AL Barber study plan
AL Barber · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Sanitation, Sterilization, and Safety Practices
Define and distinguish sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization, and state which is required for each tool category
Classify 20 common barbering implements as porous/non-porous and list the correct decontamination method for each
Sequence the steps for cleaning and disinfecting clippers, shears, and straight razors in the correct order
Identify the four types of potentially infectious organisms and the diseases each can transmit in a barbershop
List the safety, fire, and electrical codes a barbershop must satisfy, including storage of chemicals and disposal of sharps
Your checkpoint
A one-page tool-to-method chart covering 20 implements, self-quizzed to 90% accuracy
Sanitation, Sterilization, and Safety Practices & Alabama Barbering Law, Rules, and Professional Ethics
Demonstrate the hand-washing and glove protocol in order, and state the minimum time for each step
Explain universal precautions and when to refuse service on health grounds
Summarize Alabama licensing requirements for barbers, shops, and instructors, including renewal and continuing education obligations
State the Alabama rules for shop sanitation inspections, recordkeeping, and posting of licenses
Distinguish scope-of-practice limits from prohibited acts under Alabama barbering law
Your checkpoint
A 25-question self-written quiz on Alabama law and sanitation, scored with an answer key
Haircutting and Hair Shaping
Identify the bone structure of the head and name the reference points used to establish haircut sections
Map the four basic haircutting sections and the lines of the head used to balance a cut
Explain the difference between elevation, distribution, and projection, and demonstrate each on a mannequin
Match each of the basic haircut forms to its finger/still/shear/clipper technique
Diagnose and correct three common haircutting errors, such as uneven tension or over-direction
Your checkpoint
A labeled diagram of head sections and reference points plus a written critique of three finished mannequin cuts
Haircutting and Hair Shaping & Shaving, Beard Grooming, and Facial Hair Services
Sequence the 14 steps of a standard shave, including preparation, lathering, stroke direction, and finishing
Explain the growth patterns of facial hair and how they dictate razor stroke direction
List the safety and sanitation steps specific to straight-razor use, including stropping and blade disposal
Describe beard and mustache shaping techniques and the tools used for each outline
Identify the causes and prevention of pseudofolliculitis and razor burn in shaving services
Your checkpoint
A timed, step-numbered shave and beard-grooming procedure sheet with a self-scored practice run at 85% of steps correct
Hair and Scalp Care, Shampooing, and Treatments & Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of Hair and Skin
Describe the layers of the hair shaft and follicle and relate each to a service that affects it
Identify the three growth phases and explain how hair growth cycles affect cutting and chemical services
Classify scalp and hair conditions as treatable-in-shop versus refer-to-physician
Match shampoo types and conditioning agents to hair and scalp conditions
Explain the structure and function of skin layers relevant to facial services and chemical penetration
Your checkpoint
A scalp/hair condition triage table of 15 conditions with recommended action for each
Hair Coloring and Lightening & Chemical Texture Services (Permanent Waving and Relaxing)
Explain the law of color and the role of developer volume in color deposition and lightening
Sequence a patch test, strand test, and virgin-application procedure for a color service
Describe the chemistry of permanent waving and relaxing, including the role of the reducing agent and neutralizer
Identify the causes of overprocessing and underprocessing in texture services and how to correct each
List the safety and sanitation requirements specific to chemical services, including ventilation and client records
Your checkpoint
A side-by-side chemistry comparison chart for coloring versus permanent waving, plus a 10-question self-test at 90%
Facial Massage and Skin Care Services & Shaving, Beard Grooming, and Facial Hair Services
Sequence the movements and directions of a facial massage and state the purpose of each
Identify the contraindications that prohibit facial massage or skin care services
Describe the steps of a facial treatment, including cleansing, exfoliation, massage, and finishing
Integrate beard and facial-hair grooming with skin care recommendations for common client concerns
Demonstrate proper draping and client comfort practices for facial services
Your checkpoint
A written facial massage and skin care protocol with a contraindication checklist, self-graded at 90%
Sanitation, Sterilization, and Safety Practices & Haircutting and Hair Shaping & Alabama Barbering Law, Rules, and Professional Ethics
Complete two full-length timed practice exams and record domain-level scores
Re-teach the three lowest-scoring domains using self-generated summary sheets
Rehearse the sanitation and law rules most often missed, to 100% recall
Build a one-page quick-reference sheet of numbers, ratios, and legal limits
Schedule the exam and confirm testing logistics and required identification
Your checkpoint
Two practice exam score reports with a written remediation plan for any domain below 80%
Milestones
Week 2: Score 90% or higher on the self-written sanitation and Alabama law quiz, with no missed item on disinfection methods or licensing requirements
Week 4: Execute a full shave and beard-grooming sequence on a mannequin with 85% or more steps in correct order and zero sanitation violations
Week 6: Score 90% or higher on the coloring and texture chemistry self-test and correctly explain developer volume and neutralization in writing
Week 8: Achieve 80% or higher in every domain on both timed practice exams, with an overall score at or above the passing threshold