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Free National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1A client points to a scaly, ring-shaped rash on her forearm that a friend called ringworm. Which type of organism causes ringworm?

    1. A. Fungi that infect the skin, scalp, or nails
    2. B. Parasitic worms that live beneath the skin
    3. C. Bacteria that enter through broken skin
    4. D. Viruses that lie dormant in facial nerves

    Answer: A

    Explanation: CDC states that "Ringworm is caused by fungi (not a worm)." and that "Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the scalp, skin, or nails (onychomycosis)." Despite its name, the rash is a fungal infection, so a worm, bacterial, or viral cause is incorrect.

    Reference: CDC — Ringworm Basics — About Ringworm — Overview and Causes

  2. 2An esthetician is helping a physician's clinic plan protocols for a new cryolipolysis (fat freezing) device. According to FDA, how are devices that use this technology made available?

    1. A. Over-the-counter home use
    2. B. Prescription use only
    3. C. Retail sale to any spa
    4. D. Exempt from FDA review

    Answer: B

    Explanation: FDA states for cryolipolysis: "Devices that use this technology are for prescription use only." It adds that "The safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter or home use fat freezing has not been established." A clinical protocol for this device must therefore operate under a prescriber's authority.

    Reference: FDA — Non-Invasive Body Contouring Technologies — Cold (cryolipolysis)

  3. 3Before a body treatment, a client mentions intense itching that is worse at night, and the esthetician notices tiny burrow-like tracks between her fingers, a pattern typical of scabies. What causes scabies?

    1. A. A fungus that grows on warm, moist skin folds
    2. B. A bacterium that colonizes the nostrils and skin
    3. C. A microscopic mite that burrows into the upper skin
    4. D. A virus that spreads through blood exposure

    Answer: C

    Explanation: CDC explains: "Scabies is caused by the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis). The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs." Scabies is therefore a parasitic infestation, not a fungal, bacterial, or viral infection; the esthetician should not perform the service and should refer the client to a healthcare provider.

    Reference: CDC — About Scabies — About Scabies — Overview

  4. 4In a clinic, a client's friend asks to stay in the room during a procedure with a Class IV laser whose beam path is not enclosed. According to the OSHA Technical Manual, how should spectators be handled?

    1. A. Allow them in if they stand behind the operator and keep their eyes closed
    2. B. Allow them in without protection because the beam is aimed at the client's skin
    3. C. Keep unneeded persons out; anyone who enters needs eye protection and instruction
    4. D. Allow them in if they wear ordinary sunglasses or their prescription glasses

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The OSHA Technical Manual states: "Persons unnecessary to the laser operation should be kept away. For those who do enter a laser area with unenclosed Class IIIB or Class IV beam paths, appropriate eye protection and instruction is required." Closing the eyes, relying on the beam direction, or wearing ordinary glasses does not substitute for proper laser eye protection.

    Reference: OSHA Technical Manual — Section III, Chapter 6: Laser Hazards — Control Measures — Limitations on Spectators

  5. 5A client arrives with crusty lesions on her chin that began as pustules, and she says her physician diagnosed impetigo. Which description of impetigo is correct?

    1. A. A superficial fungal skin infection
    2. B. A superficial bacterial skin infection
    3. C. A viral infection of the nerve endings
    4. D. A parasitic infestation of the follicles

    Answer: B

    Explanation: CDC describes impetigo this way: "Impetigo (also called pyoderma) is a superficial bacterial skin infection caused by either S. pyogenes or S. aureus." It is caused by bacteria, not by a fungus, a virus, or a parasite.

    Reference: CDC — Clinical Guidance for Group A Streptococcal Impetigo — Background

  6. 6A dermatology clinic offers ultraviolet phototherapy to patients whose severe skin disease has not responded to other treatment. According to FDA, how is this therapy delivered?

    1. A. By any spa esthetician using a commercial tanning bed
    2. B. By the patient at home with an unsupervised sunlamp
    3. C. By a spa technician with no physician involvement
    4. D. By trained staff under a dermatologist's supervision

    Answer: D

    Explanation: FDA explains that phototherapy "is performed by a trained healthcare professional under the supervision of a dermatologist." It adds that "treatment is carefully supervised by a doctor to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks." Tanning beds, unsupervised sunlamps, and treatment with no physician involvement do not fit this clinical setting.

    Reference: FDA — Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation — Medical uses of UV radiation (phototherapy)

  7. 7A client asks how a Candida yeast infection develops. Which explanation is consistent with CDC information on fungal diseases?

    1. A. Candida normally lives on the body and causes symptoms when overgrown
    2. B. Candida is acquired by breathing in fungal spores from soil or dust
    3. C. Candida is acquired through scrapes from shrubs or plant matter
    4. D. Candida spreads mainly through contact with blood or body fluids

    Answer: A

    Explanation: CDC states: "Everyone has Candida in and on their body; it only causes symptoms when it grows out of control." Breathing in spores from soil or dust describes other fungal infections, and scrapes from plant matter describe sporotrichosis, so those causes do not apply to Candida.

    Reference: CDC — About Fungal Diseases — Common fungal infections — vaginal yeast infections; environmental fungi paragraphs

  8. 8A client says that noninvasive body contouring must be risk-free because no incision is made. Which FDA statement should guide the esthetician's protocol and response?

    1. A. Noninvasive body contouring is a medical procedure with benefits and risks
    2. B. Noninvasive body contouring is a cosmetic service outside FDA oversight
    3. C. Noninvasive body contouring is free of risk when no incision is involved
    4. D. Noninvasive body contouring produces lasting weight loss and health gains

    Answer: A

    Explanation: FDA advises: "Understand that while noninvasive body contouring may be performed in a variety of facilities, noninvasive body contouring is a medical procedure with benefits and risks." FDA reviews these devices before marketing, lists complications, and states that the procedure "will not result in weight loss or contribute to the health benefits associated with weight loss."

    Reference: FDA — Non-Invasive Body Contouring Technologies — Recommendations for patients

  9. 9An esthetician touches a client's draining lesion with an ungloved hand and then, without hand hygiene, touches the next client's face. By which route can pathogens reach the second client?

    1. A. Direct contact between the two clients
    2. B. Droplet spread from the respiratory tract
    3. C. Airborne spread over long distances
    4. D. Indirect contact through contaminated hands

    Answer: D

    Explanation: CDC defines the route: "Indirect transmission involves the transfer of an infectious agent through a contaminated intermediate object or person." It adds that "the contaminated hands of healthcare personnel are important contributors to indirect contact transmission". The clients never touched each other, and no respiratory route is involved, so this is indirect contact transmission.

    Reference: CDC — Review of Scientific Data Regarding Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings — I.B.3.a.ii. Indirect contact transmission

  10. 10A day spa is writing its protocol for the hot tub used before body treatments. According to CDC, what is the maximum water temperature for a hot tub?

    1. A. 98.6°F (37°C)
    2. B. 104°F (40°C)
    3. C. 100°F (38°C)
    4. D. 110°F (43°C)

    Answer: B

    Explanation: CDC's guidance for hot tub users states: "Water temperature should not be higher than 104°F (40°C)." The spa protocol should keep the water at or below this limit.

    Reference: CDC — What You Can Do to Stay Healthy in Hot Tubs — Steps to protect yourself and others

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • Scientific Concepts (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%)
    • 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)

How to use these free practice questions

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These are independent study questions, not actual examination items. For examination requirements and official information, view National Esthetics Advanced Practice Theory Examination details.