Chapter 10 of 1040% of exam

Alabama Health & Safety Rules

The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering enforces sanitation and infection-control standards to protect the public. These rules apply the same universal principles you learned nationally, framed as Alabama's enforceable requirements for implements, single-use items, blood exposure, and the work station.

Disinfecting Implements

Clean all reusable implements of hair and debris before disinfecting them.

Disinfect hard, non-porous tools with an EPA-registered disinfectant used at the correct dilution and full contact time.

Immerse combs, shears, and clips fully; disinfect clippers with an approved spray or wipe, not immersion.

Store disinfected tools clean and dry in a covered container, separate from soiled implements.

Single-Use Items & Station Sanitation

Discard porous single-use items (emery boards, wooden sticks, neck strips) after one client.

Use freshly laundered towels and linens for each client.

Dispense powders, creams, and lotions with a clean spatula or shaker, never with fingers.

Keep work surfaces, chairs, and shampoo bowls clean and disinfected between clients.

Blood Exposure & Universal Precautions

Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.

If a cut occurs, stop, put on single-use gloves, and control the bleeding.

Clean then disinfect any blood-contaminated surfaces and implements; discard contaminated single-use items.

Place used razor blades and other sharps in a proper sharps container.

State-specific details

State exam facts

State regulator: Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Exam vendor: PSI (NIC national exam)
Prelicensing education: 1,500 clock hours (or a 3,000-hour apprenticeship; the two cannot be combined)
Passing score: 70
Time limit: 90 minutes

How many training hours does Alabama require for a cosmetology license?

Alabama requires 1,500 clock hours at a licensed school, or a 3,000-hour apprenticeship. The two pathways cannot be combined.

Who licenses cosmetologists in Alabama?

The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (ABOCB) licenses cosmetologists and contracts with PSI to deliver the NIC national exams.

Does Alabama still require a practical exam?

Yes. You must pass the written theory exam (70% to pass, 90-minute limit) and then a hands-on practical exam, which also requires 70%.

Sources: https://www.aboc.alabama.gov/exams/exam-requirements-fees, https://proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/368.pdf

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