National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination — Information & Free Practice
US · Examination information
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National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination
- Provider
- National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); administered by Test Administration companies and States upon approval and authorization of NIC
- Format
- Theory examination of four-option multiple-choice items, only one option correct
- Exam questions
- 110 items, of which 100 are weighted and contribute to the final score
- Time limit
- 90 minutes
Examination outline
Scientific Concepts (30%) (30%)
- Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Identify how disease and infection are caused (e.g., viral, bacterial, parasitical, fungal)
- Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Identify how disease and infection are transmitted (e.g., direct/indirect contact, communicable, cross-contamination)
- Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Recognize purpose and/or effect of infection control principles — Determine levels of infection control (i.e., cleansing/sanitation, disinfection, sterilization)
- Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Recognize purpose and/or effect of infection control principles — Determine methods of infection control (e.g., chemical, heat)
- Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Recognize purpose and/or effect of infection control principles — Demonstrate blood exposure and contact incidence and response
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in: — Procedure environment
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in: — Products, ingredients, and equipment
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in: — Protocols
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in: — Recognizing issues outside of scope of practice (e.g., diagnosing, prescribing, medical authorization)
- Apply knowledge of products and ingredients — Recognize purpose and effects
- Apply knowledge of products and ingredients — Interpret labeling
- Recognize intrinsic and extrinsic factors and their effects on the skin (e.g., hormonal, environmental)
- Recognize and understand concepts in advanced therapies (e.g., cryogenic, ayurveda, phytotherapy, algotherapy)
- Apply knowledge of practicing in a medical setting — Recognize purpose and effect of medical procedures (e.g., injectables, light modalities, surgery)
- Apply knowledge of practicing in a medical setting — Define relevant medical terminology
Esthetic Advance Practice Service (70%) (70%)
- Apply knowledge for protocol development — Identify procedure environment — Clinical
- Apply knowledge for protocol development — Identify procedure environment — Spa
- Apply knowledge for protocol development — Identify procedure environment — Home
- Apply knowledge for protocol development — Determine contraindications for protocol
- Apply knowledge for protocol development — Document protocol
- Apply knowledge of exfoliation procedures — Recognize purpose and effect of methods — Chemical (e.g., alpha and beta hydroxy, TCA, enzymes)
- Apply knowledge of exfoliation procedures — Recognize purpose and effect of methods — Physical (e.g., microdermabrasion and hydrodermabrasion, ultrasonic)
- Apply knowledge of exfoliation procedures — Determine product or machine selection
- Apply knowledge of exfoliation procedures — Demonstrate competent use of products and machines
- Apply knowledge of extraction procedures — Determine method of extraction
- Apply knowledge of extraction procedures — Competent use of implements used for extractions (e.g., comedone extractor, lancet)
- Apply knowledge of lymphatic drainage — Recognize purpose and effect of methods and contraindications
- Apply knowledge of lymphatic drainage — Determine method of lymphatic drainage (e.g., manual, machine-aided)
- Apply knowledge of lymphatic drainage — Demonstrate competent lymphatic drainage
- Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency) — Recognize purpose and effect of methods
- Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency) — Determine considerationsi for body region
- Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency) — Determine product selection
- Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency) — Competent product application and removal
- Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures — Recognize purpose and effect of methods (e.g., waxing, sugaring, electrolysis)
- Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures — Determine considerations for body region (e.g., ears, Brazilian, underarm)
- Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures — Determine product selection
- Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures — Competent product application and removal
- Apply knowledge of body treatments (e.g., body wraps, body scrubs, cellulite types and treatments, hydrotherapy) — Recognize purpose and effect of methods
- Apply knowledge of body treatments (e.g., body wraps, body scrubs, cellulite types and treatments, hydrotherapy) — Determine product selection
- Apply knowledge of body treatments (e.g., body wraps, body scrubs, cellulite types and treatments, hydrotherapy) — Demonstrate product application and removal
- Apply knowledge of LED procedure — Recognize purpose and effect of methods (e.g., red and blue)
- Apply knowledge of LED procedure — Determine color selection
- Apply knowledge of LED procedure — Demonstrate product application and removal
- Apply knowledge of LED procedure — Demonstrate competent use of machine
- Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure — Recognize purpose and effect of modalities
- Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure — Determine settings
- Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure — Demonstrate product application and removal
- Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure — Demonstrate competent use of machine and applicators
- Apply knowledge of aromatherapy treatment — Recognize purpose and effect of products (e.g., essential oils, botanicals)
- Apply knowledge of aromatherapy treatment — Recognize competent use of product and application
- Apply knowledge and recognize purpose and effect of other procedures (e.g., dermaplaning, microneedling, ultrasound)
- Apply knowledge and recognize purpose and effect of medical regenerative therapies (e.g., PRP, PRF)
Examination sources
- NIC National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Content Outline — Domain Details paragraph (scope and percentages)
- NIC National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Content Outline — Scientific Concepts domain heading
- NIC National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Content Outline — Esthetic Advance Practice Service domain heading
- NIC National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Content Outline — Domain Details paragraph
- NIC National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Sample Questions — introduction
- NIC National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
CIB header — effective and revision dates
- NIC National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
CIB introduction — time allowed
- NIC — NIC Exam Types
NIC Exam Types page — administration paragraph
- NIC — Examination Information
Examination Information page — Candidate Information Bulletins paragraph
- NIC Candidate Information Bulletin Selection (linked from nictesting.org)
CIB selection application — Exam Name list entry "Esthetics Advanced Practice"