techniques will best prevent a
jagged or uneven line?
A. Razor cutting against the growth direction with light pressure.
B. Using a guard on the razor to control length.
C. Cutting with the razor at a 45-degree angle to the hair strand.
D. Razor cutting on wet hair with tension applied.
Answer: D. Razor cutting on wet hair with tension applied.
Rationale: Razor cutting on wet hair with tension allows the hair to be held taut, creating a
smooth, even cut. Cutting against growth or at an angle can cause unevenness, and guards
are not typically used for razor cutting.
Page 3 of 77
, 7. Which of the following statements about the anatomy of the hair follicle is correct?
A. The arrector pili muscle is attached to the dermal papilla.
B. The sebaceous gland secretes sebum into the hair follicle, lubricating the hair and
skin.
C. The hair bulb is located in the dermis and contains only the hair matrix.
D. The inner root sheath is composed of connective tissue and provides structural
support.
Answer: B. The sebaceous gland secretes sebum into the hair follicle, lubricating the
hair and skin.
Rationale: Sebaceous glands are attached to the hair follicle and secrete sebum, which
lubricates hair and skin. The arrector pili attaches to the follicle, not the dermal papilla;
the hair bulb contains the matrix and dermal papilla; the inner root sheath is cellular, not
connective tissue.
8. A barber shop in Idaho is subject to an inspection. Which of the following would be
considered a violation of Idaho barbering rules regarding record keeping?
A. Failing to display the shop license in a prominent place.
B. Not keeping a daily log of client names and services.
C. Using a disinfectant that is not EPA-registered.
D. Allowing a non-licensed person to shampoo hair.
Answer: B. Not keeping a daily log of client names and services.
Rationale: Idaho barber rules require maintaining a daily record of clients and services for
at least one year. Displaying license, using EPA disinfectants, and allowing unlicensed
shampooing are separate violations, but the record-keeping requirement is specific.
Page 4 of 77
