Georgia State Board Barber Exam: Complete Guide

Eligibility Steps Explained

• Age: You must be 17 or older.
  
• Education: A high school diploma or GED is required.
  
• Training Hours:
  
  • 1,500 hours from a Georgia-approved barber school or
  • 3,000 apprentice hours under a licensed master barber.
• Board Approval: Your school or apprentice sponsor submits your hours to the Georgia Board.
  
• PSI Scheduling: PSI opens your exam file only after the Board approves your eligibility.

Barber School Route (Most Common)

• You must complete 1,500 hours at a Georgia-approved barber school.
  
• Hours must be fully documented and reported by the school.
  
• You cannot self-submit hours to PSI.

Apprentice Route

• Requires 3,000 apprentice hours under a licensed master barber.
  
• Must be completed over at least 18 months.
  
• Apprentice hours must be verified by the Georgia Board before testing.

Important Notes

• Partial hours are not accepted; you must finish the full requirement.
  
• PSI will only allow scheduling after the Georgia Board confirms your hours.

How The Process Works

• Step 1: Finish your required training hours.
  
• Step 2: Apply to the Georgia Board and wait for approval.
  
• Step 3: The Board sends you an exam approval letter.
  
• Step 4: Upload or submit that letter to PSI.
  
• Step 5: PSI activates your account so you can schedule the written and practical exams.

Good to know: You cannot schedule with PSI until the Georgia Board approves you.

 Fee Details You Should Know

• Fees must be paid when you schedule the exam via PSI.
• Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Missed appointments or late cancellations typically forfeit the fee.
• You will pay separately for each part if you take the theory and practical at different times.

For more information, refer PSI exam (Page 4)

Source: PSI exam (Pages 22-26)

The Georgia barber practical exam includes the following:

1. Workstation Preparation (10 minutes)

• Set up a clean, safe workstation and organize your tools correctly.
• Make sure all tools, draping, and infection-control steps are done exactly as required.

2. Haircutting (20 minutes + prep + cleanup)

• Prepare the client, then cut hair using clippers for 5 minutes and shears for 5 minutes, removing at least ¼ inch.
• Throughout the service, you must work safely, sanitize properly, and clean your area afterward.

3. Straight Razor Shaving (50 minutes)

• Prepare the client, steam the face, apply lather, and then demonstrate the required shaving strokes one-on-one for the evaluator.
• Show proper razor handling, skin stretching, sanitation, and workstation cleanup to the evaluator.

4. Chemical Wave (45 minutes)

• Set up your chemical station, section the head, and wrap three rods, then demonstrate saturation and a test curl when asked.
• Follow all infection-control rules, chemical safety steps, and clean your station afterward.

5. Sodium Hydroxide Relaxer Application (20 minutes)

• Prepare the client and apply relaxer to three subsections in one quadrant.
• Follow chemical-safety rules and fully disinfect your station afterward.

6. Color Lift (Lightener Application) (20 minutes)

• Set up your workstation and drape the client for a chemical service.
• Apply lightener to three virgin-hair subsections and maintain proper sanitation.

7. Permanent Haircolor Deposit (20 minutes)

• Prepare your station and client, then deposit color on three subsections.
• Work cleanly, avoid contamination, and disinfect everything after finishing.

8. Workstation Prep for Next Client (10 minutes)

• Remove debris, dispose of soiled items, and disinfect your tools and surfaces.
• Reset the workstation exactly as it should look for the next client.

Refer: PSI exams (Pages 14-20)

Key Habits That Are Scored Throughout

• Hand hygiene and use of gloves when required
• Proper disinfection of tools, surfaces, and spills
• Safe handling of razors, clippers, shears, and chemicals
• Following all proctor timing instructions

You perform all services on a mannequin, not a live model.

How Scoring Works:

• The written and practical exams are scored separately.
  
• Passing one exam does not carry over to the other; you must pass both.
  
• PSI gives your pass/fail result immediately after each exam.
  
• If you fail one part, you only retake that specific section.
  
• Your passing score on the other part stays valid while your eligibility is still active (up to 4 years from course completion).

If You Don’t Pass Within 4 Years

• You must reapply to the Georgia Board.
• You may need to complete additional hours or training, depending on current Board rules.

How Soon Can You Retest?

• PSI allows you to reschedule as soon as your score posts, usually within a day or two.
• There is no mandatory waiting period, only schedule availability.

Fees

• Each retake requires paying the full PSI exam fee again for that part.

How To Reschedule

• Log in to your PSI account and move your exam to a new date.
• You can also call PSI’s customer service for help.

When You Will Not Lose Your Fee

• You can cancel or reschedule 2 business days or more before the exam.
• PSI confirms the new appointment in your account.

When You Will Lose Your Fee

• You cancel late (less than 2 business days).
• You arrive late, bring the wrong ID, or miss the exam.
• PSI marks it as a no-show, and the full fee is forfeited.

Emergency Situations

• If a true emergency prevents you from attending, PSI may waive the fee if you provide written proof (such as a medical note).

Where To Reschedule

• PSI account portal: https://candidate.psiexams.com
• PSI phone support: 855-746-8173

Written Exam Format:

• All questions are computer-based.
• Questions follow the NIC (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) national format.
• You receive your score immediately after completing the test.
• The test is only available in English; no foreign language translators are allowed or provided.