Summary COSMETOLOGY PRACTICAL EXAMINATION INFORMATION

REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION Candidates need to provide two (2) forms of identification. Candidates must register for the exam with their LEGAL first and last name as it appears on their government issued identification. All required identification below must match the first and last name under which the candidate is registered. Candidates are required to bring two (2) forms of valid (non-expired) signature bearing identification to the test site. PRIMARY IDENTIFICATION – Choose One  State issued driver’s license  State issued identification card  US Government Issued Passport  US Government Issued Military Identification Card  US Government Issues Alien Registration Card SECONDARY IDENTIFICATION – Choose One  Credit Card (must be signed)  Social Security Card  US issued Birth Certificate with Raised Seal *NOTE: Student ID and employment ID are NOT acceptable forms of identification. Candidates must register with the full legal name as it appears on their government issued identification. The name on the identification must be the same as the name used to register for the examination. If the candidate fails to bring proper identification or the candidate names do not match, the candidates will not be allowed to test and their examination fee will not be refunded. SECURITY PROCEDURES The following security procedures will apply during the examination: ▪ NO conversing or any other form of communication among candidates is permitted once you enter the examination area. ▪ Cell phones, pagers, and children are not allowed in the examination center. NO personal items are to enter the testing center. PSI will not be responsible for any personal items and suggests that you leave them locked in the trunk of your car. ▪ No smoking, eating, or drinking will be allowed at the examination site. ▪ You may not exit the building during the examination. ▪ Copying or communicating examination content is a violation of PSI security policy and the State Law. Either one may result in the disqualification of examination results and may lead to legal action. EXAMINATION REVIEW The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering is utilizing the NIC examinations. The NIC conducts ongoing analysis and review of their examinations to ensure the examinations accurately measure minimal competency in the required knowledge area. For questions or concerns please email or for assistance. Your score will be processed and mailed to the address on file within two weeks after completion of the examination. EFFECTIVE 10/1/18 NATIONAL COSMETOLOGY PRACTICAL EXAMINATION CONTENT OUTLINE AND REFERENCE MATERIAL COSMETOLOGY EXAMINATIONS The National Cosmetology examination is the national licensure examination for Cosmetology, which is developed and administered by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC). For more information on the examination content outlines and references go to . The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) offers many different exams that are legally defensible. Because of this, the Alabama State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering is unable to provide a state-specific Candidate Information Bulletin. Therefore, some information included is not required by Alabama. Alabama Practical Examination Guidelines for Cosmetology The Alabama State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering requires you to be examined on the following services in the order in which they are listed below on the practical examination: Core Domain Services: 1. Work Area and Client Preparation, and Set Up of Supplies (First Client) (15 minutes) 2. Thermal Curling (10 minutes) 3. Haircutting (30 minutes) 4. Work Area and New Client Preparation, and Set Up of Supplies (Second client) (15 minutes) 5. Chemical Waving (20 minutes) 6. Predisposition Test and Strand Test with Simulated Product (10 minutes) 7. Highlighting with Foil and Virgin Application with Colored Simulated Product (15 minutes) 8. Hair Color Retouch with Colored Simulated Product (10 minutes) 9. Virgin Hair Relaxer Application with Colored Simulated Product (Untimed) 10. Blood Exposure Procedure (10 minutes) Additional Services required 14. +Basic Facial (20 minutes) 18. +Manicure and Polish Application (20 minutes) …Sections 11,12,13,15,16,17,19 and 20 are not required by Alabama- Mannequins: A mannequin head is required for all hair and facial services. It is the candidate’s responsibility to come prepared for the examination. Mannequin heads that are pre-marked or pre-sectioned are NOT allowed for any part of the practical examination. The mannequin’s hair must be brushed straight back prior to reporting to the examination. A mannequin hand is required for all nail services. Hands with digital fingers (trainer hands) are NOT permitted during the examinations. Prior to reporting to the examination, you MUST apply a set of nails to the mannequin hand. The artificial nails must cover the entire nail bed of each finger. If you are unable to use a mannequin hand, you will not receive credit for this section. You are no longer able to perform this service on your own hand. Prohibited Items: Aerosol products are not permitted at any time during the examination. Monomer must be low odor/less-odor and factory sealed in its original container with the manufacturer’s label. Polymer and primer must be in its original container with manufacturer’s label. Kit Size: Kit size must be no larger than 30x30. For safety reasons, all kits must fit completely under the table areas. Dress Code: You should dress professionally as you would when you are working in a shop. You are not allowed to have your name, your school name, or a shop name on your professional attire or kit. EFFECTIVE 10/1/18 NATIONAL COSMETOLOGY PRACTICAL EXAMINATION CANDIDATE INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIB) EXAMINATION CONTENT AND IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS Please visit your official examination provider website OR , for the most current bulletin prior to testing. National Cosmetology Practical Examination is the licensure examination for Cosmetologists, which is developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC). This bulletin contains IMPORTANT INFORMATION regarding the NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination content and administration for Cosmetology core services and additional sections. For each NIC National Practical Examination, there are multiple parts to every Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) stored as separate documents: • Important Instructions and Examination Core Domain Content – This contains information and guidelines related to administration of the Practical examination and information about the scope of content covered in the core sections of the Practical examination. • Additional Services – These provide information about additional sections offered by NIC for examination. Check with your State regulatory agency or examination administration vendor to determine which of these sections your State requires as part of their Practical examination. • References – This is a list of references used to develop and support the content covered in NIC examinations. The references will always be the same for both Theory and Practical examinations. BE CERTAIN TO DOWNLOAD AND/OR PRINT AND REVIEW ALL DOCUMENTS THAT MAKE UP THE NIC EXAMINATION CIB. PLEASE REVIEW ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY! IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS  Do not leave the examination area without permission. Permission must be obtained to leave the examination area for any reason, including restroom usage or at the completion of the examination. Picture ID is required for re-entry into the examination.  Candidates are required to bring a supply kit for their own use. o It is the candidate’s responsibility to make certain they have a sufficient quantity of supplies that have been properly cleaned and disinfected and that implements are in proper working order. o The kit will be used during the examination as dry storage and is considered part of the work area. The kit must be kept closed (e.g., completely zipped or lid tightly closed) except when removing materials for a particular service. o Candidates may remove items, supplies, etc., from the kit at any time, however nothing may be returned to the kit. o All examinations are administered in a testing environment. o Candidates are evaluated at all times. Continue working until you have completed the entire section or time has elapsed.  Due to standardization of the NIC National Examinations, proctors and examiners are required to adhere to the ___________________________________________________________________________________ NIC CIB Cosmetology Practical Examination Core Sections (Rev.7/2018, Eff.05/2016) 1 © Copyright 2016 NIC All rights reserved following standards: o The verbal instructions will be read twice for each section of the examination. o With the exception of verbal instructions, the proctors are not allowed to communicate with candidates. o Examiners are not allowed to speak with candidates. o Candidates requesting information during the examination will be told one of the following statements: • “Do the best you can with what you have available.” • “Do as you were taught.” o If a candidate experiences an emergency situation, please notify the proctor by raising your hand. • Candidates will be given time to set up the universal (also known as general) supplies they will use throughout the examination. o Each section of the examination has a maximum time allowance, with the exception of those specified as untimed sections. o Once a candidate has completed all tasks in the section, please step back or turn the hand toward the examiner (in the case of nail sections) to indicate they have finished. o In the event that all candidates complete a section before the time has elapsed, the examiners will proceed to the next section of the examination. o When the timer goes off, all candidates must stop working and step back or turn the hand toward the examiner (in the case of nail services) IMMEDIATELY. ▪ During all phases of the examination, candidates must follow all appropriate public protection and infection control procedures and maintain a safe work area. o In the event of a blood exposure incident, candidates will be expected to follow the NIC Blood Exposure Procedure. Failure to do so may result in your dismissal from the examination. ▪ Be sure to contact your examination provider to obtain the most current version of, and any addendums to, the NIC Blood Exposure Procedure, OR go to for a current downloadable copy. o If a candidate does not follow infection control procedures or allows the work area to become and remain unsafe, the result may be a failing score for the examination.  The following provides examples of materials and actions that are prohibited during the examination administration: o Possession of cellular phones, pagers, tablets, computers, projectors, cameras, or any other electronic or recording devices, printed materials, or handwritten notes o Purses, bags, coats, hats, and any other personal items not directly needed to complete the examination, are not allowed o Exhibiting disruptive behavior o Communicating to other candidates or any examiner ▪ The above referenced items or actions are not an exhaustive list. Failure to comply with any of these conditions or exhibiting ANY behavior that suggests an effort to cheat will result in the immediate dismissal from the examination and the candidate’s actions reported to the proper authorities. ▪ All supplies must be labeled in English. When an original manufacturer's label is required, there can be NO handwritten or any other type of labeling. Original manufacturers’ labels must have English and may also include other languages. All non-manufacturer-created labels must be only in English. o Original manufacturer’s labels are required for all disinfectants and hand sanitizers. o An EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant that demonstrates bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal properties must be used. Please refer to the “Suggested Examination Supplies” section to see any further state-specific requirements for supplies and products. o Simulated products are not allowed for disinfectants and hand sanitizers. o NO AEROSOLS are allowed in the testing environment o Candidates are to perform all tasks, utilizing products and supplies, as they were taught. There is however, a section titled “Suggested Examination Supplies” provided following the “Content Domains” section of this bulletin for items that a candidate may possibly utilize in a section