Hairdressing Certification

The Hairdressing Certification is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests professional hairdressing knowledge at qualified-stylist level — hair and scalp science and client consultation, cutting and styling, colouring, lightening and chemical services, and health, safety and hygiene in the salon — written to NIC cosmetology examination content, Level 2 and 3 hairdressing qualification standards (VTCT, City & Guilds), FDA and HSE guidance on hair products and skin safety for 2026. It applies worldwide; licensing rules vary by country and state. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable Hairdressing Proficiency certificate (SOA-HY). Every question is based on published standards and research — including NIC cosmetology examination information and candidate bulletins (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology), Hairdressing and barbering qualifications (Level 2 and 3) (VTCT), Cosmetics safety: hair dyes, relaxers and product labelling (US Food and Drug Administration) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Science of Apps offers a free Hairdressing Certification, updated for 2026 and 2027. It measures hair and scalp science and consultation, cutting and styling, colouring, lightening and chemical services and health, safety and hygiene and gives instant results with a shareable certificate.

Read the four skill areas on this page, then take the 20-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a Hairdressing Proficiency certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: NIC cosmetology examination information and candidate bulletins (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology); Hairdressing and barbering qualifications (Level 2 and 3) (VTCT); Cosmetics safety: hair dyes, relaxers and product labelling (US Food and Drug Administration); Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) (Health and Safety Executive (UK)); Hair shedding: how much is normal (American Academy of Dermatology); Skin at work: work-related contact dermatitis (Health and Safety Executive (UK)). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

Four skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Hair and Scalp Science and Consultation (Hair structure, Growth cycle and Scalp conditions and tests); Cutting and Styling (Elevation and angles, Techniques and Styling and finishing); Colouring, Lightening and Chemical Services (Colour theory, Developers and Perming and relaxing); Health, Safety and Hygiene (Chemicals and PPE, Infection control and Skin and posture). Every question is an original scenario written to the 2026–2027 standard, with the published source named under it.

Hairdresser or hairstylist, Barber, Colourist, Salon owner or manager and Cosmetology or hairdressing student. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Hairdressing knowledge in 2026 and 2027, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

It depends on where you work. Most US states require a cosmetology or barber licence with written and practical exams, while in the UK and many other countries a recognised qualification such as a Level 2 or 3 diploma is the industry standard rather than a legal requirement.

Hair and skin science, consultation and contra-indications, cutting angles and techniques, colour theory and chemistry, perming and relaxing, and health and safety, including allergy alert tests and protecting skin from dermatitis.

Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.

20 questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — with a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

We rate it Intermediate: assumes hands-on experience in the role. It has 20 scenario questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — and a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.

On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.

You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.

No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.

Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.

Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.

No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.