Texas Class A Barber study plan
Texas Class A Barber · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Safety, Sanitation, and Infection Control
List each category of implement (nonporous reusable, porous, single-use, electrical) and match it to the required cleaning and disinfection or sterilization method.
Sequence the full wet-sanitizing procedure from pre-cleaning through immersion time to dry storage, stating the step order aloud without prompts.
Differentiate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites by giving one barbering-relevant example and the control measure each one demands.
Identify visible signs of contagious scalp and skin conditions and state the correct response: refuse service, refer, or proceed with barrier protection.
Describe the handwashing sequence and name the points during a service when it must be repeated.
Your checkpoint
A completed 30-row sanitation decision table (implement to clean to disinfect/sterilize to storage) plus a self-written 25-question quiz scored at 85% or higher.
Safety, Sanitation, and Infection Control & Haircutting, Styling, and Hair and Scalp Treatments
Apply the domain 4 rules specifically to haircutting equipment: clipper blades, guards, shears, combs, capes, neck strips, and electric cords.
Label a blank diagram of head sections, reference points, and natural growth patterns from memory.
Define the core cutting vocabulary (elevation, projection, distribution, section, subsection, guide, line) in your own words with one example each.
Demonstrate on a mannequin the 0-degree, 45-degree, and 90-degree elevations plus shear-over-comb and clipper-over-comb.
Your checkpoint
A practical setup log recording six mannequin sectioning and elevation setups, each with a one-sentence rationale for the elevation and guide chosen.
Haircutting, Styling, and Hair and Scalp Treatments
Execute on a mannequin one blunt, one graduated, and one layered cut, recording the elevation and distribution used for each.
Select the correct tool and technique for each styling and finishing task: blow-dry, thermal iron, finger wave, air forming, hair pressing.
Explain the purpose, step sequence, and cautions for scalp massage, scalp treatments, and hair treatments.
Adjust section size and tension for density, texture, and growth-pattern challenges such as a cowlick or double crown.
Your checkpoint
A three-haircut practical log (blunt, graduated, layered) listing elevation, section size, tool, and finish time for each service, all completed under 60 minutes apiece.
Haircutting, Styling, and Hair and Scalp Treatments & Chemical Services (Coloring, Permanent Waving, Relaxing)
Recite the law of color, the level system, and the underlying pigment at each level, and match developer strengths to lift or deposit goals.
Sequence a virgin application, a retouch, and a lightening service step by step, including patch and strand test placement.
Distinguish the indications, mixing, and processing variables for permanent, semi-permanent, and demi-permanent color.
Diagnose three misapplication outcomes (banding, overprocessing, uneven grey coverage) and write the corrective service for each.
Complete a timed 40-question mixed set on domains 1 and 4 and review every missed item to its source rule.
Your checkpoint
A scored 40-question timed mixed set covering domains 1 and 4 at 80% or higher, with a written correction note for each missed item.
Chemical Services (Coloring, Permanent Waving, Relaxing)
Compare thio-free, acid, and alkaline permanent wave chemistry and explain the role of the reducing agent and the neutralizer.
Sequence a relaxer retouch including base and scalp protection, smoothing, processing checks, and neutralization.
Adjust processing time and product strength for porosity, density, previous chemical history, and medication disclosures.
Explain the required client protection steps before any chemical service: consultation, patch test, strand test, and record keeping.
Your checkpoint
A 10-scenario troubleshooting matrix for perm, color, and relaxer services, each row stating the visible problem, the likely cause, and the corrective action.
Chemical Services (Coloring, Permanent Waving, Relaxing) & Shaving, Beard Trimming, and Facial Hair Services
Explain shaving preparation, lather application, razor angle, and the with-grain, across-grain, and against-grain stroke sequence.
Sequence a complete shave service and a beard trim and outline, marking every sanitation checkpoint between steps.
Classify facial hair shapes (mustache, goatee, full beard, chinstrap) and describe the outline and blending approach for each.
Identify the safety and skin-care cautions for shaving sensitive skin, moles, and ingrown hair areas, and when to stop the service.
Your checkpoint
A narrated timed walkthrough of one full shave plus one beard outline, scored against a self-built 20-item checklist at 18 of 20 or better.
Shaving, Beard Trimming, and Facial Hair Services & Texas Barbering Law and Administrative Rules
Compile from the official Texas Barbering Act and administrative rules the licensing categories, shop requirements, display requirements, continuing education obligations, and renewal conditions.
Distinguish acts within the barber scope of practice from prohibited or delegated-to-other-license acts.
Explain the enforcement pathway: inspection, complaint, notice, hearing, and penalty.
Explain hair removal options permitted in a barber establishment and the sanitation requirements that apply to each.
Your checkpoint
A one-page Texas rules reference sheet of 25 numbered facts taken directly from the statute and rules, self-quizzed to 90% accuracy.
Texas Barbering Law and Administrative Rules & Safety, Sanitation, and Infection Control & Haircutting, Styling, and Hair and Scalp Treatments & Chemical Services (Coloring, Permanent Waving, Relaxing) & Shaving, Beard Trimming, and Facial Hair Services
Recite the most commonly cited sanitation and licensing violations and the corrective action for each.
Take two full-length timed mock exams under exam-day conditions, one early in the week and one late.
Categorize every missed item by domain, rank the domains by error rate, and re-teach the two weakest.
Re-drill the ten facts you missed most often using spaced review on days 1, 3, and 5.
Your checkpoint
A full-length timed mock exam scored at 85% or higher with an error log sorted by domain and a written re-study note for each repeated miss.
Milestones
Week 2: Explain and physically demonstrate the disinfection path for every haircutting implement without referring to notes.
Week 4: Score 80% or higher on the timed 40-question mixed set on domains 1 and 4, with every miss corrected in writing.
Week 6: Deliver the full shave and beard-outline walkthrough with zero sanitation checkpoints missed on the 20-item checklist.
Week 8: Score 85% or higher on a full-length timed mock exam with no single domain below 75%.