MI Barber study plan

Map every Michigan barber licensing step from the BPL occupational licensing pages into a single numbered checklist, noting which steps are application-side versus exam-side

Identify the barber license types and the practical requirements (hours, schooling, apprenticeship alternatives) that a Michigan applicant must satisfy before sitting the exam

List the sanitation violations that trigger immediate license or shop-order consequences and rank them by severity

Build a one-page glossary of Michigan licensing terms (license, registration, shop license, instructor, sanitation order) in your own words

Explain the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing, and state which one applies to clippers, combs, capes, and towels

Describe the correct procedure for disinfecting a blade or clipper between clients, including the wet/dry steps and contact time

Identify the bloodborne-pathogen rules that apply when a client is nicked, including glove use and instrument handling afterward

Distinguish the diseases and conditions that bar service (contagious scalp or skin conditions) from those that do not

Specify the required setup and maintenance of a wet sanitizer, dry sanitizer, and UV cabinet, and state what each is and is not for

List the shop-safety hazards (electrical, chemical, slip, burn) and the control for each

Describe proper handling, dilution, and storage of barber chemicals and disinfectants, including labeling requirements

Identify the recordkeeping a shop must keep for sanitation and inspection purposes

Label the layers and structures of the hair shaft and follicle and state the function of each

Describe the hair growth cycle and the phases, and explain how it differs by body site

Identify common scalp and hair disorders (dandruff, seborrheic condition, fungal infection, alopecia types, folliculitis) by their observable signs

State which scalp conditions a barber may treat with shampooing and care and which must be referred out

Explain the purpose, sequence, and pressure of a scalp massage and a shampoo service, including contraindications

Describe facial skin types and how each affects shaving product choice and technique

Sequence a complete shave: preparation, lather, towel, stroke direction, cleanup, and aftercare

Identify shaving hazards (razor burn, ingrown hair, pseudofolliculitis, nicks, infection) and the technique change that prevents each

Describe beard and mustache design and trimming, including line-up, symmetry checks, and tool choice

Explain the standard haircutting sections, elevations, and guide types, and match each to a finished shape

Describe clipper-over-comb, shear-over-comb, and freehand taper techniques and when each is used

Explain the chemistry of relaxers, perms, and color at a level sufficient to state why a patch test and strand test are required

Sequence a chemical service from consultation and patch test through application, processing, and neutralization

Identify the signs of chemical damage and the corrective or referral action for each

Describe client consultation and recordkeeping practices that protect both client and barber

Explain professional conduct, confidentiality, and scope-of-practice boundaries in the shop

Re-drill the two heaviest domains (licensing and sanitation) to a timed accuracy target

Take at least two full-length timed practice exams and log every missed item by domain

Re-study only the logged weak items and re-test them until recall is stable

Rehearse the licensing roadmap and the sanitation SOP from memory in a five-minute verbal run-through