| New Examination Policy Established |
|
|
|
 |
| Due to Increased Exam Retakes |
|
Due to the increasing number of applicants retaking one or more sections of the state written examination, the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) and Board of Cosmetology have established a new policy that:
- Allows Initial Exam Candidates to Take Exam First – Applicants taking any section(s) of the written examination for the first time will be allowed to take the examination before those who are retaking any section(s) of the examination.
- Institutes Waiting Period After Two Failed Attempts – Applicants who fail any sections(s) of the examination two times are REQUIRED to wait seven business days before retaking the examination.
Applicants who fail on the third attempt must wait 30 business days, complete recertification of training, and pay a $15 application fee.
|
|
|
| Waiting Periods Now Required |
|
The chart below describes waiting periods and other requirements for applicants who fail two or more successive attempts of any section(s) of the state written examination.
Unsuccessful
Examination Attempts
|
What Applicant Does Next
|
First Failed Attempt
|
May take second attempt the same day (as scheduling allows – see new policy)
|
Second Failed Attempt
|
REQUIRED to wait seven business days before third attempt
|
Third & Sixth Failed Attempts
|
REQUIRED to:
- Complete Recertification of Training under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 817-030-0045(3)
- Wait 30 business days before taking fourth and/or seventh attempts
- Prior to fourth and/or seventh attempts, submit Recertification of Additional Training certificate from Oregon licensed career school to Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA)
- Pay $15 application fee
|
Fourth, Fifth & Seventh Failed Attempts
|
REQUIRED to wait seven business days before retaking examination
|
After 7 Failed Attempts
|
To be determined by OHLA/Board
|
|
|
|
| Why Establish a New Policy? |
|
The new policy is being established to:
- Retain Examination Integrity, Security, Validity and Reliability – Applicants will no longer be able to take the examination multiple times in quick succession, reducing the potential for applicants to answer questions based on the process of elimination, etc.
- Keep Benefits of Same-Day Licensing – The new policy helps to retain same-day licensing benefits for applicants who take and pass examination sections on the first attempt. Same-day licensing means you can receive your certificate(s) to practice the same day if you pass the examination sections you have taken.
- Ensure Competency to Protect Health & Safety – The new policy helps to ensure that applicants are competent enough to practice to protect the health and safety of the public.
- Allow Applicants Time to Prepare for Retakes – Waiting periods have been established to allow applicants to better prepare for retaking the examination, including completion of REQUIRED recertification of training (see below) after three successive failed attempts.
|
|
|
| Recertification of Training |
|
Applicants who fail any section(s) of the state written examination three successive times MUST return to an Oregon licensed career school to complete REQUIRED recertification of training before retaking the examination.
This requirement is specified in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 817-030-0045(3) and applies to individuals applying for certification in one or more fields of practice of cosmetology.
What is recertification of training?
Recertification of training is a REQUIRED “refresher course” of instruction designed to bring an applicant’s knowledge and skills up to date. The goal is to ensure applicants gain the necessary knowledge of the subject matter required to practice one or more fields of practice of cosmetology.
Where is recertification of training required to be conducted and completed?
Applicants MUST complete recertification of training at any Oregon licensed career school.
When are applicants who complete recertification of training eligible to retake the examination section(s) they failed?
When the Oregon licensed career school from which they received additional training for recertification submits a “Recertification of Additional Training” certificate to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA).
Applicants must also wait 30 business days before retaking the examination.
Contact OHLA at 503-378-8667 or via e-mail at ohla.info@state.or.us if you have any questions.
|
|
|
| About the Exam, Remote Testing |
|
Examination Scheduling for NIC Examination: Examinations are conducted Monday-Friday.
Note: Applicants taking examinations for more than one field of practice need to arrive between 8-9 am.
Remote Testing Option: Don't want to drive to Salem? Cosmetology applicants now have the option of taking the written examination at LaserGrade testing centers. For more information, click here.
Virtual Examination Tour: Take a quick "virtual tour" of the examination process!
|
|
|
|
