Shop Management and Professional Practices
What the exam tests
Shop management items test client consultation, recordkeeping, consent, employment classification, OSHA compliance, inventory, and professional communication. The exam wants practical judgment, not generic customer-service slogans.
Core rules
- Consult before every service: assess hair and skin, ask about allergies, medications, recent chemical services, and desired outcome; document the plan and any products used.
- Keep client records confidential and retain incident notes. If a reaction occurs, stop, wash, document product, time, and symptoms, and advise medical care.
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard: maintain an exposure control plan, provide gloves and sharps containers, offer hepatitis B vaccination, and train staff.
- Distinguish employees from booth renters. An employee is controlled by the shop; a true renter sets their own schedule, clients, and prices and pays rent. Misclassification creates tax and liability exposure.
- Price services consistently, disclose charges before service, and handle complaints directly and privately.
Worked example
A client reports stinging after an aftershave. Stop the service, remove product with cool water, document the product, timing, and symptoms, and advise the client to seek medical advice if swelling or breathing trouble occurs. Reasoning: this may be an allergic reaction; documentation protects the client and shop and supports product review. Do not argue or apply another product.
Traps
Diagnosing a skin condition; promising results; discussing a client's information in the shop; failing to document an incident; misclassifying staff; surprising clients with charges.