A bottle on a Washington barber's back bar holds a poisonous substance. Its contents are on the label. What more must the bottle show?WAC 308-20-110(1)(h)
A cut bleeds during a Washington haircut. Once the gloves are on, which two things does the state's sanitation rule have done to the wound?WAC 308-20-110(17)(c) and (d)
A defect of the hair shaft leaves thickened or weak points, called nodes, at which the hair breaks off easily. What is the name of this hair condition?Wikipedia, Trichorrhexis nodosa
A Washington barber's shears have been washed and rinsed. The disinfectant used next must have demonstrated which three kinds of activity?WAC 308-20-110(7)(a)(iv)
As a client ages, gray hairs appear among the rest. What is happening in a hair when it grays?Wikipedia, Hair (Natural color)
Besides an EPA-registered disinfectant solution, which methods does Washington approve for disinfecting tools once debris is cleaned off?WAC 308-20-110(6)(b)
The bleeding is dealt with and the gloves come off. What does a Washington barber do last, before going back to the haircut?WAC 308-20-110(17)(i)
Show all 60 questions (53 more)
Scientific concepts, continued
Fungi, fungal spores, viruses, vegetative bacteria and bacterial spores: which EPA product type is used to eliminate or destroy all of them?EPA, What Are Antimicrobial Pesticides? (Sterilant)
How many layers make up the wall of an artery, by the SEER training module on blood vessels?NCI SEER Training Modules, Classification and Structure of Blood Vessels
Leftover relaxer, a flammable spray and other harmful waste pile up in a Washington shop. How must such waste be disposed of?WAC 308-20-110(5)(b)
The nervous system acts in seconds. Over what span is the action of the endocrine system measured?NCI SEER Training Modules, Introduction to the Endocrine System
pH is a logarithmic scale. What does a difference of one pH unit amount to?Wikipedia, pH
Washington inspectors find used single-use articles lying at a barber's station. How does the state's sanitation rule read their presence there?WAC 308-20-110(6)(e)
When are disposable protective gloves thrown away in a Washington barbershop?WAC 308-20-110(6)(f)
Where a sink for washing is not feasible, what does the federal bloodborne pathogens rule have an employer provide?29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(iv)
Which of these cranial bones comes as a pair?NCI SEER Training Modules, Axial Skeleton
Which part of the peripheral nervous system goes to the skin and muscles and is involved in conscious activities?NCI SEER Training Modules, The Peripheral Nervous System
Which two superficial muscles of the neck are singled out in the SEER training module on the head and neck?NCI SEER Training Modules, Muscles of the Head and Neck
Implements and equipment 5
A Washington barber finishes a cut and has not yet cleaned the comb and shears. Where are such used implements kept?WAC 308-20-110(9)(b)
A Washington barber is sectioning hair and needs both hands. Where may the clips not be put in the meantime?WAC 308-20-110(7)(c)
Combs and brushes have no sharp edges or points. How does Washington have a barber disinfect them?WAC 308-20-110(7)(b)
Washington's sanitation rule names one instrument under prohibited instruments or practices. Which is it?WAC 308-20-110(16)
What may the storage drawers for cleaned and disinfected tools hold in a Washington shop?WAC 308-20-110(9)(d)
Hair care services 20
A client with a parasitic infestation has been in a Washington shop. What must then be cleaned and disinfected?WAC 308-20-110(1)(f)
A color or relaxer service is given in Washington. Which directions set the safety procedures the barber must follow?WAC 308-20-110(4)(a)
A multiple use cape goes on a Washington client. What must keep it from the skin of the neck, and for how long?WAC 308-20-110(2)(a)
A scalp manipulation begins with light strokes. In Swedish massage, which strokes warm up the muscle before deeper work?Wikipedia, Effleurage
Barbers have a name for how the hair is designed at the back and sides, from the edge up to the top. What is it?Wikipedia, Regular haircut (Elements)
Hair has not been lightened enough before a vivid color goes on. Which undertones can muddy the final result?Wikipedia, Hair coloring (Alternative color)
How does a deep cleansing shampoo, sold as clarifying or oil control, differ from other shampoos?Wikipedia, Shampoo (Specialized shampoos)
In blowdry styling, what does an airflow concentrator do on a hair dryer?Wikipedia, Hair dryer (Function)
In natural hair styling, how are cornrows made?Wikipedia, Cornrows
In wet styling, how is a finger wave formed?Wikipedia, Finger wave
Outlining a two line haircut, the standard taper cut, follows which path?Wikipedia, Regular haircut (Edging)
Shampoo trays and bowls see many heads in a day. How often does Washington have them cleaned and disinfected?WAC 308-20-110(11)(b)
Wefts of added hair are often integrated by the track and sew method. What are the tracks, usually?Wikipedia, Artificial hair integrations (Methods of integration)
What is another name for hair relaxing with a strong alkali?Wikipedia, Relaxer (General usage)
When is a leave-in conditioner applied, and is it rinsed out?Wikipedia, Hair conditioner (Types)
When the hairline at the nape is blocked off, in which patterns can its lower edge be shaped?Wikipedia, Regular haircut (Edging)
Where chemical services are given, a Washington location needs a dispensing sink for mixing chemicals. How must that sink be labeled?WAC 308-20-110(1)(a)
Where do soiled cloth capes go in a Washington shop, and what is the time limit?WAC 308-20-110(14)
Which physical variables shape the result of a permanent wave?Wikipedia, Permanent wave (Technical considerations)
Which two techniques can blend the upper sides of a taper cut?Wikipedia, Regular haircut (Siding)
Facial hair and skin care services 7
A client asks for a goatee. Which areas carry hair in that style?Wikipedia, Goatee
After a shave, what are alum blocks and styptic pencils used for?Wikipedia, Shaving (Cuts)
For which colors of light therapy is there moderate evidence in treating mild acne?Wikipedia, Light therapy (Acne vulgaris)
In a facial massage, which type of tapotement uses just the fingertips?Wikipedia, Tapotement (Types)
In electrotherapy, high-frequency treatment is delivered through which kind of electrode?Wikipedia, Cosmetic electrotherapy (High-frequency treatment)
What does lubricating and moisturizing the skin before a shave help prevent?Wikipedia, Shaving (Wet shaving)
Where do sideburns grow?Wikipedia, Sideburns
Washington law and rules (extra) 10
A barber student leaves school before finishing. When do the certified training hours stop counting toward an initial Washington license?WAC 308-20-090(7)
A barbershop holds a salon/shop license from the Department of Licensing. After how long does that license run out?RCW 18.16.170(1)(a)
A hearing finds a violation of Washington's cosmetology and barbering chapter. How large a fine may the director set for each violation?RCW 18.16.210(3)
A wallet-sized pocket card comes with a Washington operator's credentials. May it be posted at the work station in place of the original?WAC 308-20-550(6)
How much of the total curriculum hours may a Washington barber student earn in a licensed salon/shop under an approved contract?WAC 308-20-091(1)
State law lists hours of school training for each license. Which figure is the barber's?RCW 18.16.020 (curriculum)
Twenty-five barber students enroll in one Washington school class. What is the largest number one instructor may have?WAC 308-20-090(1)
Washington lets a licensed barber serve placebound clients away from a shop. Who counts as placebound?RCW 18.16.190
Which practice do Washington's cosmetology statute and rules neither prohibit nor restrict?WAC 308-20-025
Which service is outside the practice of barbering as RCW 18.16.020 defines it?RCW 18.16.020 (practice of barbering)
How this list was compiled: Outline: the National Barber Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin, effective June 1, 2025 and revised September 1, 2025, which the examination provider named on the Washington State Department of Licensing's cosmetology page links for the Barber Written examination (https://provexam.com/test-information/washington-department-of-licensing; bulletin at https://prov-testing.github.io/nic_cib/barber_national_theory_english.html). Facts: chapter 308-20 WAC and chapter 18.16 RCW on the Washington State Legislature's site (https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=308-20 and https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.16); the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, in the eCFR; an EPA page on antimicrobial products; NCI SEER training modules on anatomy; and Wikipedia articles on hair, hair care products, haircuts, hair chemistry, shaving, massage and electrotherapy. Each question names its rule, section or page and links to it. Read 2026-10-12. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the rule, statute and page text. Nothing comes from the examination, a testing vendor, a textbook, a prep course or a question pool.
How it works
An unofficial practice test for the WA state board of barber licensing: sixty of our questions on the national barber theory test the Washington State Department of Licensing requires. It is not affiliated with the Department or NIC.
Read the full guide
What the Washington barber written exam covers
Washington licenses barbers through the Department of Licensing, not a board of barbers. Its written test is the National Barber Theory Examination: 60 items in 90 minutes, 50 of them weighted (bulletin effective June 1, 2025; opened October 12, 2026). Scientific concepts are 35 percent, implements and equipment 10, hair care services 40, facial hair and skin care 15.
Washington's rules in the bank
Fifty questions follow those four domains, written from WAC 308-20-110 wherever the state's safety and sanitation rule covers the line. Ten more ask chapter 18.16 RCW and chapter 308-20 WAC on the barber license; the national test has no state law.
A blood spill ends with gloves off and hands washed with soap and water before the service resumes (WAC 308-20-110).
Used tools wait in a labeled drawer or container at the work station; clean ones are stored separately (WAC 308-20-110).
A Washington barber school curriculum is at least 1,000 hours, and permanent waving is not in the practice of barbering (RCW 18.16.020).
Questions and answers
Is there a free practice test for the WA state board of barber exam?
Yes. Every question here is free and names the Washington rule or public page behind its answer. They are our own questions; none comes from the examination.
What is the passing score on the Washington barber written exam?
A scaled score of 75, on the written and on the performance examination (WAC 308-20-120). A scaled score is not a share of questions right.
How long are Washington barber exam results good for?
Three years from the date of the examination. An applicant may take an examination no more than once a day (WAC 308-20-120 and 308-20-122).
Does this cover the Washington barber practical exam?
No. The performance examination is hands-on. Also left out, for want of a public source: cutting technique for each hair type, the strokes of a shave and the steps of a facial.