OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

National Cosmetology Written Practical Examination — Information & Free Practice

US · Examination information

143 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Start free practice →

National Cosmetology Written Practical Examination

Provider
Developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); computer-based testing administered by test administration companies and states upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Written examination of practical knowledge; sample items include four-option single-answer multiple-choice questions and image-based items (select all images that apply; select a location on an image)
Exam questions
75 items, of which 65 items are weighted and contribute to the final score
Time limit
120 minutes
Examination outline
  • Scientific Concepts (20% of items) (20%)
    • Infection Control and Safety Practices — Recognize purpose and/or effects of infection control principles: Process of infection control: Recognize when cross-contamination occurs; Process of infection control: Prevention of cross-contamination; Process of infection control: Differentiate between the purpose of single- and multi-use tools
    • Infection Control and Safety Practices — Apply blood contact procedures
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize purpose and effects of products and ingredients
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize physical interactions with chemicals
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn)
  • Hair Care and Services (45% of items) (45%)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Evaluate condition of client’s hair and scalp (i.e., assessment)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Determine services or products
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Recognize purpose and interpret results of preliminary tests (e.g., predisposition and strand tests)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used in Hair Care Services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools used in hair services: Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation); Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes); Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drape, neck strips); Electrical tools (e.g., irons, blow dryers, clippers); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used in Hair Care Services — Recognize safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for shampooing and conditioning
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for scalp treatments and scalp massage
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of draping (e.g., chemical, shampoo, cutting)
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair cutting and shaping
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair styling: Wet styling; Thermal styling; Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding)
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair enhancements
    • Hair Design — Apply principles of balance and design (e.g., facial shape, physical structure)
    • Chemical Services — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for: Hair coloring (including corrective color); Hair lightening; Foiling; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Hydroxide; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Thio; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Keratin; Chemical waving/texturizing: Alkaline; Chemical waving/texturizing: Acid; Chemical waving/texturizing: Non-thio; Chemical waving/texturizing: Keratin
  • Skin Care and Services (15% of items) (15%)
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Evaluate condition of client’s skin: Skin type; Skin condition
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Identify contraindications: Disorders; Diseases
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Determine services and products
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used for skin care services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools: Equipment (e.g., chair, steamer); Implements (e.g., tweezers, brushes, extractors); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., creams, masks, towels, body and hair drapes); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used for skin care services — Recognize and understand safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Facial skin care services — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for: Cleansing; Steaming; Exfoliation; Extraction; Massage; Masks; Hair Removal: Tweezing; Hair Removal: Depilatory; Hair Removal: Hard wax; Hair Removal: Soft wax; Makeup application; Electrical equipment
  • Nail Care and Services (20% of items) (20%)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Evaluate condition of client’s nails
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Identify contraindications: Disorders; Diseases
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Determine services and products
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used in nail care services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools: Equipment (e.g., workstation, pedicure basin); Implements (e.g., nippers, file); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., towels, creams, polish); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used in nail care services — Recognize and understand safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for basic manicure and pedicure
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for application, maintenance, and removal of nail enhancements: Nail tips; Acrylics
Examination sources