Section 1175.540  Final Examination

a)         A school shall require each candidate for graduation to pass a final examination that shall test the student's theoretical and practical knowledge of the curriculum studied.  A "final examination" shall include a single final examinations or multiple examinations as determined by the school.

b)         The practical examination shall test the candidate's skills in the following areas:

1)         Hair cutting;

2)         Thermal curl and blow drying;

3)         Chemical permanent waving and relaxing;

4)         Hair coloring and lightening;

5)         Esthetics; and

6)         Nail technology.

c)         The examination shall be administered by the uniform application of standard performance criteria established by the school for each skill area.  The standard performance criteria for each skill area shall be delineated in the examination records as specified in subsection (h).

d)         A passing score of 75 or greater shall be required on both the theoretical and practical portions of the final examination or another state's passing grade.

e)         The school shall allow each candidate for graduation at least 3 attempts to pass the final exam.

f)         The Division may monitor the administration of the final examination:

1)         As a result of a complaint received;

2)         For random sampling;

3)         To collect data; and/or

4)         When the failure rate on the licensure examination for school graduates is greater than 25%.

g)         The Division shall maintain records of each school's graduate failure rate on the licensing examination.  The records shall reflect only first examination attempts for each graduate.  The examination results shall not count toward the failure rate on the licensing examination if the student transfers to the school from a closed school with one-half or more of the required hours for graduation.

h)         The school shall maintain records of the final examination for a period of no less than 5 years in the manner prescribed in Section 1175.520.  These records shall include:  

1)         A copy of the final examination administered; and

2)         Each student's examination grades.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 15159, effective August 10, 2018)