CDACC Hairdressing

Expect a mix of practical demonstration, a portfolio of evidence, short written answers, and multiple-choice questions. An assessor observes you performing services on models, asks why you chose a product or technique, and reviews your records. It is competency-based, so you must show you can work safely and independently, not just describe the steps.

Most candidates who fail do so on safety, timing, or incomplete evidence rather than on styling skill. If you can complete services cleanly within salon time, explain your product choices, and keep organised records, the assessment is manageable. Weak candidates typically skip consultation and patch-test documentation or rush sectioning.

There is no fixed published duration; it varies with the number of services assessed and your centre's scheduling. Ask your accredited centre for the current timetable. Plan for a full day, arrive early, and bring all required tools, since running out of time on practical tasks is a common problem.

Competency-based systems usually let you be reassessed on the specific unit you did not meet, rather than repeating everything. The exact retake rules, waiting period, and any additional fee are set by CDACC and your centre. Request the decision in writing and confirm the reassessment date before you leave.

Start with occupational safety, hygiene, and client consultation, because every practical task is judged against those standards. Then build shampooing and scalp care, move to cutting and styling, and only then tackle colour, perming, and relaxing, which carry the highest risk of injury and damage if your basics are shaky.

Yes, a portfolio is part of the assessment. Keep dated records of services performed, consultation forms, patch-test records, product details, before-and-after photographs, and reflections on what you would improve. Start collecting from your first day of training; assembling it at the last minute is one of the most common reasons candidates lose marks.

Cutting and styling carries the largest weighting, followed by colouring and lightening. Braiding, chemical services, salon business, and client care each carry moderate weight, while safety and professional ethics carry less but are gatekeeping areas, since unsafe practice can fail you regardless of technical skill.

Fees and assessment windows change, so CDACC and your accredited centre publish the current figures and dates. Check the official CDACC website or contact your centre directly rather than relying on older candidates' information. Budget separately for tools, models, and travel to the assessment venue.

Recognition of prior learning may allow experienced salon workers to be assessed on skills gained on the job, but this depends on your centre and current CDACC rules. You will still need a verifiable portfolio. Contact an accredited centre to have your experience mapped against the units before enrolling.