Health & Personal Services · course plan
⚠ Pending professional review
This course plan, its lessons and its assessments has not yet been verified by a licensed clinician in the field or by a certification or approval body. It is a study draft and may contain errors. Do not use it to make decisions about any patient or medication. Always follow your instructor, your supervising professional, and current official references and regulations.
VoTechWorks program approval and accreditation are still in progress. Credentials are issued only by the certifying bodies named in each program, after their own exams.
Barbering
9 courses · 1,200 clock hours · 9–12 mo full-time. Grading is competency-based: each course requires the written exam, a competent skills demonstration with zero safety faults, a signed log, and a passed safety audit; percentage weights only rank performance above the competency floor.
9courses
74lessons
1,200hours
31assessments
Development progressPlanCourses, lessons and assessments written for this tradeLessons74 of 74 lesson pages writtenPractice590 practice questionsResources120 reference entries (study list)Review0 lesson pages reviewed by a licensed professional
Study now: 74 lesson pages are open (lesson titles below are links).
HLT-BARB33-01 Universal core
Universal Core: Safety, Math, Communication & Career for Barbering
148 hr · $1,185 COMPLIMENTARY
This foundational course equips barber students with the safety protocols, mathematical skills, communication strategies, and career-readiness knowledge required before entering a barbershop or clinical setting. Students earn OSHA 10 awareness and hands-on first aid/CPR training, practice the measurements and formulas used daily behind the chair, and build the professional habits employers and licensing boards expect. All content is mapped to the safety, science, and professional-practice domains tested on most state barber licensing examinations.
Outcomes- Demonstrate OSHA General Industry hazard-recognition principles and bloodborne-pathogen controls as applied to a barbershop environment, achieving at least 80% on a written safety examination.
- Perform adult hands-only and full CPR sequences and apply basic first-aid procedures for cuts, chemical exposures, and fainting, meeting the criteria of an accredited first aid/CPR course.
- Apply trade-specific math—including percentage mixing, ratio dilution, unit conversion, and appointment-time calculation—accurately on practical problems with at least 80% correctness.
- Read and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS), product labels, licensing statutes, and equipment manuals relevant to barbering without instructor assistance.
- Use digital scheduling software, point-of-sale systems, and professional social-media best practices to manage a simulated barbershop client workflow.
- Compose a professional résumé and cover letter, articulate scope-of-practice boundaries, and explain the legal requirement for a state barber license in a mock employment interview.
Course text
This foundational course equips barber students with the safety protocols, mathematical skills, communication strategies, and career-readiness knowledge required before entering a barbershop or clinical setting. Students earn OSHA 10 awareness and hands-on first aid/CPR training, practice the measurements and formulas used daily behind the chair, and build the professional habits employers and licensing boards expect. All content is mapped to the safety, science, and professional-practice domains tested on most state barber licensing examinations.
How the course runs. 7 blocks: Barbershop Hazard Awareness and OSHA 10 General Industry Principles; Bloodborne Pathogens, SDS Literacy, and Chemical Safety; First Aid and CPR for the Barbershop; Trade Math and Measurement for Barbers; Technical Reading: Labels, Statutes, and Equipment Manuals; Digital Tools: Scheduling, POS, and Professional Online Presence; Career Readiness: Licensure, Scope of Practice, and Professional Identity.
What competent looks like. Demonstrate OSHA General Industry hazard-recognition principles and bloodborne-pathogen controls as applied to a barbershop environment, achieving at least 80% on a written safety examination. Perform adult hands-only and full CPR sequences and apply basic first-aid procedures for cuts, chemical exposures, and fainting, meeting the criteria of an accredited first aid/CPR course. Apply trade-specific math—including percentage mixing, ratio dilution, unit conversion, and appointment-time calculation—accurately on practical problems with at least 80% correctness. Read and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS), product labels, licensing statutes, and equipment manuals relevant to barbering without instructor assistance. Use digital scheduling software, point-of-sale systems, and professional social-media best practices to manage a simulated barbershop client workflow. Compose a professional résumé and cover letter, articulate scope-of-practice boundaries, and explain the legal requirement for a state barber license in a mock employment interview.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barbershop Hazard Awareness and OSHA 10 General Industry Principles | 22 | theory | Students will identify the five most common barbershop hazards—sharps, chemicals, slips, electrical, and ergonomic—and match each to its OSHA General Industry control measure, scoring at least 80% on a written quiz. |
| OSHA 10 General Industry student packet, OSHA poster (English/Spanish), staged barbershop station with planted hazards, hazard-identification worksheet, whiteboard, projector. | 10-question written quiz at end of lesson; students must identify hazard category and a correct control for each scenario; pass mark 80%. |
| 2 | Bloodborne Pathogens, SDS Literacy, and Chemical Safety | 20 | theory | Students will correctly read a Safety Data Sheet for a common barbershop chemical, identify the exposure route, required PPE, and emergency first-aid response, and explain the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard's requirements for a barber, scoring at least 80% on a written assessment. |
| Printed SDS packets for five common barbershop products, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard summary sheet, nitrile gloves (multiple sizes), sharps container, exposure-incident report form template, projector. | Written 15-question assessment covering SDS sections, exposure-incident steps, and PPE selection; pass mark 80%. |
| 3 | First Aid and CPR for the Barbershop | 20 | lab | Students will perform a complete adult CPR sequence and demonstrate first-aid procedures for three barbershop-specific emergencies—laceration, chemical eye splash, and syncope—meeting the skill criteria of the accredited first aid/CPR curriculum used by the program. |
| Adult CPR manikins (minimum one per two students), AED trainer unit, first-aid kit, eyewash station, nitrile gloves, bandages, skill-check cards from accredited CPR provider, laminated scenario cards. | Instructor-scored CPR and first-aid skill card for each student using the accredited provider's pass/fail criteria; all critical steps must be performed correctly to pass. |
| 4 | Trade Math and Measurement for Barbers | 28 | theory | Students will solve barbershop math problems—including chemical mixing ratios, percentage-based retail markup, tip calculation, appointment-block scheduling, and unit conversion between metric and US customary—with at least 80% accuracy on a timed problem set. |
| Scientific calculators, trade math worksheet packet, milliliter measuring cups, fluid-ounce measuring cups, color-mixing bowl, whiteboard, frequency-chart poster. | 20-problem individual timed assessment covering all four skill areas; pass mark 80% (16/20 correct). |
| 5 | Technical Reading: Labels, Statutes, and Equipment Manuals | 18 | theory | Students will extract and accurately summarize required information from a product label, a state board regulation excerpt, and a clippers maintenance manual without instructor assistance, demonstrating comprehension through a written summary and Q&A. |
| Sample state barber board regulation printout (instructor-selected current version), three product labels with corresponding product bottles, three different brand clippers/trimmer manuals, comprehension worksheets. | Written comprehension check of 15 questions spanning statute, label, and manual content; pass mark 80%. |
| 6 | Digital Tools: Scheduling, POS, and Professional Online Presence | 20 | demo | Students will create a complete client appointment in a simulated scheduling platform, process a mock transaction in a point-of-sale system, and build a single professional social-media post that meets barbershop brand standards, without instructor prompting after the initial demo. |
| Student devices (laptop or tablet, program-provided or personal), scheduling app (instructor-selected free-tier platform), POS app (instructor-selected trial version), social-media post evaluation rubric, sample post printouts. | Instructor observation checklist during lab time; student must complete all four scheduling steps, all POS steps, and submit a post that passes the privacy and professionalism rubric—all three sections must pass to receive credit. |
| 7 | Career Readiness: Licensure, Scope of Practice, and Professional Identity | 20 | theory | Students will explain the legal distinction between a barber license and a cosmetology license, outline the standard state licensing application process, and present a professional résumé and cover letter tailored to a real barbershop job posting, demonstrating readiness for entry-level employment. |
| State board website printout (current, instructor-verified), licensure flowchart template, scope-of-practice scenario cards, sample anonymized barber résumé, cover-letter template, job-posting printout (real, current, instructor-selected), peer-review rubric. | Résumé and cover letter scored against a rubric (contact info complete, relevant skills listed, tailored to posting, no spelling errors, professional format); licensure flowchart reviewed for accuracy; both must meet rubric standards to pass. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and Regulatory Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% (40/50 questions correct) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer written exam covering OSHA hazard recognition, the hierarchy of controls, bloodborne pathogen standard requirements, SDS interpretation, and barbershop chemical safety. Questions are mapped to the safety and science sections of the state barber licensing examination blueprint to begin familiarizing students with exam-style language and reasoning. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Trade Math and Technical Reading Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% (32/40 questions correct) | A 40-question timed written exam (45 minutes) that integrates barbershop math problems—ratio mixing, percentage markup, unit conversion, schedule calculation—with technical reading comprehension questions drawn from a product label excerpt and a regulation excerpt provided in the exam booklet. Students may use a calculator for the math section only. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Digital Workflow and Career Documents Portfolio | Project | 25% | All three portfolio components must score at least 80% on their respective rubrics | Students submit a portfolio containing: (1) screenshots of a completed client booking and POS transaction with annotated labels identifying each step; (2) a professional social-media post meeting all privacy and branding criteria; and (3) a final résumé and cover letter tailored to a barbershop job posting. Each component is scored separately; a deficient component may be revised once within five business days. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Professional Identity Oral Defense | Oral / panel | 25% | Score of at least 12/16 points across four rubric dimensions; no dimension may score zero | In a 10-minute individual oral session with the instructor, each student explains the legal importance of the state barber license, describes two consequences of unlicensed practice, defends one decision made in their career portfolio, and responds to one unrehearsed scope-of-practice scenario. The four rubric dimensions are accuracy of legal and regulatory knowledge, clarity of communication, professional demeanor, and reasoning under an unrehearsed prompt. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
HLT-BARB33-02 Trade course
Haircut Techniques: Clipper, Scissor, and Razor Cutting for Barbering
127 hr · $1,830 COMPLIMENTARY
This course builds the foundational cutting skills required of a licensed barber, covering the theory of hair growth, head-shape analysis, sectioning, and the hands-on use of clippers, shears, and straight razors to execute classic and contemporary men's haircut silhouettes. Students learn to select and safely operate each cutting tool, apply established elevation and cutting-angle principles, and deliver consistent results on live models. Lesson content maps directly to the haircut and tool-use competency areas tested on state barber licensing examinations.
Outcomes- Identify the eight sections of the head, hair-growth patterns, and how they influence cutting decisions for at least four common head shapes.
- Demonstrate safe, ergonomically correct handling of clippers, shears, razors, and combs in accordance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards and manufacturer guidelines.
- Execute at least five foundational haircut silhouettes—including blunt cut, layered cut, uniform layer, short graduation, and clipper-over-comb—meeting instructor-defined length-tolerance and symmetry standards.
- Apply the principles of elevation, overdirection, cutting angle, and guide usage to produce a haircut that is balanced and repeatable on opposite sides of the head.
- Perform a client consultation, select an appropriate cut for the client's hair type and lifestyle, and communicate the service plan clearly before beginning any cut.
- Complete and maintain a lesson-by-lesson lab log documenting tool selection, technique used, outcome, and any corrective adjustments made.
Course text
This course builds the foundational cutting skills required of a licensed barber, covering the theory of hair growth, head-shape analysis, sectioning, and the hands-on use of clippers, shears, and straight razors to execute classic and contemporary men's haircut silhouettes. Students learn to select and safely operate each cutting tool, apply established elevation and cutting-angle principles, and deliver consistent results on live models. Lesson content maps directly to the haircut and tool-use competency areas tested on state barber licensing examinations.
How the course runs. 11 blocks: Hair and Scalp Anatomy for Cutters; Cutting Tools: Identification, Selection, and Safe Handling; Sanitation and Infection Control for Cutting Tools; Client Consultation and Service Planning; Sectioning, Elevation, and Cutting Angles: Core Principles; Blunt Cut and One-Length Silhouette on Mannequin; Graduated Cut and Short Graduation on Mannequin; Clipper Techniques: Clipper-Over-Comb and Freehand on Mannequin; Layered Cut and Uniform Layer on Mannequin; Live Model Haircuts: Full Consultation Through Finish; Licensing Exam Skill Mapping: Practical Review and Timed Run-Through.
What competent looks like. Identify the eight sections of the head, hair-growth patterns, and how they influence cutting decisions for at least four common head shapes. Demonstrate safe, ergonomically correct handling of clippers, shears, razors, and combs in accordance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards and manufacturer guidelines. Execute at least five foundational haircut silhouettes—including blunt cut, layered cut, uniform layer, short graduation, and clipper-over-comb—meeting instructor-defined length-tolerance and symmetry standards. Apply the principles of elevation, overdirection, cutting angle, and guide usage to produce a haircut that is balanced and repeatable on opposite sides of the head. Perform a client consultation, select an appropriate cut for the client's hair type and lifestyle, and communicate the service plan clearly before beginning any cut. Complete and maintain a lesson-by-lesson lab log documenting tool selection, technique used, outcome, and any corrective adjustments made.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hair and Scalp Anatomy for Cutters | 9 | theory | Students will correctly identify the major structures of the hair follicle and shaft, the seven reference points of the head, and at least four common growth-pattern variations that affect cutting decisions. |
| Mannequin heads with stands, sectioning clips, dry-erase markers, printed hair-anatomy diagrams, Milady's Standard Professional Barbering textbook (current edition), lab log notebooks | Students correctly identify all seven reference points on a mannequin without prompting and answer a 20-question written anatomy quiz with 75% or higher; both must be achieved before proceeding. |
| 2 | Cutting Tools: Identification, Selection, and Safe Handling | 10 | demo | Students will name, describe the function of, and demonstrate the safe grip and idle-hand position for every primary barber cutting tool—clippers, trimmers, straight shears, thinning shears, straight razor, and comb—before any live cutting begins. |
| Wahl or Andis clippers and trimmers (instructor-designated models), barber shears (6–7 inch), thinning shears, straight razors with guards, wide-tooth and fine-tooth combs, manufacturer instruction sheets, printed peer-check grip checklists, lab logs | Instructor observes each student achieve all items on a 12-point safe-handling checklist (correct grip, correct idle position, safe transfer, blade guard replaced after use) with zero critical errors defined as pointed tool toward body or unguarded blade set on surface; a single critical error requires immediate remediation and recheck. |
| 3 | Sanitation and Infection Control for Cutting Tools | 8 | lab | Students will clean, disinfect, and store all cutting tools using a state-board-compliant two-step clean-then-disinfect procedure and demonstrate proper sharps handling and labeling of disinfectant solutions. |
| EPA-registered disinfectant (e.g., Barbicide or equivalent), mixing containers, labels, disposable gloves, biohazard bags, clipper oil, cleaning brushes, paper towels, state board sanitation rules handout, lab logs | Instructor uses a 10-step disinfection checklist; students must complete all 10 steps in correct order with no skipped steps and no contact between clean and contaminated surfaces, earning a pass on all 10 items; any step involving sharps or glove use must be rated safe or the student repeats the lab. |
| 4 | Client Consultation and Service Planning | 8 | theory | Students will conduct a structured client consultation, identify at least three contraindications that would require a service modification or referral, and document the agreed service plan using a written client record card. |
| Printed consultation script, blank client record cards, five illustrated contraindication case cards, state board rules handout, pen, lab logs | In a role-played consultation assessed by the instructor, students ask at least five specified open-ended questions, correctly classify a randomly drawn contraindication card, and complete a legible client record card; all three criteria must be met to pass. |
| 5 | Sectioning, Elevation, and Cutting Angles: Core Principles | 12 | demo | Students will correctly section a mannequin head into four standard working sections, select the appropriate elevation angle (0°, 45°, or 90°) for three described haircut outcomes, and hold hair at the specified angle while the instructor verifies position before any cut is made. |
| Mannequin heads with hair, sectioning clips, elevation-angle reference card, ruler, wide-tooth combs, lab logs, dry-erase markers on mannequin stands | Students complete a practical exercise sectioning one mannequin and holding three requested elevations; instructor rates each elevation hold as within 10° of target angle using a printed protractor overlay card; students must pass all three elevation checks and produce a symmetrical section part within approximately one centimeter to proceed. |
| 6 | Blunt Cut and One-Length Silhouette on Mannequin | 12 | practice | Students will execute a one-length blunt cut on a mannequin at 0° elevation with a consistent perimeter guideline, producing a finished line that is level and even within instructor-defined tolerance across the entire perimeter. |
| Mannequin heads with a full head of synthetic hair at or below chin length, sectioning clips, wide-tooth and fine-tooth combs, barber shears, spray bottle with water, cape, lab logs, camera or smartphone for documentation | Instructor evaluates the finished blunt cut against a four-criterion rubric: (1) perimeter line is level or matches requested angle within approximately 0.5 cm deviation at any point, (2) no visible steps or unblended breaks in the line, (3) both sides match in length within approximately 0.5 cm, (4) surface is smooth and free of notching; students must achieve a satisfactory rating on all four criteria to pass. |
| 7 | Graduated Cut and Short Graduation on Mannequin | 12 | practice | Students will produce a short graduation cut on a mannequin using 45° elevation throughout the back panel, with a visible weight line and a stacked appearance that is symmetrical on both sides. |
| Mannequin heads with full synthetic hair, sectioning clips, shears, wide-tooth and fine-tooth combs, spray bottle, cape, lab logs, horizontal level comb or ruler | Instructor assesses the back panel against three criteria: visible and unbroken weight line, graduation that builds length evenly from nape to parietal with no abrupt jumps, and left-right symmetry of the weight line within approximately 0.5 cm; all three must be rated satisfactory to pass. |
| 8 | Clipper Techniques: Clipper-Over-Comb and Freehand on Mannequin | 14 | practice | Students will demonstrate clipper-over-comb technique on the back and sides of a mannequin, producing a smooth, blended surface free of lines or ridges that would be visible in the finished cut, using at least two different guard lengths. |
| Clippers with multiple guard set, wide-tooth cutting comb, mannequin heads, spray bottle, handheld mirror, cape, clipper oil, brush, lab logs, camera or smartphone | Instructor runs a contrasting-light check across the cut surface with a portable lamp held parallel to the hair; the surface must show no visible clipper lines or ridges, and the transition between the two guard-length zones must be blended smoothly; any hard line visible under light requires student to correct and recheck before a pass is recorded. |
| 9 | Layered Cut and Uniform Layer on Mannequin | 12 | practice | Students will execute a uniform-layer cut on a mannequin at 90° elevation throughout, producing a surface where all hair falls to the same length from the head form and the finished shape shows no heavy corners or collapsed sides. |
| Mannequin heads with full synthetic hair, sectioning clips, shears, wide-tooth and fine-tooth combs, spray bottle, cape, lab logs, camera or smartphone | Instructor pulls five randomly selected sections from different quadrants of the head to 90° and compares each to the guide; all five must fall within approximately 0.5 cm of the established guide length, and the overall shape must be rounded with no heavy corners, to earn a pass. |
| 10 | Live Model Haircuts: Full Consultation Through Finish | 22 | lab | Students will complete at least three full haircuts on live models—each beginning with a structured consultation and ending with a finished, client-approved style—demonstrating safe tool handling, proper draping, and at least two different cutting techniques across the three services. |
| Live volunteer models, client record cards, neck strips, capes, clippers, shears, combs, spray bottle, handheld mirror, broom and dustpan, disinfected tools per lesson 3 protocol, lab logs | Instructor uses a live-model evaluation rubric covering six areas: consultation completeness, safe tool handling (zero critical safety errors), correct technique execution matching the agreed service, blending and finish quality, client draping and clean-up, and accurate post-service documentation; students must receive a satisfactory rating on all six areas across at least two of the three live services to pass this lesson. |
| 11 | Licensing Exam Skill Mapping: Practical Review and Timed Run-Through | 8 | lab | Students will complete a timed, simulated practical examination scenario on a mannequin that mirrors the format and criteria used in the haircut competency section of the state barber licensing practical examination, identifying their own technique gaps before the course assessment. |
| Mannequin heads, full tool kit (clippers, shears, combs, razor, disinfectant, oil, brush), state board task-area list handout, mock-practical rubric, timer, lab logs, self-evaluation form | Students must complete all assigned tasks within the allotted time and score a satisfactory rating on at least 80% of the rubric items on the mock practical to pass; any item related to sharps safety or bloodborne pathogen compliance must be rated satisfactory independently of the overall percentage. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut Theory and Principles Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% correct (30 of 40 questions) | A 40-question written examination covering hair and scalp anatomy, head reference points, growth patterns, elevation and cutting-angle principles, tool identification and function, consultation contraindications, and state-board sanitation rules as they apply to cutting services. Questions are drawn from lesson content in lessons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and are formatted to reflect the multiple-choice style used in the written portion of most state barber licensing examinations. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Practical Skills Demonstration: Live Model Haircut | Skills demonstration | 45% | Satisfactory rating on all six rubric categories with zero critical safety errors | Students perform one complete haircut on a live model from consultation through finished style, cleanup, and documentation, under direct instructor observation using the same six-category rubric introduced in lesson 10 (consultation, safe tool handling, technique execution, blend and finish quality, draping and cleanup, and client record documentation). A single critical safety error—defined as an unguarded sharp tool left on a surface, a sharp tool directed toward the client's or student's body, or failure to change the blade guard between clients—results in an automatic fail requiring a reschedule. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Lab Log Portfolio Review | Log | 15% | Entries present for every lesson that requires documentation, with all required fields completed; rated complete or incomplete | The instructor reviews the student's lab log to confirm that an entry exists for each of the eleven lessons, that each entry contains the required fields (tools used, technique applied, outcome observed, and corrective actions taken), and that the three sets of annotated cut photographs from lessons 6, 7, and 9 are included. The log must be complete and legible; missing or blank entries require the student to reconstruct and submit the entry with instructor sign-off before the portfolio earns a passing rating. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Cutting-Tool Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | All 10 safety checklist items rated safe; a single unsafe rating requires immediate remediation and a same-day recheck before the student may handle tools on a live client | An unannounced, direct-observation safety audit conducted by the instructor at any point after lesson 3, in which the student is observed setting up a workstation, retrieving tools, handling and transferring a shear and a clipper, replacing blade guards, mixing and labeling disinfectant solution, and disposing of a simulated contaminated item; each of the 10 checklist items is rated safe or unsafe, and the overall assessment is pass only when all 10 items are rated safe. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-BARB33-03 Trade course
Fades: Clipper Graduation and Blending Techniques
127 hr · $1,830 COMPLIMENTARY
Students master the full spectrum of clipper and clipper-over-comb fade techniques, from skin fades to high, mid, and low fades, developing the precision blending and visual assessment skills required for professional barbering. Lessons integrate safety, client consultation, tool maintenance, and the technical judgment needed to produce seamless graduation on all hair textures. Competencies align directly with state barber licensing exam areas covering haircut techniques, tool use, and sanitation.
Outcomes- Identify and correctly select clipper guards, blade types, and comb sizes appropriate for each fade variation and hair texture
- Execute skin, low, mid, and high fades with smooth, undetectable graduation lines on live-model heads
- Demonstrate safe clipper handling, cord management, and blade-changing procedures in compliance with applicable OSHA guidelines
- Apply clipper-over-comb, scissors-over-comb, and freehand blending techniques to achieve seamless transitions between lengths
- Perform a complete client consultation, document service records, and adjust the fade style to suit face shape and client preference
- Disinfect and sanitize all tools between clients according to state board sanitation requirements
Course text
Students master the full spectrum of clipper and clipper-over-comb fade techniques, from skin fades to high, mid, and low fades, developing the precision blending and visual assessment skills required for professional barbering. Lessons integrate safety, client consultation, tool maintenance, and the technical judgment needed to produce seamless graduation on all hair textures. Competencies align directly with state barber licensing exam areas covering haircut techniques, tool use, and sanitation.
How the course runs. 11 blocks: Fade Fundamentals: Anatomy of a Fade and Safety Orientation; Clipper Safety, Ergonomics, and Tool Maintenance; Guard Progressions and Taper Fundamentals; Skin Fade Technique: Nape to Occipital Bone; Low, Mid, and High Fades: Starting Points and Length Breaks; Clipper-Over-Comb Blending; Scissors-Over-Comb and Freehand Finishing; Client Consultation, Face Shape Analysis, and Fade Selection; Fades on Live Models: Supervised First Encounters; Fading Diverse Hair Textures: Coily, Wavy, and Straight Hair; Sanitation, State Board Standards, and Professional Practice Review.
What competent looks like. Identify and correctly select clipper guards, blade types, and comb sizes appropriate for each fade variation and hair texture. Execute skin, low, mid, and high fades with smooth, undetectable graduation lines on live-model heads. Demonstrate safe clipper handling, cord management, and blade-changing procedures in compliance with applicable OSHA guidelines. Apply clipper-over-comb, scissors-over-comb, and freehand blending techniques to achieve seamless transitions between lengths. Perform a complete client consultation, document service records, and adjust the fade style to suit face shape and client preference. Disinfect and sanitize all tools between clients according to state board sanitation requirements.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fade Fundamentals: Anatomy of a Fade and Safety Orientation | 10 | theory | Students will correctly identify the zones of the head (nape, occipital bone, parietal ridge, top) and define skin, low, mid, and high fades using standard barbering terminology. |
| Milady's Standard Professional Barbering (current edition), printed head-form diagrams, whiteboard, projector, clipper display set (guards 0.5–8) | Score 80% or higher on a 20-question written quiz covering zone anatomy, fade definitions, and terminology; students who score below 80% complete a guided re-read and retest |
| 2 | Clipper Safety, Ergonomics, and Tool Maintenance | 10 | demo | Students will demonstrate safe clipper operation, correct ergonomic posture, cord-and-cordless management, blade removal and replacement, and pre-service blade sanitization without prompting. |
| Corded and cordless clippers (various brands), clipper oil, cleaning brushes, blade wash, replacement blades, tool-maintenance log forms, OSHA quick-card for blood-borne pathogens | Instructor safety checklist: student must complete all 12 maintenance and safety steps in correct sequence without prompting to pass; any missed step requires immediate correction and full repeat of the checklist |
| 3 | Guard Progressions and Taper Fundamentals | 12 | demo | Students will apply a standard taper using a guard progression from 0 to 3 on a mannequin head, producing an even length transition with no visible lines. |
| Mannequin heads on clamp stands, assorted clippers with guards 0–8, spray water bottles, neck strips, barber capes, photo standards packet, line-check checklist forms | Instructor evaluates finished taper using a rubric (four criteria: graduation smoothness, consistent guide-length control, nape clean-up, overall blend); student must score at least 3 out of 4 on each criterion to pass |
| 4 | Skin Fade Technique: Nape to Occipital Bone | 12 | practice | Students will produce a skin fade from the nape to the occipital bone on a mannequin head with no visible ledges or lines, using a 0.5 guard, open-lever fading, and a fading brush. |
| Mannequin heads, cordless clippers with lever adjustment, size 0 and 0.5 blades, fading brushes, foam practice pads, washable chalk markers, bright portable work light, rubric forms | Instructor line-check under bright light: zero visible lines or ledges in the faded zone; if a line is found, student must identify the correction technique and execute it before signing off |
| 5 | Low, Mid, and High Fades: Starting Points and Length Breaks | 12 | practice | Students will accurately locate and execute a low, mid, and high fade starting point on a mannequin head, with each fade's transition zone beginning and ending at the anatomically correct landmark. |
| Three mannequin heads per student, clippers, head-form overlay templates, chalk markers, tape, printed reference photos for each fade type, camera or smartphone | Instructor measures starting-point placement against anatomical landmark using the overlay template; placement must be within acceptable range for each type, and the finished blend must show smooth graduation; both criteria must pass |
| 6 | Clipper-Over-Comb Blending | 12 | demo | Students will use the clipper-over-comb technique to blend the mid-transition area of a fade on a mannequin head, maintaining consistent comb angle and clipper speed. |
| Mannequin heads, barber combs (fine and wide tooth), clippers (no guard), spray bottle, comparison worksheet, rubric, reference video on instructor tablet | Finished blend evaluated by instructor for absence of comb track marks, consistent length gradient, and smooth connection to surrounding sections; student must pass all three criteria on the rubric |
| 7 | Scissors-Over-Comb and Freehand Finishing | 10 | demo | Students will use scissors-over-comb and freehand detailing techniques to refine the top and transition zone of a fade, achieving a clean line at the length break. |
| Barbering scissors (5.5–6.5 inch), barber combs, mannequin heads with completed fades, trimmers, hand mirrors, instructor tablet with annotation app | Instructor evaluates three areas: top length uniformity, intact fade zone (not disturbed by scissors), and clean hairline with trimmers; all three must pass for the lesson to be signed off |
| 8 | Client Consultation, Face Shape Analysis, and Fade Selection | 9 | theory | Students will conduct a structured client consultation, identify the client's face shape from the seven standard categories, and recommend an appropriate fade style with documented rationale. |
| Face-shape illustrated reference cards, blank service record cards, client persona cards (instructor-prepared), consultation question checklist, Milady's Standard Professional Barbering chapter on client consultation | Instructor evaluates the completed consultation form and service record card using a rubric (face shape correctly identified, appropriate fade recommended with rationale, contraindications addressed, form fully completed); all four criteria must be met to pass |
| 9 | Fades on Live Models: Supervised First Encounters | 18 | lab | Students will complete a full fade service on a live model from consultation through final inspection, meeting instructor-approved technical and sanitation standards. |
| Live volunteer models (recruited and consented in advance), full barber station setup, clippers, trimmers, combs, scissors, capes, neck strips, disinfectant, service record cards, photo log, instructor checkpoint rubric | Instructor checkpoint rubric: student must earn a passing mark at each of the three checkpoints; any checkpoint failure pauses the service for correction before proceeding; final result must meet blend, symmetry, and sanitation standards to receive credit for the session |
| 10 | Fading Diverse Hair Textures: Coily, Wavy, and Straight Hair | 10 | lab | Students will adapt their fade technique—adjusting blade tension, guard selection, clipper angle, and sectioning—to produce smooth graduation on at least two different hair texture types. |
| Texture-specific mannequin heads (straight, wavy, coily), various clipper models and blades, guards, lab log notebooks, printed texture-technique adjustment guide, comparison board (whiteboard or corkboard) | Lab log entry reviewed by instructor: student must correctly document at least two specific technique adjustments per texture type and demonstrate the adjustment in the finished cut; log and cut quality both assessed |
| 11 | Sanitation, State Board Standards, and Professional Practice Review | 12 | theory | Students will correctly apply state board sanitation requirements for clipper tools and the barber station between clients, and explain how each regulation protects client and practitioner safety. |
| State board rules packet (provided by instructor for the applicable state), Milady's Standard Professional Barbering sanitation chapter, disinfectant solutions, EPA-registered barbicide solution, towels, station setup, scenario worksheet | Timed sanitation drill: zero missed steps on the instructor checklist; scenario worksheet: 80% or higher correct responses; both components must pass; missed sanitation steps require immediate correct demonstration before the lesson is signed off |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Knowledge Exam: Fade Theory and State Board Content | Written exam | 25% | 80% correct (40 of 50 questions) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering fade zone anatomy, guard progressions, clipper and blade terminology, client consultation principles, face shape analysis, texture considerations, and state board sanitation rules as mapped to licensing exam content areas. Students who do not reach 80% complete a targeted review and sit a parallel-form retake within one week. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Practical Skills Demonstration: Live-Model Full Fade | Skills demonstration | 45% | Score of 3 or higher on all six rubric criteria (scale 1–4 per criterion) | Student performs a complete fade service on a live model from station setup and consultation through final inspection, evaluated by the instructor on a six-criterion rubric: pre-service sanitation, consultation accuracy, fade starting-point placement, graduation smoothness, blending technique execution, and professional finish and cleanup. This mirrors the format and standards of state practical licensing examinations. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Lab Log Portfolio | Log | 15% | All 11 lesson entries present and rated satisfactory or above on the four-point entry rubric | Students maintain a running lab log throughout the course documenting technique adjustments, self-assessments, before-and-after photographs, and service record cards for every major hands-on session. Each entry is rated on completeness, accuracy of technique description, quality of self-reflection, and photographic documentation; entries rated unsatisfactory may be revised once within 48 hours. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Safety and Sanitation Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% compliance on the 15-step safety checklist; any failed item requires immediate correction and full recheck before credit is awarded | Instructor conducts an unannounced or announced station inspection during a live-model session, evaluating the student against a 15-item checklist covering blood-borne pathogen precautions, correct disinfectant use and contact time, blade handling, proper tool storage, and correct response to a simulated minor cut scenario. This assessment directly maps to the safety and sanitation domain of the state barber licensing exam. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-BARB33-04 Trade course
Straight-Razor Shaving: Technique, Safety, and Client Care
126 hr · $1,815 COMPLIMENTARY
This course develops competency in professional straight-razor and safety-razor shaving services, including pre-shave skin analysis, lather preparation, blade handling, and post-shave finishing. Students learn to execute full-face and neck shaves with correct angle, pressure, and stroke sequencing while maintaining strict infection-control standards. Lessons map directly to the skin-care, safety, and implements sections tested on the state barber licensing examination.
Outcomes- Safely handle, hone, strop, and maintain a straight razor in compliance with occupational safety and state board implement standards.
- Perform a complete professional shave—including hot-towel preparation, lather application, three-pass technique, and post-shave care—on a live model within program time standards.
- Conduct a pre-service scalp and facial skin analysis to identify contraindications that require service refusal or physician referral.
- Demonstrate correct sanitation and disinfection procedures for shaving implements and contact surfaces between every client.
- Apply correct shaving angles, stretch techniques, and stroke directions for all facial regions including upper lip, chin, jawline, cheeks, and neck.
- Accurately document client intake, skin observations, product usage, and service outcomes in a written service record.
Course text
This course develops competency in professional straight-razor and safety-razor shaving services, including pre-shave skin analysis, lather preparation, blade handling, and post-shave finishing. Students learn to execute full-face and neck shaves with correct angle, pressure, and stroke sequencing while maintaining strict infection-control standards. Lessons map directly to the skin-care, safety, and implements sections tested on the state barber licensing examination.
How the course runs. 11 blocks: Tools of the Trade: Straight Razors, Safety Razors, and Shaving Implements; Blade Safety and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Rules for Shaving Services; Skin Analysis and Contraindications for Shaving; Sanitation and Disinfection Protocols for Shaving Implements; Lather Science: Water Chemistry, Products, and Brush Technique; Hot-Towel Service and Pre-Shave Preparation; Razor Mechanics: Grip, Angle, and Stroke Fundamentals; Full-Face Shave on Mannequin: Region-by-Region Technique; Live-Model Shave: Cheeks, Jawline, and Neck; Post-Shave Finishing: Astringents, Balms, and Specialty Treatments; Full Professional Shave Service: Integrated Live-Model Assessment.
What competent looks like. Safely handle, hone, strop, and maintain a straight razor in compliance with occupational safety and state board implement standards. Perform a complete professional shave—including hot-towel preparation, lather application, three-pass technique, and post-shave care—on a live model within program time standards. Conduct a pre-service scalp and facial skin analysis to identify contraindications that require service refusal or physician referral. Demonstrate correct sanitation and disinfection procedures for shaving implements and contact surfaces between every client. Apply correct shaving angles, stretch techniques, and stroke directions for all facial regions including upper lip, chin, jawline, cheeks, and neck. Accurately document client intake, skin observations, product usage, and service outcomes in a written service record.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tools of the Trade: Straight Razors, Safety Razors, and Shaving Implements | 10 | theory | Students will correctly identify and describe the parts, grades, and appropriate uses of straight razors, safety razors, shavettes, strops, and hones used in professional barbering. |
| Milady Standard Barbering (current edition), straight razor display set, shavette, double-edge safety razor, strop, hone, implement diagram worksheets, labeling quiz | Score of 80% or higher on the 20-item implement identification quiz; instructor verifies all diagram labels are correct before quiz is scored. |
| 2 | Blade Safety and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Rules for Shaving Services | 12 | theory | Students will explain OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards as they apply to razor use, articulate exposure control procedures, and demonstrate proper sharps disposal. |
| OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard summary (program-provided), sharps containers, nitrile gloves, course packet, exposure incident report form template | Written guided-reading questions scored 80% or higher; instructor observes sharps disposal and checks all steps on the disposal checklist before marking complete. |
| 3 | Skin Analysis and Contraindications for Shaving | 10 | demo | Students will perform a structured pre-shave skin analysis, correctly classify skin type and condition, and identify a minimum of six contraindications that require service modification or refusal. |
| Magnifying lamp, skin-analysis intake forms, contraindication checklist, case vignette handout, Milady Standard Barbering chapter on skin diseases and disorders | Instructor scores six case vignettes; four of six must be answered correctly with written justification. Skin analysis on partner must correctly identify skin type and at least three observable characteristics. |
| 4 | Sanitation and Disinfection Protocols for Shaving Implements | 10 | lab | Students will execute the full pre-service and post-service sanitation sequence for shaving implements—including cleaning, immersion disinfection, and storage—meeting state board standards. |
| EPA-registered disinfectant and test strips, measuring tools, shaving implements, immersion container, storage drawer/cabinet, station-setup protocol card, mock inspection checklist | Peer-inspector checklist must show zero critical errors (e.g., no blade contact before disinfection, correct dilution confirmed by test strip); instructor verifies result before signing off. |
| 5 | Lather Science: Water Chemistry, Products, and Brush Technique | 8 | demo | Students will select appropriate shaving products for a given skin type and build a consistent, warm lather using brush and mug technique that meets the density and temperature standards demonstrated by the instructor. |
| Shaving soaps, creams, and gels (assorted), shaving mugs and bowls, badger and synthetic brushes, hot-water source, lather quality rubric, mannequin head | Instructor uses lather quality rubric (density, temperature, coverage): student must score satisfactory or above on all three criteria to proceed to razor practice lessons. |
| 6 | Hot-Towel Service and Pre-Shave Preparation | 10 | practice | Students will prepare and apply a properly heated and wrung hot towel, perform a steam or towel open of the pores, and complete full pre-shave preparation within the time standard without burning the client. |
| Hot-towel cabinet, towels, pre-shave oils, lather kit, stopwatch, mannequin head, comfort-feedback form | Instructor observes live partner application; towel temperature must not exceed comfortable skin tolerance (no redness or client complaint), towel placement must cover all shaving areas, and time must fall within program standard. |
| 7 | Razor Mechanics: Grip, Angle, and Stroke Fundamentals | 14 | demo | Students will hold a straight razor in both standard and backhand grips and execute free strokes at the correct 30-degree blade angle on a practice surface with consistent, controlled pressure. |
| Shavettes with practice blades, foam shaving boards or balloons, ruler for angle reference, stroke drill sheet, three-point rubric, camera for angle review | Instructor rates all three stroke categories on the rubric; student must score 2 or 3 on all three categories (angle, pressure, smoothness) before advancing to face work on mannequins. |
| 8 | Full-Face Shave on Mannequin: Region-by-Region Technique | 16 | practice | Students will execute a complete three-pass shave on a mannequin head—with-grain, across-grain, and against-grain passes—correctly sequencing all eight facial regions with proper skin stretch. |
| Mannequin head, shavette, lather kit, region sequence card, grain-mapping diagram, three-pass rubric, regional sequencing checklist | Instructor uses the three-pass rubric; all eight regions must be completed in correct sequence with documented Pass 1 clearance before Passes 2 and 3; overall rubric score must be satisfactory or above. |
| 9 | Live-Model Shave: Cheeks, Jawline, and Neck | 14 | practice | Students will perform a safe, professional with-grain and across-grain shave on a live model for the cheeks, jawline, and neck regions, maintaining client communication and comfort throughout. |
| Client-intake form, shavette, lather kit, hot towels, nitrile gloves, model feedback form, lab log | Instructor observes service; zero nicks or client-reported discomfort due to incorrect technique; model feedback form must average 3 or higher out of 4; intake form must be complete and signed. |
| 10 | Post-Shave Finishing: Astringents, Balms, and Specialty Treatments | 10 | lab | Students will select and correctly apply post-shave products appropriate to the client's skin type, explain each product's function, and complete a finishing sequence that includes cool towel, astringent or balm, and moisturizer. |
| Witch hazel, aftershave balm, aloe gel, alcohol-based splash, cool towels, product labels, product-selection guide, finishing sequence checklist, recommendation card template | Finishing sequence checklist must show all steps completed in order with no omissions; three product recommendation cards must correctly match product to skin type with valid rationale—instructor scores each card pass or fail. |
| 11 | Full Professional Shave Service: Integrated Live-Model Assessment | 12 | lab | Students will deliver a complete, unassisted professional shave service on a live model—from intake through post-shave finish—meeting the program's time, safety, and quality standards in a simulated state board environment. |
| Full shaving station with all implements, client-intake form, state board inspection checklist, three-pass rubric, post-shave product kit, written self-evaluation form | Instructor scores the service using the full program rubric; student must meet passing standard on all four rubric domains (safety and sanitation, technique, client communication, finishing quality); any critical safety failure results in automatic repeat. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaving Knowledge Examination | Written exam | 25% | 75% or higher (scored item by item; must score at least 70% on each of the safety and sanitation sub-sections independently) | A 60-item written examination covering implement identification, blade safety and OSHA bloodborne pathogen rules, skin analysis and contraindications, product science, sanitation standards, and shaving technique theory, mapped to the implements, sanitation, and skin-care domains of the state barber licensing exam. Students complete the exam individually under timed conditions with no notes or references. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Practical Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Satisfactory or above on all four rubric domains; zero critical safety errors; any uncontrolled nick or incorrect sharps handling results in automatic fail and service must be repeated | Students perform a complete professional shave service on a live model under instructor observation using the program's four-domain rubric (safety and sanitation, razor technique, client communication, and post-shave finishing), replicating the format and expectations of a state board practical examination. The service is timed and conducted without instructor prompting. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Lab Log Review | Log | 15% | Entries present for at least 10 of 11 lessons with required elements (date, service or activity, observations, self-identified improvement goals); zero entries may be blank or missing a self-evaluation component | Students submit a cumulative lab log maintained across all shaving course lessons, documenting pre-service observations, technique notes, client or partner feedback scores, and two improvement goals per live-model or mannequin session. The instructor reviews each entry for completeness, specificity, and evidence of reflective practice rather than generic descriptions. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Safety and Sanitation Competency Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% on critical safety steps (sharps disposal, disinfectant dilution, exposure response sequence); no more than one non-critical step missed on the station-setup checklist | Using a structured 30-item checklist, the instructor observes the student setting up a shaving station, mixing and verifying disinfectant solution, disposing of a used blade in a sharps container, and role-playing the four-step exposure incident response; the check is conducted without advance notice of the exact starting point. This assessment maps directly to the safety and infection-control competencies required for the state barber licensing examination. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-BARB33-05 Trade course
Facial Hair Design and Grooming
126 hr · $1,815 COMPLIMENTARY
This course develops student competency in the full range of facial hair services, from client consultation and beard shaping to mustache design, line-up, and chemical relaxing of coarse beard hair. Students learn to analyze facial structure, select appropriate tools and techniques, and execute precise, clean beard and mustache work that meets state licensing exam standards. Emphasis is placed on sanitation protocol, safe chemical handling, and professional communication throughout every service.
Outcomes- Perform a thorough facial hair consultation, identify face shape, and select a beard or mustache style that suits the client's features and preferences.
- Execute a precise beard shape-up, line-up, and trim using shears, clippers, and trimmers with consistent, symmetrical results on both sides of the face.
- Design and groom at least four recognized mustache styles using correct tool selection, comb technique, and scissor-over-comb control.
- Apply beard chemical relaxer or texturizer safely, following manufacturer directions, timing guidelines, and OSHA Hazard Communication (HazCom) requirements for handling chemical products.
- Maintain compliant sanitation and infection control for all facial hair tools and workstation in accordance with state board standards.
- Document each facial hair service accurately on a client record card and communicate aftercare and home-maintenance instructions clearly to the client.
Course text
This course develops student competency in the full range of facial hair services, from client consultation and beard shaping to mustache design, line-up, and chemical relaxing of coarse beard hair. Students learn to analyze facial structure, select appropriate tools and techniques, and execute precise, clean beard and mustache work that meets state licensing exam standards. Emphasis is placed on sanitation protocol, safe chemical handling, and professional communication throughout every service.
How the course runs. 11 blocks: Facial Hair Anatomy, Face Shape Analysis, and Style Selection; Tools of the Trade: Clippers, Trimmers, Shears, and Combs for Beard Work; Sanitation and Infection Control for Facial Hair Services; Beard Shape-Up and Line Definition; Beard Trimming and Bulk Reduction Techniques; Mustache Styles: Design, Proportions, and Execution; Beard and Mustache Coloring: Fundamentals and Gray Blending; Chemical Beard Relaxing and Texturizing; Beard Care Products: Oils, Balms, and Client Education; Integrated Facial Hair Service: Full Consultation to Finish; State Board Exam Simulation: Facial Hair Tasks.
What competent looks like. Perform a thorough facial hair consultation, identify face shape, and select a beard or mustache style that suits the client's features and preferences. Execute a precise beard shape-up, line-up, and trim using shears, clippers, and trimmers with consistent, symmetrical results on both sides of the face. Design and groom at least four recognized mustache styles using correct tool selection, comb technique, and scissor-over-comb control. Apply beard chemical relaxer or texturizer safely, following manufacturer directions, timing guidelines, and OSHA Hazard Communication (HazCom) requirements for handling chemical products. Maintain compliant sanitation and infection control for all facial hair tools and workstation in accordance with state board standards. Document each facial hair service accurately on a client record card and communicate aftercare and home-maintenance instructions clearly to the client.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Facial Hair Anatomy, Face Shape Analysis, and Style Selection | 10 | theory | Students will identify the seven classic face shapes, match each to appropriate beard and mustache styles, and record findings on a client consultation form. |
| Milady Standard Professional Barbering textbook, face-shape diagram handouts, client consultation/record card forms, pencils, reference style photo boards | Worksheet scored by instructor: student correctly identifies face shape and selects an appropriate style for at least 8 of 10 profiles (80% pass mark). Instructor also rates consultation role-play on a 5-point rubric (must score 4/5). |
| 2 | Tools of the Trade: Clippers, Trimmers, Shears, and Combs for Beard Work | 8 | demo | Students will demonstrate correct selection, assembly, adjustment, and blade-guard identification for clippers and trimmers used in facial hair services. |
| Clipper set with detachable blades and snap-on guards, T-outliner trimmers, barber shears (straight and texturizing), beard combs, blade oil, cleaning brushes, clipper manufacturer care guides | Instructor observes disassembly/reassembly checklist: all steps completed in correct order, blade seated fully, oil applied at pivot and blade, no tool damage. Tool-identification drill: 80% correct on 10 scenarios. |
| 3 | Sanitation and Infection Control for Facial Hair Services | 10 | lab | Students will disinfect clippers, trimmers, shears, and combs using an EPA-registered, hospital-level disinfectant and document the process in a service log, meeting state board sanitation standards. |
| EPA-registered barbicide-type disinfectant and mixing vessel, UV sanitizer cabinet, timer, disinfected combs and clipper blades, SDS binder, sanitation log forms, state board rules reference sheet | Instructor uses a 12-point sanitation checklist; student must achieve 11/12 (92%) with no critical errors (a critical error is skipping contact time or incorrect dilution). Log entries reviewed for completeness: pass requires all five entries fully filled in. |
| 4 | Beard Shape-Up and Line Definition | 14 | practice | Students will establish clean, symmetrical neckline, cheekline, and sideburn-to-beard transition lines on a live model using a T-outliner trimmer and straight razor, producing lines that are level, parallel, and free of visible irregularities. |
| T-outliner trimmers, straight razor (for fine cleanup), haircutting cape, neck strip, flexible tape measure, mannequin heads with beard attachments, water spray bottle, mirror, shaving cream or gel for razor finish, state board exam task rubric | Instructor evaluates final live-model result on a 10-point rubric (symmetry, line crispness, skin irritation/nicks, drape/sanitation setup, client communication): pass = 8/10 with zero nicks or cuts on client skin. |
| 5 | Beard Trimming and Bulk Reduction Techniques | 12 | practice | Students will trim and shape a full beard to a client-specified length and contour using clipper-over-comb, scissor-over-comb, and freehand trimmer techniques, with no visible weight lines or uneven patches. |
| Clipper with guards, T-outliner, barber shears, beard/styling combs, mannequin heads with long-beard attachments, cape, neck strip, spray bottle, cell phone or tablet for photo log, client request card | Instructor examines finished live-model beard for visible lines, uneven patches, and adherence to stated length: pass requires no visible weight lines, length within 5 mm of requested, and photo log submitted with all three angles labeled correctly. |
| 6 | Mustache Styles: Design, Proportions, and Execution | 12 | demo | Students will design and groom four mustache styles—natural/full, pencil, handlebar, and chevron—demonstrating correct proportion relative to the philtrum width and lip line, using appropriate tools for each style. |
| Shears, T-outliner trimmer, straight razor, mustache wax, fine-tooth mustache comb, mustache prosthetic forms, mannequin head, cape, facial proportion diagrams, style reference photos, photo paper or tablet for portfolio | Instructor evaluates each of the four mustache results on a 5-point per-style rubric (proportion, symmetry, clean edges, correct tool use, style fidelity): pass = 16/20 overall with no style scoring below 3. |
| 7 | Beard and Mustache Coloring: Fundamentals and Gray Blending | 10 | theory | Students will explain the chemistry of facial hair color products (semi-permanent and demi-permanent), identify contraindications for beard coloring, and perform a patch test correctly on a mannequin substrate. |
| Demi-permanent beard color kit (instructor-selected professional brand), low-volume developer, mixing bowl and brush, SDS for color product, textbook chapter on haircoloring basics, scenario worksheet, timer, client record card | Written worksheet scored by instructor: pass = 80% (4 of 5 scenarios answered correctly with sound rationale). Patch-test procedure observed on checklist: all steps performed in sequence with correct timing documented. |
| 8 | Chemical Beard Relaxing and Texturizing | 14 | lab | Students will apply a no-lye chemical beard relaxer to a mannequin in a controlled lab setting, following HazCom protocols, manufacturer timing, and neutralization steps, with no chemical contact to eyes or skin beyond the intended target area. |
| Professional no-lye beard relaxer kit (instructor-selected), protective base cream, nitrile gloves (multiple sizes), safety eyewear, chemical-resistant apron, sectioning clips, beard brush, timer, shampoo, neutralizer, towels, mannequin heads, eyewash station access, SDS binder, chemical service record forms | Instructor uses a chemical-service safety checklist (14 points): pass = 13/14 with zero critical errors. Critical errors are: no PPE worn, relaxer contacts eyes or mucous membranes, incorrect neutralization sequence, or timer not used. |
| 9 | Beard Care Products: Oils, Balms, and Client Education | 8 | theory | Students will distinguish the ingredients, functions, and appropriate use of beard oils, balms, and conditioners, and deliver a structured retail recommendation and home-care tutorial to a mock client. |
| Selection of professional beard oils, balms, and conditioners (instructor-provided sample display), ingredient label handouts, home-care instruction sheet template, communication rubric, pens, client record cards | Home-care sheet reviewed by instructor: must correctly name product type, describe application method, and list at least three accurate ingredients matched to their function—pass = 80% accuracy. Communication rubric: partner score of 3/4 or higher required. |
| 10 | Integrated Facial Hair Service: Full Consultation to Finish | 20 | practice | Students will independently perform a complete facial hair service—consultation, beard shape-up, trim, mustache grooming, and product application—on a live client within a professional time frame, documenting all steps on a client record card. |
| Full barbershop setup (client chair, mirror, workstation), full tool kit, cape, neck strip, spray bottle, disinfectant, client record cards, timer, phone/tablet for photo documentation, state board service rubric, beard oil/balm, state board exam task list | Instructor evaluates full service on a 20-point state board–style rubric (consultation, draping/sanitation, shape-up precision, trim evenness, mustache result, product use, client communication, time): pass = 16/20 with no client safety violations. |
| 11 | State Board Exam Simulation: Facial Hair Tasks | 8 | lab | Students will complete a timed facial hair service simulation that mirrors the state board practical examination format, achieving a passing score without instructor assistance. |
| State board–approved tool kit, state board task list and scoring rubric, timer, cape, neck strip, mannequin or live model (per state board rules for exam), client record card, workstation per student | Score on state board rubric: pass = meets the published state board passing standard for facial hair practical tasks (instructor applies the actual rubric; if state standard is not published as a percentage, program uses 75% of total points as the internal threshold). Students scoring below threshold complete a documented remediation plan before advancing to Capstone. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facial Hair Theory Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% (38/50 questions correct) | A 50-question written exam covering face shape analysis, tool identification, beard and mustache style characteristics, beard color and chemical relaxer chemistry, sanitation requirements, product ingredients, and HazCom responsibilities. Questions are drawn from state board exam content areas to reinforce licensure preparation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Integrated Facial Hair Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | 16/20 points on the state board–aligned rubric with zero client safety violations | Students perform a complete, unassisted facial hair service on a live client—including consultation, draping, beard line-up, bulk trim, mustache grooming, and product finish—scored by the instructor on the 20-point rubric used in Lesson 10. Any nick, cut, chemical exposure, or omission of the sanitation setup is an automatic fail requiring a full re-attempt. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Service and Sanitation Lab Log | Log | 15% | All 11 required log entries submitted; each entry scores at least 80% on the completeness rubric | Students maintain a cumulative lab log throughout the course documenting every service performed, including sanitation steps, tools used, client consultation notes, product applied, and a brief self-evaluation. The log is collected at course end and reviewed by the instructor for accuracy, completeness, and reflection quality. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Chemical Service Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | 13/14 points on the chemical safety checklist; zero critical safety errors permitted | A dedicated observation check conducted during the chemical beard relaxer lab (Lesson 8) in which the instructor uses a 14-point checklist to verify that the student correctly dons PPE, reads the SDS, applies the product within the manufacturer's guidelines, sets and observes the timer, and completes the full neutralization rinse sequence without any chemical contact to eyes or mucous membranes. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-BARB33-06 Trade course
Barbershop Sanitation, Disinfection, and Infection Control
126 hr · $1,815 COMPLIMENTARY
This course develops the knowledge and hands-on skills required to maintain a safe, legally compliant barbershop environment through proper sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization of tools, surfaces, and workstations. Students learn the science of microbiology as it applies to barbering, state board infection-control standards, and the regulatory framework governing chemical and biological hazard management. Mastery of these competencies is directly tested on the state barber licensing examination and is required for legal practice.
Outcomes- Classify microorganisms by type and explain how each is transmitted in a barbershop setting, using correct terminology from standard cosmetology and barbering references.
- Select and apply EPA-registered disinfectants at manufacturer-specified dilutions for implements, surfaces, and equipment, following label directions and state board rules.
- Execute a complete pre-service, service, and post-service sanitation and disinfection protocol for tools, workstation, shampoo bowl, and barber chair that meets or exceeds state board standards.
- Store, handle, and dispose of single-use items, contaminated implements, and chemical waste in compliance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standards and applicable state regulations.
- Identify visible signs of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic skin and scalp conditions that require service refusal and explain the scope-of-practice boundary between a barber and a licensed healthcare provider.
- Demonstrate accurate recordkeeping for sanitation logs, chemical inventories, and client intake screening that satisfies a state board inspection.
Course text
This course develops the knowledge and hands-on skills required to maintain a safe, legally compliant barbershop environment through proper sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization of tools, surfaces, and workstations. Students learn the science of microbiology as it applies to barbering, state board infection-control standards, and the regulatory framework governing chemical and biological hazard management. Mastery of these competencies is directly tested on the state barber licensing examination and is required for legal practice.
How the course runs. 11 blocks: Microbiology Foundations for Barbers; Levels of Decontamination: Sanitation, Disinfection, and Sterilization; EPA-Registered Disinfectants: Chemistry, Selection, and Label Reading; OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards in the Barbershop; Chemical Safety and Hazard Communication (HazCom / GHS); Implement Disinfection Lab: Combs, Brushes, Shears, and Clippers; Workstation, Chair, and Shampoo Bowl Sanitation Protocols; Single-Use Items, Sharps Disposal, and Waste Management; Recognizing Contraindicated Skin and Scalp Conditions; State Board Inspection Readiness and Recordkeeping; Integrated Sanitation Simulation: Full-Service Day Protocol.
What competent looks like. Classify microorganisms by type and explain how each is transmitted in a barbershop setting, using correct terminology from standard cosmetology and barbering references. Select and apply EPA-registered disinfectants at manufacturer-specified dilutions for implements, surfaces, and equipment, following label directions and state board rules. Execute a complete pre-service, service, and post-service sanitation and disinfection protocol for tools, workstation, shampoo bowl, and barber chair that meets or exceeds state board standards. Store, handle, and dispose of single-use items, contaminated implements, and chemical waste in compliance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standards and applicable state regulations. Identify visible signs of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic skin and scalp conditions that require service refusal and explain the scope-of-practice boundary between a barber and a licensed healthcare provider. Demonstrate accurate recordkeeping for sanitation logs, chemical inventories, and client intake screening that satisfies a state board inspection.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microbiology Foundations for Barbers | 10 | theory | Students will classify bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites by structure, growth requirements, and mode of transmission relevant to barbershop services. |
| Milady's Standard Professional Barbering textbook (current edition), microbiology reference charts, blank cell-diagram worksheets, Quizlet class set or printed flashcard sheets | 10-question multiple-choice quiz on pathogen types and transmission; pass mark 75%. |
| 2 | Levels of Decontamination: Sanitation, Disinfection, and Sterilization | 10 | theory | Students will distinguish among sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization, match each level to the appropriate barbershop item or situation, and explain why sterilization is rarely required in barbering. |
| Milady's Standard Professional Barbering textbook, laminated item-card deck, graphic organizer worksheets, whiteboard | Exit ticket: five matching items pairing barbershop scenario to correct decontamination level; all five correct to pass. |
| 3 | EPA-Registered Disinfectants: Chemistry, Selection, and Label Reading | 12 | demo | Students will read an EPA-registered disinfectant label, calculate the correct dilution ratio, and explain the safety data sheet (SDS) sections relevant to barbershop use. |
| Printed EPA-registered disinfectant labels (e.g., a quaternary ammonium product), printed SDS documents, measuring cups and graduated cylinders, calculators, trade-math worksheets | Dilution calculation worksheet graded for accuracy; pass mark 80% correct calculations, with all PPE requirements correctly identified. |
| 4 | OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards in the Barbershop | 10 | theory | Students will explain the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requirements that apply to barbershops, including exposure determination, universal precautions, and post-exposure procedures. |
| OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard plain-language summary handout, gloves, sharps container (demonstration), Exposure Control Plan template, Milady's textbook | Role-play observed by instructor using a checklist of six required steps (glove application, wound management, client notification, documentation, exposure report, sharps disposal); all six steps demonstrated correctly to pass. |
| 5 | Chemical Safety and Hazard Communication (HazCom / GHS) | 8 | theory | Students will correctly interpret GHS pictograms and SDS documents for barbershop chemicals and describe safe storage, ventilation, and spill-response procedures. |
| GHS pictogram poster and matching worksheet, supply cabinet photograph handout, PPE (gloves, safety glasses), sample incident report form, SDS binders, Milady's textbook | GHS pictogram matching worksheet; pass mark 80% (minimum seven of nine pictograms correctly identified with hazard description). |
| 6 | Implement Disinfection Lab: Combs, Brushes, Shears, and Clippers | 14 | lab | Students will perform a complete pre-service and post-service disinfection procedure for combs, brushes, shears, and detachable clipper blades using an EPA-registered wet disinfectant, following all state board-compliant steps in correct sequence. |
| Combs, brushes, shears, clippers with detachable blades, straight-razor handles, EPA-registered disinfectant and labeled wet-disinfectant container, tongs, soap, paper towels, covered dry storage container, clipper oil, procedural step cards, competency checklist | Instructor competency checklist: all steps performed in correct sequence with required contact time observed; pass mark — no critical steps omitted (critical = debris removal, correct contact time, tong use, proper storage); two or fewer minor sequencing errors. |
| 7 | Workstation, Chair, and Shampoo Bowl Sanitation Protocols | 12 | practice | Students will execute a full pre-service and post-service sanitation protocol for a barber workstation, barber chair, and shampoo bowl that eliminates visible debris, applies correct disinfectant contact time, and leaves surfaces ready for the next client. |
| Fluorescent tracer powder, UV flashlight, EPA-registered surface disinfectant, spray bottles, paper towels, neck strips, clean towels, broom, dustpan, barber chair, shampoo bowl, state-board-style inspection checklist | UV light re-inspection after cleaning: zero visible contamination remaining on chair headrest and armrests, workstation counter, and shampoo bowl interior; peer audit checklist score 90% or higher on a 20-item list. |
| 8 | Single-Use Items, Sharps Disposal, and Waste Management | 8 | demo | Students will correctly identify single-use items that must be discarded after one client, demonstrate safe razor blade removal and disposal into a sharps container, and describe proper disposal pathways for regulated and non-regulated waste in a barbershop. |
| Assorted single-use and reusable items, blade-change tool, practice razors, approved sharps container, red and green response cards, waste stream flowchart worksheet, Milady's textbook | Safe blade removal competency check: five consecutive correct removals with zero finger contact on blade edge observed by instructor; flowchart graded for all four waste streams correctly routed — pass requires 100% accuracy on blade removal and all four waste pathways correct. |
| 9 | Recognizing Contraindicated Skin and Scalp Conditions | 14 | theory | Students will identify the visual signs of bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic skin and scalp conditions that require service refusal, and correctly describe the scope-of-practice boundary between barber observation and medical diagnosis. |
| Milady's Standard Professional Barbering textbook (skin and scalp disorder chapter), clinical photograph handout, service-refusal decision-tree worksheet, whiteboard for seminar notes | 20-item image-identification quiz (students write condition name, pathogen type, and serve/refuse decision for each photograph); pass mark 75% with mandatory 100% accuracy on the five most contagious conditions (tinea capitis, pediculosis capitis, impetigo, active herpes lesion, and open infected wound). |
| 10 | State Board Inspection Readiness and Recordkeeping | 14 | field | Students will prepare a barbershop workstation and back bar for a simulated state board inspection, maintain a complete sanitation log for one week, and accurately complete a client intake screening form. |
| State board inspection form (agency-published or facsimile), daily sanitation log template, client intake screening form template, EPA-registered disinfectant, correctly set up workstation and back bar | Mock inspection score: zero critical violations (defined as unlabeled chemical containers, implements stored wet, no disinfectant in container) and sanitation log complete for all five days with no blank entries; pass requires zero critical violations and a complete log. |
| 11 | Integrated Sanitation Simulation: Full-Service Day Protocol | 14 | lab | Students will execute every sanitation and infection-control step required across a simulated full barbershop service day — opening setup through closing shutdown — without prompting, meeting state board standards at each checkpoint. |
| Full barbershop workstation, mannequin heads, EPA-registered disinfectant, all barbering implements (combs, brushes, shears, clippers, straight-razor handles), single-use supplies (neck strips, cotton, gloves, blades), sharps container, sanitation log, opening/closing protocol checklist, timer | Instructor scores opening, mid-service turnover, and closing shutdown on a 30-point protocol checklist (10 points each); pass mark 80% overall with zero critical safety violations (used blade exposed, no disinfectant present, contaminated implement returned to station without treatment). |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitation and Infection Control Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% correct (38 of 50 questions) | A 50-question multiple-choice written examination covering microbiology classification, levels of decontamination, EPA-registered disinfectant selection and dilution, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen requirements, GHS hazard communication, contraindicated conditions, and state board recordkeeping requirements. Question formats mirror the style used on state barber licensing written examinations, directly mapping to the infection control and safety content areas tested on the credential exam. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| End-of-Course Disinfection and Sanitation Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Pass — zero critical violations; no more than two minor errors on a 25-item competency checklist | Each student performs a complete, unassisted implement disinfection sequence (combs, brushes, detachable clipper blade, and straight-razor handle) and a full workstation and chair turnover while the instructor scores performance on a state-board-style 25-item competency checklist. Critical violations (exposed blade, incorrect contact time, implements stored wet) result in automatic failure and one opportunity to remediate and retest within the grading period. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Sanitation and Chemical Safety Lab Log | Log | 15% | Pass — all entries present and accurate; no falsified dates or blank mandatory fields | Students submit the complete daily sanitation log maintained throughout the course, including disinfectant product name, EPA registration number, dilution ratio used, preparation and discard dates and times, and student initials for each entry. The log is reviewed for completeness, internal consistency, and correct discard frequency relative to product label directions; a missing or falsified entry constitutes a failure requiring a make-up log period. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| State Board Inspection Simulation Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | Pass — zero critical violations; total score 80% or higher on the 30-item inspection form | Instructor conducts a mock state board inspection of each student's fully prepared workstation and back bar using a 30-item standardized inspection form modeled on state board criteria, scoring for labeled containers, correct disinfectant concentration (verified by test strip), covered storage, sharps container presence and correct placement, single-use items properly staged, and completed and current sanitation log. Any critical violation (defined in the course rubric as a condition that would cause immediate failure on an actual state board inspection) requires a mandatory 24-hour remediation and retest. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-BARB33-07 Capstone
Barbering Capstone Project: Integrated Client Service Portfolio and Defense
144 hr · $1,440 COMPLIMENTARY
Students synthesize every skill acquired across the program—haircuts, fades, shaving, facial-hair design, and sanitation protocol—into a single documented, end-to-end client service project completed under instructor supervision. The capstone culminates in a formal portfolio submission and an oral defense in which students explain their technical decisions, safety practices, and professional judgment to a panel, mirroring the real-world accountability expected of a licensed barber.
Outcomes- Plan and execute a complete multi-service barbering appointment—consultation, scalp and skin assessment, haircut, fade, straight-razor shave or beard design, and post-service sanitation—meeting the infection-control and technical standards required for state board practical evaluation.
- Construct a professional portfolio containing annotated before-and-after photographs, completed client consultation records, signed infection-control checklists, and a written reflection for each capstone service, demonstrating documentation habits expected in a licensed shop.
- Apply trade mathematics—including product dilution calculations, service timing, and revenue estimation—accurately and without error in all written records submitted with the portfolio.
- Identify and correct at least three common technical or safety errors introduced into a peer's workstation or procedure during a structured peer-review exercise, citing the relevant sanitation standard or safety principle by name.
- Defend all technical and safety decisions made during the capstone service in a structured oral examination lasting at least fifteen minutes, answering panel questions with clear, accurate reasoning tied to state board exam content areas.
Course text
Students synthesize every skill acquired across the program—haircuts, fades, shaving, facial-hair design, and sanitation protocol—into a single documented, end-to-end client service project completed under instructor supervision. The capstone culminates in a formal portfolio submission and an oral defense in which students explain their technical decisions, safety practices, and professional judgment to a panel, mirroring the real-world accountability expected of a licensed barber.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Capstone Planning: Client Consultation, Service Design, and Documentation Setup; Integrated Service Execution: Full Multi-Service Client Appointment Under Supervision; Portfolio Assembly and Peer Review: Documentation, Reflection, and Error Analysis; Oral Defense: Technical Justification and Licensing Readiness Demonstration.
What competent looks like. Plan and execute a complete multi-service barbering appointment—consultation, scalp and skin assessment, haircut, fade, straight-razor shave or beard design, and post-service sanitation—meeting the infection-control and technical standards required for state board practical evaluation. Construct a professional portfolio containing annotated before-and-after photographs, completed client consultation records, signed infection-control checklists, and a written reflection for each capstone service, demonstrating documentation habits expected in a licensed shop. Apply trade mathematics—including product dilution calculations, service timing, and revenue estimation—accurately and without error in all written records submitted with the portfolio. Identify and correct at least three common technical or safety errors introduced into a peer's workstation or procedure during a structured peer-review exercise, citing the relevant sanitation standard or safety principle by name. Defend all technical and safety decisions made during the capstone service in a structured oral examination lasting at least fifteen minutes, answering panel questions with clear, accurate reasoning tied to state board exam content areas.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capstone Planning: Client Consultation, Service Design, and Documentation Setup | 30 | theory | Students will design a complete multi-service barbering plan for an assigned capstone client, produce a written consultation record that documents scalp and skin findings, select appropriate tools and products with written justification, and calculate service time and product dilutions accurately. |
| Standardized client intake and health-screening forms, blank service-design brief template, scientific calculator, product Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all disinfectants in use, current state board candidate handbook (infection-control and practical exam sections), whiteboard for class critique | Instructor reviews each completed consultation record and service-design brief against a 10-point rubric; student must score 8 out of 10 or higher, with zero errors in dilution calculations and no scope-of-practice violations, before advancing to Lesson 2. |
| 2 | Integrated Service Execution: Full Multi-Service Client Appointment Under Supervision | 60 | practice | Students will perform the complete planned client service—pre-service sanitation setup, consultation check, haircut, fade, and either a straight-razor shave or facial-hair design service—on a live model, meeting the technical and infection-control standards specified in the state board practical exam criteria. |
| Barber chair and workstation, full set of personal barbering tools (clippers, guards, shears, straight razors, strops, brushes), EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant in correctly labeled containers, clean and soiled linen bins, draping capes and neck strips, shaving cream/lather brush/pre-shave and post-shave products, SDS binder, state board practical rubric, digital camera or smartphone for photographs, printed client record from Lesson 1 | Instructor scores each service segment on the state-board-style practical rubric (pre-service sanitation, cut technique, fade blend, shave or beard design, post-service sanitation); student must achieve a passing score of 75% or higher on every segment—not an average—with zero deductions in the critical-safety category (e.g., blood exposure protocol, disinfectant use), matching typical state board pass standards. |
| 3 | Portfolio Assembly and Peer Review: Documentation, Reflection, and Error Analysis | 30 | lab | Students will assemble a complete professional portfolio containing all required capstone documents, write a structured self-reflection for each service performed, and identify and explain at least three safety or technical errors deliberately embedded in a peer's workstation or sample client record during a structured error-analysis exercise. |
| Portfolio binders or digital submission platform, all documents produced in Lessons 1 and 2, peer-review rubric, three instructor-prepared error-analysis stations with labeled problems and answer key available after exercise, current state board candidate handbook for reference during error analysis | Instructor reviews the assembled portfolio against the rubric; all required sections must be present, self-reflections must reference at least one specific safety or technical principle per service, and all dilution calculations must be correct—any missing required section or calculation error requires revision before the oral defense. Peer-review comments are graded for specificity (minimum three substantive comments required to pass this activity). Error-analysis worksheets must correctly identify all three planted errors with accurate citations to the applicable standard. |
| 4 | Oral Defense: Technical Justification and Licensing Readiness Demonstration | 24 | field | Students will defend their capstone portfolio and all technical and safety decisions made during the integrated service appointment before a two-person panel for a minimum of fifteen minutes, responding accurately to questions drawn from state board exam content areas including infection control, client safety, tool use, and professional ethics. |
| Completed and approved capstone portfolio (physical or digital), defense rubric, panel question bank organized by state board exam content area, timer, private defense room or sectioned classroom space, pens and lined paper for written self-assessment | Panel scores the defense on a rubric with four domains (opening clarity, technical accuracy of answers, safety and scope-of-practice reasoning, professional communication); student must achieve 75% or higher in each domain—not an average—to pass the defense. Any answer that recommends an action that would create a direct client safety risk (e.g., using an implement on broken skin without proper precaution) results in automatic failure of that domain regardless of overall score, and a remediation conference is required before the student advances to Course 8. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capstone Integrated Service Project | Project | 60% | 75% or higher on every segment of the state-board-style practical rubric with zero deductions in the critical-safety category | The student performs a complete, live, multi-service barbering appointment—pre-service sanitation setup, client consultation, haircut, fade, and straight-razor shave or beard design, followed by full post-service sanitation—on a live model in the program's clinic area. The instructor scores each discrete segment of the service using a rubric modeled on the state board practical examination criteria, and the completed client record with before-and-after photographs is submitted as the foundation of the portfolio. Meets specification · Within estimate · Workmanship · Safety · Documentation |
| Professional Portfolio Submission | Portfolio | 20% | All required sections present, zero math errors in dilution calculations, and all self-reflections citing at least one specific safety or technical principle per service | The student submits a bound or digital portfolio containing the client intake and health-screening form, service-design brief, signed infection-control checklists, annotated before-and-after photographs, dilution-calculation worksheets, and a written self-reflection for each service performed; the portfolio is reviewed by the instructor against a published rubric before the student is cleared to sit the oral defense. Any missing required section or uncorrected calculation error must be remediated within three business days. Completeness · Organization · Evidence quality |
| Oral Defense Before Panel | Oral / panel | 20% | 75% or higher in each of the four rubric domains (opening clarity, technical accuracy, safety and scope-of-practice reasoning, professional communication) with no direct client-safety errors in any answer | The student presents and defends the completed portfolio before a two-person panel for a minimum of fifteen minutes, including a five-minute opening statement and responses to at least ten questions drawn from state board exam content areas covering infection control, client safety, tool use, contraindication recognition, and professional ethics. Passing this defense is the final program gate before the student advances to Course 8: Clinical Practicum. Explains decisions · Answers technical questions · Professional communication |
HLT-BARB33-08 Externship / clinical
Clinical Practicum: Supervised Barbershop Externship
216 hr · $865 COMPLIMENTARY
Students complete 216 supervised hours at an approved barbershop worksite, applying every technical and professional skill learned in the classroom under the direct oversight of a licensed barber supervisor. Competencies are evaluated through employer ratings, client service records, and a structured field log that documents haircuts, fades, shaves, facial hair services, and sanitation procedures performed on real clients. This course satisfies the practical-hour requirements many state boards mandate before a candidate may sit for the state barber licensing examination.
Outcomes- Perform haircuts, fades, shaves, and facial hair services on paying clients at a professional standard acceptable to a licensed supervising barber.
- Execute pre-service and post-service sanitation and disinfection procedures on all tools, implements, and work surfaces in compliance with the worksite's state board-required infection-control protocols.
- Demonstrate professional communication and client consultation skills, including intake, contraindication screening, and service recommendations, on every client encounter.
- Complete accurate, legible service records and a field log documenting at least 80 client services across required service categories by the end of 216 hours.
- Respond appropriately to a workplace safety event—including a sharps exposure or chemical spill—by following the worksite's written emergency and exposure procedures.
- Receive a satisfactory or above rating on all domains of the employer competency evaluation form at the midpoint and final review.
Course text
Students complete 216 supervised hours at an approved barbershop worksite, applying every technical and professional skill learned in the classroom under the direct oversight of a licensed barber supervisor. Competencies are evaluated through employer ratings, client service records, and a structured field log that documents haircuts, fades, shaves, facial hair services, and sanitation procedures performed on real clients. This course satisfies the practical-hour requirements many state boards mandate before a candidate may sit for the state barber licensing examination.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Worksite Orientation, Safety Protocols, and Professional Standards; Client Services: Haircuts, Fades, and Scalp Treatments; Shaving, Facial Hair Design, and Chemical Services Observation; Infection Control Compliance, Professional Operations, and Exit Evaluation.
What competent looks like. Perform haircuts, fades, shaves, and facial hair services on paying clients at a professional standard acceptable to a licensed supervising barber. Execute pre-service and post-service sanitation and disinfection procedures on all tools, implements, and work surfaces in compliance with the worksite's state board-required infection-control protocols. Demonstrate professional communication and client consultation skills, including intake, contraindication screening, and service recommendations, on every client encounter. Complete accurate, legible service records and a field log documenting at least 80 client services across required service categories by the end of 216 hours. Respond appropriately to a workplace safety event—including a sharps exposure or chemical spill—by following the worksite's written emergency and exposure procedures. Receive a satisfactory or above rating on all domains of the employer competency evaluation form at the midpoint and final review.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worksite Orientation, Safety Protocols, and Professional Standards | 18 | field | Students will identify the worksite's emergency procedures, infection-control policies, scope-of-practice boundaries, and professional conduct expectations before serving any client. |
| Worksite employee handbook, state board infection-control rules (printed copy), OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens fact sheet, field log binder, personal tool kit, PPE (gloves, eye protection), SDS binder at worksite | Supervisor signs the completed onboarding checklist and verifies the student can verbally describe the steps for an exposure incident and a chemical spill; all items checked off before the student may perform any client service — pass requires 100% checklist completion and supervisor sign-off. |
| 2 | Client Services: Haircuts, Fades, and Scalp Treatments | 90 | field | Students will independently perform client consultations and execute haircut and fade services on a minimum of 45 clients, meeting the supervising barber's quality standard for finish and safety. |
| Full personal tool kit (clippers, guards, shears, combs, brushes), client draping supplies, disinfectant solution and wet sanitizer jar, field log service record forms, mannequin head for correction sessions, supervising barber's posted service menu | Supervisor rates each service on a 4-point rubric (consultation, technical execution, client safety, sanitation); student must achieve a rating of 3 or higher on at least 80% of logged services in this category by the end of the lesson block — supervisor initials each entry. |
| 3 | Shaving, Facial Hair Design, and Chemical Services Observation | 72 | field | Students will safely perform straight-razor shaves and beard/mustache design services on a minimum of 20 clients, and document observation of any chemical relaxer or color service performed by a licensed barber at the site. |
| Straight razors (professional shavette or hollow-ground), strop or blade disposal sharps container, shaving brush, shaving cream/soap, hot-towel cabinet, beard trimmer, facial hair design combs, observation forms, field log binder, PPE | Supervisor rates each shave and facial hair service on the same 4-point rubric; student must average 3.0 or higher across all rated shave services, and all three chemical-service observation forms must be complete and signed by the supervising barber — incomplete forms receive no credit. |
| 4 | Infection Control Compliance, Professional Operations, and Exit Evaluation | 36 | field | Students will demonstrate consistent, independent execution of state board-required sanitation and disinfection procedures throughout every service shift and complete the exit employer evaluation with a satisfactory rating on all domains. |
| State board infection-control rule reference card, disinfectant solution test strips, station sanitation audit form, field log binder, employer competency evaluation form (program-issued), business operations materials provided by worksite | All sanitation audit forms complete and supervisor-initialed with zero unresolved out-of-compliance items; employer competency evaluation form scores 'satisfactory' (meets standard) or higher on every domain — any 'unsatisfactory' domain requires a written remediation plan and a second evaluation within 10 scheduled worksite hours. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Competency Evaluation (Midpoint and Final) | Clinical evaluation | 70% | Rating of 'satisfactory' or higher on every domain of both the midpoint (at approximately 108 hours) and final evaluation; any 'unsatisfactory' at final requires a remediation plan and re-evaluation before course credit is awarded. | The supervising barber completes the program-issued competency evaluation form twice during the externship, rating the student on six domains: client consultation and communication, technical execution of haircuts and fades, technical execution of shaving and facial hair services, infection control and sanitation compliance, professional conduct and punctuality, and response to corrective feedback. Ratings and comments are reviewed face-to-face with the student and co-signed by both parties; completed forms are submitted to the program director within five business days of each evaluation date. Competency · Safety · Attendance · Conduct · Initiative |
| Field Log and Service Record Portfolio | Log | 30% | Minimum 216 documented worksite hours with supervisor-initialed daily time sheets; minimum 80 total client service records across all required categories (haircuts/fades, shaves, facial hair design); all sanitation audit forms complete; average supervisor rubric score of 3.0 or higher across all rated services — portfolios missing any required section receive an Incomplete until deficiencies are corrected. | The student maintains a bound field log for the entire externship, with a daily time sheet, individual service record forms, skill-review session notes, sanitation audit forms, and chemical-service observation forms filed in labeled sections. At the conclusion of 216 hours, the complete log is submitted to the program director for review; the log is evaluated for completeness, accuracy, legibility, and evidence that the student progressed in technical skill and professional judgment across the placement, as indicated by improving rubric scores and increasingly detailed self-reflections. Complete · Verified |
HLT-BARB33-09 Exam prep
State Barber License Certification Exam Preparation
60 hr · $600 COMPLIMENTARY
This course systematically reviews every content domain tested on the state barber licensing examination—written theory and practical skills—so students can sit the credential with confidence and legal standing. Lessons are organized to mirror the structure of the exam, moving from foundational science and law through hands-on mock practical evaluations. Passing the state barber license examination is the gateway to lawful practice; this course treats that standard as the minimum acceptable outcome.
Outcomes- Recall and apply barbering theory—anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, chemistry of products, and electricity principles—at the level required to pass the written portion of the state barber licensing examination.
- Demonstrate correct infection control, sanitation, and disinfection procedures in a timed practical setting consistent with state board rubric requirements.
- Execute the practical skills tested by the state board—haircut, fade, straight-razor shave, and facial hair design—within the time limits and quality standards described in the official candidate handbook.
- Identify and correctly answer questions covering state barber law, scope of practice, salon/shop regulations, and professional ethics as they appear on the written examination.
- Apply test-taking strategies—time management, elimination of wrong answers, reading questions precisely—to written examination simulations, achieving a score at or above the state passing threshold on every full mock exam.
- Complete a full-length mock practical examination graded on the official state board rubric, receiving a passing score from the evaluating instructor.
Course text
This course systematically reviews every content domain tested on the state barber licensing examination—written theory and practical skills—so students can sit the credential with confidence and legal standing. Lessons are organized to mirror the structure of the exam, moving from foundational science and law through hands-on mock practical evaluations. Passing the state barber license examination is the gateway to lawful practice; this course treats that standard as the minimum acceptable outcome.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Written Exam Domain Review: Sciences, Chemistry, and Law; Practical Exam Skills Review: Haircut, Fade, and Scalp Treatments; Practical Exam Skills Review: Straight-Razor Shave and Facial Hair Design; Full Mock Certification Examinations: Written and Practical.
What competent looks like. Recall and apply barbering theory—anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, chemistry of products, and electricity principles—at the level required to pass the written portion of the state barber licensing examination. Demonstrate correct infection control, sanitation, and disinfection procedures in a timed practical setting consistent with state board rubric requirements. Execute the practical skills tested by the state board—haircut, fade, straight-razor shave, and facial hair design—within the time limits and quality standards described in the official candidate handbook. Identify and correctly answer questions covering state barber law, scope of practice, salon/shop regulations, and professional ethics as they appear on the written examination. Apply test-taking strategies—time management, elimination of wrong answers, reading questions precisely—to written examination simulations, achieving a score at or above the state passing threshold on every full mock exam. Complete a full-length mock practical examination graded on the official state board rubric, receiving a passing score from the evaluating instructor.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Written Exam Domain Review: Sciences, Chemistry, and Law | 18 | theory | Students will correctly answer questions covering bacteriology and infection control science, hair and scalp anatomy and physiology, chemical properties of barbering products, electricity and light therapy basics, and state barber law and professional regulations at a level consistent with the state board written examination passing standard. |
| State barber candidate information bulletin (current edition), state barber law and rules text, accredited exam-prep question bank (print or licensed digital platform), whiteboards or dry-erase paddles, domain tracking worksheets, Milady's Standard Professional Barbering textbook (current edition) | Students must score 75% or higher on each 50-question domain quiz; any student below 75% on a domain receives targeted re-teaching and must re-quiz on that domain before Lesson 3. |
| 2 | Practical Exam Skills Review: Haircut, Fade, and Scalp Treatments | 14 | practice | Students will perform a clipper-and-comb haircut and a skin-fade on a mannequin or live model within the time limit specified in the state candidate handbook, meeting every criterion on the official or instructor-adapted practical evaluation rubric. |
| Clipper set (multiple guard sizes), shears, straight razor (for outline), taper comb, barber comb, drape, neck strip, mannequin heads on adjustable clamp stands, live model (optional), official or board-equivalent practical rubric, timer, disinfectant solution and wet sanitizer, workstation cleanup supplies, Milady's Standard Professional Barbering textbook | Student must complete the sequence within the board time limit AND earn a score of 75% or higher on all rubric categories; any category scored 'unsatisfactory' triggers a mandatory remediation repeat before Lesson 4. |
| 3 | Practical Exam Skills Review: Straight-Razor Shave and Facial Hair Design | 14 | practice | Students will perform a full straight-razor shave and a facial hair design/beard trim on a mannequin or live model within the time limit specified in the state candidate handbook, demonstrating safe razor handling, correct preparation and finishing steps, and all client-protection measures scored on the official practical rubric. |
| Straight razor or shavette with fresh single-use blades, shaving brush, shaving cream/soap, hot towel cabinet or heated towel supply, pre-shave oil, alum block or liquid, after-shave balm, mannequin heads or balloon practice heads, foam shaving medium, comb, small scissors, beard trimmer, live model (optional), sharps disposal container, official or board-equivalent practical rubric, timer, disinfectant solution | Student must complete the shave and beard design within the board time limit AND score 75% or higher on all rubric categories, with zero safety violations (any unsafe blade handling is an automatic fail requiring full lesson repeat). |
| 4 | Full Mock Certification Examinations: Written and Practical | 14 | lab | Students will complete a full-length simulated written examination and a full-length simulated practical examination under conditions that replicate the actual state board exam environment, achieving passing scores on both components and identifying any remaining gaps before their scheduled exam date. |
| Licensed exam-prep question bank (full-length test, sealed until exam begins), scratch paper, pencils, answer sheets, timer, clinic floor with fully stocked barber stations, official practical rubric, mannequin heads, all practical service tools and supplies listed in Lessons 2 and 3, state candidate information bulletin (for reference during debrief only), personal study plan template | Students must score at or above the state board passing threshold on the mock written exam AND earn 75% or higher on all rubric categories of the mock practical; any student who does not meet both standards receives a written remediation plan and the opportunity for one additional mock exam session before their board date. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Mock Certification Examination (Written and Practical) | Mock certification exam | 100% | Written component: score at or above the state board published passing threshold (or 75% if the state threshold is not published in the candidate handbook); Practical component: 75% or higher on every category of the official or board-equivalent rubric with zero automatic-fail safety violations; both components must be passed independently. | Students complete a timed, closed-book written examination under board-replication conditions followed by a timed practical examination covering haircut, fade, straight-razor shave, and beard design, with the instructor acting as examiner using the official rubric and no coaching. Results are used to certify readiness for the state board examination and to generate a final individual remediation plan for any student who does not yet meet both passing standards. Score · Time management |
Program completion
External credential: State Barber License
Students sit the State Barber License examination administered by their state barber licensing board, which typically includes written (theory) and practical components covering barbering knowledge and hands-on skills. Pass standard: Credential issued by the body.
Back to Barbering · How the school gets authority to award these credentials
