About ABCH & the Examination

Mission Statement

The American Board of Certified Haircolorists is

• Dedicated to the development of standardized criteria in certification, promoting credibility and consistent quality in the professional haircolorist.
• Bringing predictability and ethical professional behavior for the well being of the consumer and enhancing excellence in customer service.
• Encouraging mentors to share their knowledge with aspiring professional haircolorists.
• Making available to them the confidence needed to excel in their chosen profession by creating opportunity for success and a prosperous future.
• Totally devoted to to supporting and endorsing the status of the Board Certified Haircolorist with a goal to overcome the inadequacies of the past and become an integral part of the future evolving professional haircolor.

 

Introduction

The certification of haircolorists has long been a vision of many professionals in our industry.  Our goal is to establish a standard by which to judge competence and to acknowledge the level of excellence achieved in haircolor, thus creating creditability in the eyes of the consumer.

Developing a protocol to determine the level of excellence has been a sensitive and difficult task due to the need for a common language among haircolorists.  Manufacturers, haircolorists and organizations dedicated to the art of haircoloring were consulted to develop a consensus of terms pertaining to proper language, techniques and test procedures needed to accomplish our vision.  After all background research was completed, the committee set forth to create the examination.

Dr. Richard Resurreccion, a professor of vocational education, acted as an advisor tour committee.  He was instrumental in establishing the examination to certify paramedics for the Los Angeles Fire Service.  These qualifications have made him uniquely qualified to advise our Board on the preparation of the testing procedure.

click here to review chapters 1 & 10 of the ABCH Study Portfolio. Candidates who are Board Certified must rise to the same standard of excellence and feel the examination has been a valuable educational experience.  A method of feedback has been established to show the candidates their areas of weakness or difficulty.

The study portfolio contains all of the information and guidelines needed for the written and performance examinations. (purchase this product here)  The comprehensive material is written in easy to understand language providing in depth knowledge of the interworking of haircolor. It is our hope these materials will become the standard by which haircolor is taught and evaluated.

The title Board Certified Haircolorist will set qualified individuals apart from the masses and establish a higher level of professionalism and credibility for the consumer.  As in all professions, the consumer will seek out those certified for their expert knowledge and service excellence.

The Examination

It is important that the examination is professionally conducted in an efficient manner and generally meets or exceeds accepted testing standards.  There must be strong evidence that the written examination and performance tasks test the skills and abilities required for excellence on the actual job.

Information provided to the candidates prior to taking the certification examination must be well prepared and of high quality.  Moreover, the open examination procedure allows non-candidates to observe the procedure in an unobtrusive manner, thus encouraging others to participate in the certification process.

It is important that the procedures used by the evaluation team are of a consistently high standard; they require formal documentation necessary against failed candidates.  It is necessary to validate materials, instructions and procedures to make certain they to professional test construction techniques.

Completed examination committee objectives

Objective #1  Document task analysis for each work sample. Specify relation of tasks to a rating scale.  Verify test procedures with a professor of vocational education.

Objective #2 determine the extent to which candidates are provided information before the examination.

Objective #3 Implement a formal procedure for feedback to the candidates who have failed the examination and be able to comment on areas of weakness.

Objective #4 Determine a method by which Evaluators are selected qualified and trained.

Objective #5 constructs a test manual for Evaluators that standardizes instructions.

Objective #6 Address the needs of candidates for whom English is not their primary language.

Objective #7 Evaluate and analyze the test procedure on an annual basis.

Objective #8 construct a general test administration manual for candidates.

About the Examination Process »