Frisørmester
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Cheat sheet
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ExploreAbout this exam
Frisørmester is the Norwegian master craft credential for hairdressers, taken after the trade certificate (svennebrev) and relevant practice in the trade. It signals that you can run professional work at a high level, supervise apprentices and staff, and take responsibility for the salon as a business. The examination is normally built from several parts: a written theory test, practical work assessed against trade standards, and a portfolio or assignment submission. Written theory spans the whole trade, from cutting and colour chemistry to hygiene, client communication, pricing and calculation, employment and safety rules, apprentice supervision, and sustainability and waste handling in the salon. Practical assessment looks at whether the finished work is technically sound, safe and suited to the client. Preparation is mostly systematic repetition: work through the subject areas you rarely use in daily salon work, practise timed practical sequences, and get feedback from a master or an experienced colleague. The official body publishes current information on registration, dates, fees and the rules for retaking, so check its website rather than relying on second-hand figures.
What you'll study
About Frisørmester preparation
Who can take the Frisørmester examination?
Typically you need a trade certificate as a hairdresser and a period of relevant practice in the trade before you can register. The exact requirements, documentation and any exemptions are set by the official body, so confirm your eligibility on its website before you plan your preparation.
What does the examination actually consist of?
Expect a written theory test, a practical assessment of your hairdressing work, and a portfolio or written assignment. The weighting and the exact tasks are set by the official body. Practical judging focuses on technical quality, safety, hygiene and whether the result suits the client.
How long is the examination and how many questions are there?
The official body publishes the current time limits, task counts and structure for each part. These change, so check its website for the figures that apply to your sitting rather than relying on what other candidates remember from previous years.
How difficult is it compared with the svennebrev?
Most candidates find the practical work familiar but the breadth of theory demanding. The exam expects you to reason about colour chemistry, hygiene, pricing and employment rules, not just perform techniques. Weak areas are usually the business and regulation topics that salons rarely discuss day to day.
What is the most common reason candidates fail?
Underestimating the theory, especially calculation, pricing and HMS topics, and losing marks on documentation. In practical work, hygiene routines and client consultation are often where marks slip. Practising full sequences under time pressure and writing out your own explanations exposes these gaps early.
What order should I study in?
Start with the areas furthest from your daily work: business economics, laws and regulations, and apprentice supervision. Then revise colour chemistry and hygiene, and finish with timed practical rehearsals. Keep a running list of anything you had to look up, because that list is your revision plan.
Can I retake the examination if I fail?
Retake rules, waiting periods and any fees are set by the official body and can change. Check its website for the current policy, including whether you can retake a single part or must sit the whole examination again.
How should I prepare for the practical assessment?
Rehearse complete services end to end, including consultation, hygiene, product choice and finishing, within realistic time limits. Have a master or experienced colleague assess your work against trade standards and give written feedback. Record what went wrong and repeat the same service until it is consistent.
How much does it cost and how long is the credential valid?
Fees and any validity or renewal rules are published by the official body and are not fixed here. Check its website for the current registration fee, payment deadlines and whether the credential needs renewal or continuing professional development.