Cosmetology Test State Board 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document must a cosmetology student present when applying to take the state board practical exam?
- Valid government-issued photo ID (Correct answer)
- High school diploma only
- Proof of insurance
- Social Security card only
Correct answer: Valid government-issued photo ID
A valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport) is required to verify identity when applying for the state board practical exam.
Question 2: During the state board practical exam, a candidate accidentally cuts themselves with shears. What is the correct first action?
- Stop the service and treat the wound with gloves on
- Continue the service and bandage after
- Notify the examiner immediately and follow bloodborne pathogen protocol (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to hold a cloth to the wound
Correct answer: Notify the examiner immediately and follow bloodborne pathogen protocol
Any exposure incident must be reported to the examiner immediately, and bloodborne pathogen protocol (stopping service, gloves, proper disposal) must be followed.
Question 3: What is the minimum passing score on the written state board exam in most U.S. states?
- 60%
- 70% (Correct answer)
- 75%
- 80%
Correct answer: 70%
Most U.S. states require a minimum score of 70% on the written cosmetology state board exam to pass.
Question 4: Which organization administers the National Interstate Council (NIC) cosmetology written exam used by many states?
- American Board of Cosmetology
- PSI Services LLC
- Prometric
- NIC through approved testing vendors (Correct answer)
Correct answer: NIC through approved testing vendors
The NIC develops and owns the exam, which is then administered through approved testing vendors contracted by each state.
Question 5: A cosmetologist's license expires and she continues working for 30 days before noticing. In most states, this results in:
- Automatic permanent revocation
- A fine and requirement to renew immediately (Correct answer)
- Mandatory retaking of the state board exam
- No penalty if renewed within 60 days
Correct answer: A fine and requirement to renew immediately
Practicing with an expired license typically results in a fine and the requirement to renew; the severity depends on how long the license was expired.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT typically tested in the cosmetology state board practical exam?
- Hair coloring application
- Nail tip application
- Business accounting (Correct answer)
- Skin analysis and facial
Correct answer: Business accounting
Business accounting is not a hands-on skill tested in the practical exam; the practical focuses on technical cosmetology services.
Question 7: How long does a cosmetology apprenticeship typically need to be to qualify for licensure in states that allow this path?
- 500 hours
- 1,000 hours
- 2,000 hours (Correct answer)
- 3,000 hours
Correct answer: 2,000 hours
States that permit apprenticeship as an alternative to school typically require around 2,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training.
Cosmetology Test State Board 2
Which document must a cosmetology student present when applying to take the state board practical exam?