We are so excited to share our relaunch of how the Certification Assessment is completed for the Board of Certified Haircolorists. We are proud to announce micro-credentialing! What is micro-credentialing you ask? Great question! Essentially there are three phases to the Certification Assessment. Micro-Credentialing separates these phases into their own standalone certification credentials that build on each other to create one large credential. (Ready to get started now? Click here to register!)
The complete Certification process has essentially 5 steps. Let's take a look at each one.
Step 1: Register.
When you register, this allows us to create a contact for you in our database so that once you complete the Certification Assessment we have all the information necessary to list you in the consumer directory. We ask for social media handles as well (please use the URL, here is a tutorial) so that consumers can check out your work and your vibe!
P.S To all of our ABCH friends, our predecessor did not have a data bank such as this so we have no way of knowing where or who you are unless you share with us. Check this link out to get listed.
Step 2: Purchase The Comprehensive Study Guide Course.
The Comprehensive Study Guide learning path is designed for you to study the advanced principles of hair color along with a real-world understanding of the structure of the hair and how the two combine in everyday applications. You will notice the E-Book version of the Comprehensive Study Guide is at the very beginning of the learning modules. The first part of the Comprehensive Study Guide is focused on the principles and the second part of the syllabus is focused on the techniques, expectations, and criteria of the certification assessment. Included is a discussion board so that you can connect and share dialogue, questions, and "aha" moments with the education team and fellow candidates to help deepen your understanding.
Step 3: Purchase The Written Assessment.
Once the Written Assessment is purchased, the candidate will be enrolled in a course in our learning management software that will give them some pretest opportunities as well as discussion opportunities with the education team. Each module will also have a chapter that is specific to the topic contained in it as well. Each module contains a small quiz on the topic that is to be completed. Your learning coach will receive the completed quizzes and assignments as evidence of your progress through the modules. The candidate will have 6 months to schedule and complete the Written Assessment. The candidate must pass the Written Assessment with a score of 80% or better.
Here is where the Micro-Credentialing comes in! Once the Written Assessment is passed, the candidate will be considered a Level 1 Board Certified Haircolorist. Along with Level 1 Board Certification, the candidate will receive a digital badge, a listing in the consumer directory, and access to the BCH community page.
Please note: You must have purchased the Study Guide as a prerequisite to enrolling for the Written Assessment.
Step 4: Purchase the Case Study Assessment.
Once the Case Study Assessment is purchased, the candidate will be enrolled in a course in our learning management software that will give them some pretest opportunities as well as discussion opportunities with the education team. In the Case Study Assessment, you are presented with five (5) randomly selected scenarios and presented with images of the client before as well as the consultation dialogue including the clients desired result. Your goal as the candidate is to fill out the assessment sheet using non manufacturer language on how you would go about achieving the result. This portion is graded using a model answer criteria by a committee of assessors. The candidate will have 6 months to schedule and complete the Case Study Assessment. The candidate must pass the Case Study Assessment with 40 points or better out of a possible 50.
Here is where the second Micro-Credentialing comes in! Once the Case Study Assessment is passed, the candidate will be considered a Level 2 Board Certified Haircolorist. Along with Level 2 Board Certification, the candidate will receive an updated digital badge.
Please note: You must have purchased and passed the Written Assessment as a prerequisite to enrolling for the Case Study Assessment
Step 5: Purchase the Performance Assessment Cohort.
Once the Performance Assessment Cohort is purchased, the candidate will be enrolled in a course in our learning management software that will give them some pretest opportunities as well as a 10-week course of tutorials with the education team. Please note, attendance of the live virtual tutorials is mandatory to qualifying for the Performance Assessment . In the Performance Assessment portion, which will be timed, the candidate will work on a prepared quadrant colored mannequin. The candidate will perform 4 different services on a separate hair color service. Two of the services are predetermined and two of the services are randomly selected for you the morning of the exam. The candidate must pass the Performance Assessment with 108 points or better out of a possible 134.
Here is where the Micro-Credentialing is stacked! Once the Performance Assessment is passed, the candidate will be considered a Level 3 Board Certified Haircolorist. Along with Level 3 Board Certification, the candidate will receive an updated digital badge as well as an 8.5 X 11 in glass etched certificate (larger sizes available for purchase)
Please note: You must have purchased and passed the Case Study Assessment as a prerequisite to enrolling for the Performance Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: So why has the Board decided to introduce Micro-Credentialing?
A: Great question! In our research, we found that when the candidate is facing the pressure of completing all three phases in one sitting, they have a tendency to hyper focus on one phase while neglecting preparation for the others. This has led to a 50% pass ratio even once the Certification Assessment was taken online exclusively. We are confident that the pass ratio with this method will increase to our 70% goal. This will allow the Candidate to take the Certification Assessment at a pace that works for their lifestyle and pocketbook.
Q: Are you not worried that a candidate will only take one portion of the Certification Assessment and not the rest?
A: That is the candidate's choice. Our mission is to help haircolorists become a better version of themselves. If the candidate chooses to only take limited portions, then they still have bettered themselves in their world, business, and community.
Q: How will a consumer know if they are going to a fully credentialed Certified Haircolorist or a Micro-Credentialed Haircolorist?
A: On the consumer directory there is an identifier that shows what level of credential the certified haircolorist has attained.
Q: I am ready to get started!
A: Great! Click here to get started!
Jessee Skittrall is no stranger to the hairdressing industry! He comes from six generations of hairdressers
