OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Kansas Cosmetology — Requirements & Free Practice

US-KS · License preparation

184 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Combined practice

Practice is unavailable for Kansas Cosmetology Written Practical Exam. Available questions cover only examinations with mounted question banks.

Loading selected examination banks…

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

additional training license

For students seeking to practice as apprentices beyond the minimum training period, upon application and payment of a fee.

Licensing authority: Kansas Board of Cosmetology

Additional apprentice training or extension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Board apprentice form uses its Additional training or extension section and a nonrefundable $15 fee; the additional license goes to the enrolled school.
Training
Already an apprentice and seeking to remain in school/practice as an apprentice beyond the minimum training period. Submit an additional-training application and fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

apprentice license

An apprentice license allowing practice in a licensed school, with application required within 15 days after enrollment.

Licensing authority: Kansas Board of Cosmetology

Initial apprentice licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
$15 nonrefundable fee, complete form, matching government-issued photo ID and Social Security documentation, high-school transcript or equivalent and documented name changes. Foreign prior training and education require direct credential evaluation; disclose felony convictions and professional discipline.
Enrollment
Enroll in a licensed Kansas cosmetology school and apply within 15 days.
Practice
Consumer services only at the enrolled school, subject to the minimum training hours; the license permits training, rather than independent cosmetology practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

salon or clinic license

License for a salon or clinic requiring an application, fee, and satisfactory inspection of equipment safety and premises sanitation.

Licensing authority: kansas state board of cosmetology

Initial salon licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Application and new-salon fee; Board inspection of equipment safety and sanitary premises and compliance with Board/KDHE rules precede issuance.
Exemption
The statute exempts an adult care home or long-term care unit of a medical care facility from this salon-license provision.
Facility inspection
Inspection of premises/equipment is an applicant facility-compliance condition, not a separately identified examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Salon renewal within 60 days after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Within 60 days after expiration; pay the annual renewal fee and delinquent renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual salon renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
One year from the last day of the month of issuance; submit renewal application and fee before expiration.
Inspection
Routine or complaint-based compliance inspections remain possible under K.S.A. 65-1904a(c). These are facility oversight, not a named applicant examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Cosmetology School License

License to conduct a school teaching cosmetology, renewed annually before July 1.

Licensing authority: Kansas Board of Cosmetology

Initial school licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply at least 60 days before proposed operation; submit the application, scaled compliant floor plan, compliant curriculum, full-time/part-time daily schedule, equipment inventory and enrollment agreement/refund policy.
Qualifications
Show competency and compliance with the practice act, Board rules and KDHE sanitation standards; pay the application fee except for tax-supported/Regents schools. School supervision, staffing, facilities and prescribed course curriculum remain required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

School renewal within 30 days after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Within 30 days of expiration; submit application and delinquent renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual school renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal application and fee; statutory fee exemption applies to Regents/tax-supported schools.
Deadline
Renew before July 1 each year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

senior status license

Senior status license requiring a one-time fee, with no renewal requirement and no authorization to practice cosmetology.

Licensing authority: Kansas Board of Cosmetology

Senior status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Age
At least 60 years old.
Fee and renewal
Apply and pay the one-time senior-status fee; no renewal is required.
Practice
Not regularly engaged in Kansas cosmetology practice; a senior-status license does not authorize cosmetology practice.
Prior license
Board license held at least 10 years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Emergency License

During a state of emergency declared by the legislature, the licensing body may grant a temporary emergency license based on its determination that the applicant's qualifications sufficiently protect public health and safety.

Licensing authority: kansas state board of cosmetology

Discretionary temporary emergency licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Emergency
Only during a state of emergency declared by the Legislature. This survey establishes the conditional legal authority, not that an emergency is currently declared.
Qualifications
The licensing body must determine qualifications sufficient to protect public health and safety; this is case-by-case applicant discretion, with no identified examination specified in subsection (n).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Cosmetologist Temporary Permit

Optional $15 temporary permit for applicants who have completed training and await board examinations; issuance requires a complete, legally compliant licensure application, and failure of any examination part immediately voids the permit.

Licensing authority: Kansas Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Temporary practice while awaiting initial examinations
Duration
The statute authorizes practice until the next regular examination; the form sets expiry six weeks after the examination. It immediately becomes void on any examination failure. One permit only; no extension.
Eligibility
Possess the qualifications to sit the initial examinations, complete training, and first submit a complete licensure application.
Fee
$15 permit fee.
Practice
Provide services only after the permit is received, in a licensed establishment, with the permit posted conspicuously.

Kansas Cosmetology Written Practical Exam

Examination outline
  • Blood Exposure
    • Handling of a blood exposure incident
    • Disposal of blood-contaminated objects
  • Safety and Sanitation
    • Personal hygiene
    • Sanitation of implements and tools
    • Identification and disposal of single-use items
    • Cleaning and disinfecting work surfaces
    • Safe handling and application of chemical products
    • Safe handling and application of implements and tools
    • Disposal of sharps
  • Set Up
    • Secure draping of client
  • Thermal Curling
    • Safe handling and application of thermal iron
    • Procedural understanding of performing curls
  • Haircut
    • Safe handling and application of scissors/shears
    • Safe handling and application of razors
    • Safe handling and application of clippers
    • Procedural understanding of performing blunt haircut
    • Procedural understanding of performing layered haircut
    • Procedural understanding of performing texturing
  • Hair Color
    • Safe handling and application of hair color solutions
    • Procedural understanding of performing patch test and strand test
    • Procedural understanding of performing single-process color on virgin hair
    • Procedural understanding of performing lightening on virgin hair
    • Procedural understanding of performing hair color application on processed or damaged hair
    • Procedural understanding of formulating hair color
  • Chemical Wave
    • Safe handling and application of chemical waving solutions
    • Procedural understanding of performing permanent waves
    • Procedural understanding of performing permanent waves on over processed or damaged hair
  • Chemical Relaxer
    • Safe handling and application of chemical relaxer solutions
    • Procedural understanding of performing a thio relaxer to virgin hair
    • Procedural understanding of performing a hydroxide relaxer to virgin hair
    • Procedural understanding of performing a chemical relaxer on processed or damaged hair
  • Manicure
    • Safe handling and application of abrasives
    • Safe handling and application of nail nippers
    • Safe handling and application of nail clippers
    • Procedural understanding of performing basic manicure
  • Pedicure
    • Safe handling and application of pedicure baths
    • Procedural understanding of performing basic pedicure
  • Nail Enhancements
    • Procedural understanding of removing nail enhancements
    • Procedural understanding of nail tip application
    • Procedural understanding of nail wrap application
    • Procedural understanding of applying monomer liquid and polymer powder (acrylic) nail enhancements
  • Facial
    • Safe handling and application of mechanical exfoliants
    • Safe handling and application of chemical exfoliants
    • Procedural understanding of performing a basic facial
    • Procedural understanding of performing a facial massage
    • Procedural understanding of performing a makeup application
  • Extraction
    • Procedural understanding of performing a facial steam
  • Temporary Hair Removal
    • Safe handling and application of depilatories
    • Procedural understanding of eyebrow threading
    • Procedural understanding of eyebrow tweezing
    • Procedural understanding of using hard wax
    • Procedural understanding of using soft wax
Examination sources

Cosmetology Written Theory Exam

Examination outline
  • Kansas State General Laws, Rules and Regulations (25%)
  • Safety, Sanitation & Infection Control (40%)
    • Types of bacteria
    • Immunity
    • Viruses
    • Client records
    • Parasites
    • First Aid:
    • First Aid — Blood exposure procedures
    • First Aid — Bodily fluids contact procedures
    • Methods of infection control:
    • Methods of infection control — Sanitation
    • Methods of infection control — Antiseptics
    • Methods of infection control — Disinfection
    • Methods of infection control — Sterilization
    • Methods of infection control — Solutions and formulations
    • Products and chemicals use and storage:
    • Products and chemicals use and storage — Labeling
    • Products and chemicals use and storage — Removal from containers
    • Hazardous waste disposal
  • Implements, Tools & Equipment (2%)
    • Brushes
    • Combs
    • Curette
    • Cuticle pusher
    • Facial rotary brushes
    • Facial Steam machines
    • Finger bowls
    • Foot paddle
    • Footspas
    • Implements, tools & storage
    • Nail brush
    • Nail clipper
    • Nail files
    • Nail rasp
    • Nippers
    • Pedicure cart
    • Razors
    • Roller receptacles
    • Shears
    • Toe separator
    • Tweezers
    • Water bath or spa
    • Make-up
  • Product Knowledge & Chemistry (4%)
    • Water
    • pH and the pH scale
    • Nail care products:
    • Nail care products — Polish remover
    • Nail care products — Cuticle remover
    • Nail care products — Nail conditioner
    • Nail care products — Base and top coat
    • Nail care products — Nail polish
    • Nail care products — Nail dryer
    • Skin care products:
    • Skin care products — Toners, astringents and refresheners
    • Skin care products — Humectants and emollients
    • Skin care products — Masks and packs
    • Skin care products — Sunscreen
    • Skin care products — Aromatherapy
    • Skin care products — Exfoliants
    • Skin care products — Make-up
    • Hair care products:
    • Hair care products — Shampoos and conditioners
    • Hair care products — Styling aids
    • Hair care products — Chemical waves
    • Hair care products — Curl reformation
    • Hair care products — Chemical relaxers
    • Hair care products — Hair color and lightening
    • Hair care products — Temporary hair colors
    • Hair care products — Semi-permanent hair colors
    • Hair care products — Demi-permanent hair colors
    • Hair care products — Permanent hair colors
    • Hair care products — Toners & fillers
    • Hair care products — Lighteners
    • Hair care products — Developer
    • Hair care products — Predisposition/patch test
  • Anatomy & Physiology (2%)
    • Histology of the hair and scalp:
    • Histology of the hair and scalp — Trichology
    • Histology of the hair and scalp — Hair structure
    • Histology of the hair and scalp — Hair growth
    • Histology of the hair and scalp — Hair color
    • Histology of the hair and scalp — Hair disorders
    • Histology of the hair and scalp — Hair loss
    • Histology of the hair and scalp — Scalp disorders
    • Histology of the nails:
    • Histology of the nails — Nail structure
    • Histology of the nails — Nail growth
    • Histology of the nails — Nail disorders
    • Histology of the nails — Nail diseases
    • Histology of the skin
    • Histology of the skin — Structure of the skin
    • Histology of the skin — Skin disorders
    • Histology of the skin — Primary and secondary lesions
  • Hair Care & Services (19%)
    • Treatment of the hair and scalp
    • Treatment of the hair and scalp — Analysis of the hair and scalp
    • Treatment of the hair and scalp — Hair and scalp treatments
    • Haircutting and styling:
    • Haircutting and styling — Design elements
    • Methods and procedures
    • Methods and procedures — Shears
    • Methods and procedures — Razors
    • Methods and procedures — Elevations and cross-checking
    • Methods and procedures — Finger waves
    • Methods and procedures — Pin curls
    • Methods and procedures — Roller setting
    • Methods and procedures — Back-combing
    • Methods and procedures — Blow-drying
    • Methods and procedures — Pressing
    • Methods and procedures — Thermal curling (curling iron)
    • Methods and procedures — Wigs
    • Methods and procedures — Hairpieces
    • Chemical waving and curl reformation:
    • Chemical waving and curl reformation — Chemical waving procedure
    • Chemical waving and curl reformation — Curl reformation procedure
    • Chemical waving and curl reformation — Rod sizes and shapes
    • Chemical waving and curl reformation — Wrapping
    • Chemical waving and curl reformation — Chemistry
    • Chemical waving and curl reformation — Test curls
    • Chemical hair relaxers:
    • Chemical hair relaxers — Retouch application
    • Chemical hair relaxers — Virgin application
    • Hair color and lightening:
    • Hair color and lightening — Temporary hair colors
    • Hair color and lightening — Semi-permanent hair colors
    • Hair color and lightening — Demi-permanent hair colors
    • Hair color and lightening — Permanent hair colors
    • Hair color and lightening — Toners and fillers
    • Hair color and lightening — Lighteners
    • Hair color and lightening — Developer
    • Hair color and lightening — Predisposition/patch test
    • Hair color and lightening — Strand test
    • Hair color and lightening — Client records
    • Hair color and lightening — Application procedures
    • Hair color and lightening — Primary
    • Hair color and lightening — Secondary
    • Hair color and lightening — Tertiary
    • Hair color and lightening — Warm vs. Cool
  • Nail Care & Services (4%)
    • Manicure
    • Pedicure
    • Paraffin wax treatments
    • Massage Movements
    • Nail tip application
    • Nail wrap application
    • Gel nail application
    • Acrylic nail application
  • Skin Care & Services (4%)
    • Draping
    • Clean-up facial
    • Facial with moist heat and massage
    • Massage Movements
    • Make-upapplication
    • Hair Removal
    • Client Records
Examination sources